Page 26 of Yes to The Holidays
I stood and stretched as well, leaving my suit coat on the chair. “Can you direct me to the men’s room? I don’t want to have to interrupt the meeting, and I’ve had quite a bit of coffee.”
Edward waved me on and showed me to the bathroom, not far from the conference room. “I’ll see you back in just a few minutes. I’m going to have my assistant be sure to have lunch sent in and let them know we’re ready.”
I waved him off and went to handle my business. After washing and drying my hands, I headed back out toward the conference room. My breath hitched as I looked down the hall to see Janie coming from the other direction. I smiled, confused but still happy to see her. But my smile melted away when her brow furrowed as she came toward me.
“Janie, hi, I uh–”
“Odin, I thought we said dinner later.” Her eyes darted around, and she lowered her voice. “Listen, I really like you, but this is a little awkward. How did you even know where I worked?”
I stared with my jaw slack. My heart sped up, so I swallowed hard, not knowing what else to do. “I didn’t. I, well–”
“Oh, Janie. There you are,” Edward called from behind me. “I see you’ve met our guest.” I looked over my shoulder and watched in horror as he got closer. Turning back, Janie’s eyes were wide, and her lips thin. “I had hoped to introduce you all to him together, but Janie, this is Odin Gärd. I’ll explain more when the others come. Let’s go in and have a seat.”
Edward corralled us inside. She looked like she had seen a ghost, and I was certain I looked the same. She took a seat on the opposite end of the table on the same side so I couldn't look directly at her, just her profile.
Edward refilled his coffee before sitting, and my phone buzzed on the table.
Janie: What the hell is happening?
Before I could reply, two men walked in, eyeing me but not slowing down.
Edward turned to welcome them. “Gentleman, coffee?”
They both declined and sat, notebooks and pens ready. I glanced down, and Janie had the same. Normally I’d be impressed they all still used paper for notes, but my mind was reeling as the pieces all fit together.
Edward got situated in his chair then began introducing everyone. “Odin Gärd, this is Donnie Turner, Head of Operations, Jack Steel, Head of Sales, and Janie Turner, Head of Finance.”
Jack was handsome, well-coiffed, and professional, what you’d expect from Sales. Donnie seemed very uptight, and while he dressed appropriately for his role, something about him didn’t sit well with me. Janie of course was professional and sexy all at the same time.
Glancing around, there seemed to be some problem with Donald. He kept watching Janie. It made me very uncomfortable.
Jack spoke up. “Eddie, you didn’t really explain what this was about. Is Odin a consultant?”
“Is that your real name?” Donnie asked.
Janie’s face whipped at Donnie, and if looks could kill, he’d be dead. I chuckled and answered. “Yes, both sides of my family come from Nordic backgrounds, and tradition is alive and well with my parents. To answer Jack’s more appropriate question, no. I am not a consultant.” Just as I answered, it all clicked. Donnie and Janie had the same last name, she said her ex, Donald, was caught cheating at work.Donnie is Donald.
Edward, or Eddie as they so casually referred to him, squirmed a bit in his seat. I leaned on the table with my forearms, realizing the staff was not aware of the upcoming transactions.
Edward cleared his throat. “You all know I’ve been gathering data the last few months and had some meetings with our attorneys. I’ve decided to sell.”
Gasps from everyone filled the quiet room. I looked over, and Janie’s neck and cheeks were flushed. Donnie dramatically dropped his pen while Jack tapped his against this notepad.
“Now everyone, you had to know this would happen sooner or later. I’m not a spring chicken and–”
“Are we going public?” Jack asked.
“No. In fact, that’s why we called this meeting. Odin and I have set up contracts for the purchase, and he has agreed to many thingsincludingnot going public or any reductions in force for at least two years. There’s always a few bumps with changing of hands, so he has agreed to give it time before any major changes are done. Even then, within the two to four period upon completion, anyone that is let go will have a very nice package to allow them time to find another role elsewhere.”
The two men flooded Edward and I with questions for the next hour, but Janie may as well not have been in the room. I glanced her way occasionally, especially when she scoffed at Donnie, or Donald. I couldn’t help but watch him watching her as Edward and Jack went back and forth. If she did look up, she’d roll her eyes and quickly look away. Not once did she make eye contact with me.
My focus was split, but I did my best to be a part of the conversation. My mind kept wandering to her. How must she be feeling? She spoke so highly of her boss and her job, and she just found out he’s selling the business, and to me of all people. And her ex-husband was in the room with her current lover, whether he knew it or not.
We stayed in the room for hours, eating lunch there as everyone continued to review the contracts Edward finally shared with them. It was after four when Edward finally called it a day.
“I know this was a lot to take in, but I made sure your jobs are safe, and the company will be in good hands. I didn’t enter this lightly, nor did Odin.” Edward stood and grabbed his suit coat. “I think that’s enough for the day. I’m getting a head start on traffic. Odin, I suggest you do the same.”
“Thank you, Edward.” Edward left, and the men stood, leisurely grabbing their notepads while Janie stood and practically ran from the room. Again, Donnie’s eyes followed her, and a little ball of rage formed in my chest. If there was any conflict of interest, it would be my hatred for this idiot I just met, not any relationship I had with Janie.
