Page 24 of Every Good Thing
A confident professional replaces the nervous Lauren of moments ago. I like her much better. She goes over health benefits, life insurance, vacations, and personal time. She gives detailed answers to my questions and elaborates on stock options and financial planning—incentives the bank provides its staff.
The proposed salary is nearly three times what I make now, but I’m not surprised.
Spare no expense is the Riley family motto.
“We’ve launched our new charitable giving program. Dad calls it The Lauren Project,” she says, rolling her eyes. “We want to make giving easy and support the charities that matter most to our work family. It’s an automatic payroll deduction for your favorite charity that we match every pay cycle.”
“That’s generous.”
“We value our community roots and love supporting local charities. Dad claims it’s the reason we’ve been so successful. Karma, I guess.”
I nod, impressed. “You used to say you’d never work for Riley Trust.” Nothing personal. Shit.
“I didn’t appreciate it then. Didn’t appreciate many things… I thought it was all about numbers and software, but it’s about people. Relationships and connections are imperative to a positive work environment—that’s the part I love. It’s my job to nurture that for Riley Trust.”
Her soft smile stirs memories of why I was drawn to her in the first place. Everyone wanted Lauren Riley back then. Her world felt larger than life, yet she was the girl next door—sweet, beautiful, and friendly. It surprised everyone that she chose to be with me, me most of all.
Sitting across from her, that familiar feeling of disbelief returns. “Why me, Lauren? Why now?”
“Our head of security is retiring, and he recommended you,” she says quickly. She expected this question. “Remember Captain Lawrence Tenor?”
“My former training officer.”
“He heard that you might be looking for a change.”
I don’t like people discussing my private matters, though it doesn’t surprise me. News travels fast in law enforcement, and my captain knows of my recent concerns. I’ve requested fluff assignments lately because I no longer feel confident going on calls. It’s clearer to me by the day that I need this job. “A coincidence, then?”
Her shoulders slump slightly. “Not entirely. We need people we trust, and your name still comes up often at family dinners. You were everything to me once—”
“Times have changed—”
“Ben, I know… but when your name came up, it felt like a chance to set things right. I’ve never forgiven myself for what happened. It’s good knowing that you’re okay. Might help me let go of the past.”
“You should. I’m better than okay. I have Lena and Ruthie. It’s been over a decade.”
“Oh, I’ve missed your directness.” She chuckles while catching the dampness under her eyes with her fingertips.
“Please, understand—I’m only here about the position. Not reconciliation. If the offer is genuinely extended, it should be because of my skills and experience, not because of us. I don’t want it if you’re the reason I’m here.”
“You’re here because you were recommended.” Her mouth twists into an awkward smile. “But I understand your reluctance. We will rarely run into each other here if that helps.”
“It does.” Pull it in.
Her jaw shifts like she’s been punched, compounding my regrets. Though still angry, I didn’t come here to hurt her. I barely think of her anymore. She’s locked away with everything else that I prefer to stay hidden.
But jobs like this don’t come up often.
Her translucent eyes skip over my expression, hunting for emotion she won’t find. Not because it isn’t there. She’s one reason I became so excellent at hiding it.
A beat passes.
“Okay. I understand and appreciate your honesty.” Lauren closes the binder. “We’re overdue for the tour.”
We traverse the extensive campus on a golf cart. It resembles Googleplex—peaceful, amenity-rich, and more resort-like than a business. Playgrounds, picnic tables, and gardens soften the glass and hard corners of the buildings. Small groups work on whiteboards under park-like shelters. Picnic blankets speck the expansive lawn, where people work on laptops while eating.
“We like to think of it as a home away from home,” she explains as she drives. “We have a small convenience store and pharmacy, cafeterias, fitness facilities, a hair salon, dry cleaner, massage therapists, a library, a daycare center, basketball and tennis courts, a swimming pool, and even a small movie theater on-site. Whatever our staff needs, it’s right here for them.”
The security offices delight me, though I don’t let on. Everything is state-of-the-art, from the full wall of touch screens revealing every corner of the property to the fingerprint readers and bomb detection equipment. Riley Trust Bank has better resources than the police department.
