Page 60 of Ten Rules for Faking It
They went into his office. Was she curious or wanting to know something in particular? He liked the idea that she might want to know more about him.
“Is this what you imagined yourself doing?” She leaned against his desk, much the way he had a few weeks ago when he’d run the promo idea by her and Stacey.
“No. Not really. I mean, not broadcast media in general. Communications, yes, but I never thought about the radio aspect of it.”Tell her. My dad owns the station, so I was given the opportunity to turn the place around as my final level of the jumping-through-hoops game.
“Now I just need some deep dark secrets,” she said, straightening.
His breath caught in his throat, but when she followed the statement with a laugh, he relaxed.
“I feel like everyone knows so much about me now, and I hardly know anyone,” she said, her tone quiet, almost reflective.
“Do you feel exposed?” He didn’t like the idea.
She shook her head. “Not as much as I thought I would. I’ve started to realize that being so introverted and nervous hasn’t just stopped people from getting to know me butmefrom getting to knowthem.”
Something like pride and affection mingled in his chest and filled his body with energy. Thiswasgood for Everly in ways he couldn’t have predicted.
“You’re a very special woman, Everly.”
Her breath hitched, and her gaze fastened on his like a magnet finding its mate. The words hung between them. He was afraid to speak because he didn’t want to take back what he believed so strongly, but he also didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable.
His phone buzzed, and Jane’s voice filled his office. “Line two for you, Mr. Jansen.”
“I’ll let you get back to work,” Everly said, leaving the office.
Chris’s heart rate doubled, and he took a few deep breaths before picking up the phone.
“Jansen,” he said.
“It’s me,” his father said curtly.
Chris sighed. “What’s up, Dad?”
“I axed the publishing company. Legal has started the paperwork,” his dad said without preamble.
Shit. What? There were five companies under the Harco Media Entertainment umbrella—the radio station, an ad agency, a publishing house, a digital software company, and a cybersecurity firm. Chris was doing his best to unite all of them because of their commonalities and hoped to amalgamate them in some way rather than getting rid of any of them.
“Why would you do that?” He gripped the phone so tightly, the skin around his knuckles went white.
“Let me think. What was that reason again? Oh, right. I own the places; I wanted it gone. It was a conflict of interest with another company I’m looking at.”
Chris breathed in and out slowly, through his nose. “These five are under my control right now. You had no right.”
“I didn’t call to argue this,” his father interrupted. “Just sharing the information before the emails came through. Didn’t want you to be surprised. I know how you like your communications.” His dad laughed like Chris’s background, education, and interest in that field were a joke.
Less than six months. He was almost there.As long as Dad follows through and doesn’t screw you over.He hated the thought. His mother’s words from earlier ran through his brain. Was he happy? Professionally, if his dad weren’t involved, he would be. Which brought up the question of whether or not he could ever really find his place when his father kept changing the playing field.
[20]
Everly yawned on her way into the station. She couldn’t keep up with her social life, which was a problem she’d never encountered. Both dates this week had been lacking in the entertainment, enjoyment, and interest categories. Her fourth candidate, Andy, had met her at the restaurant with an entourage. She hadn’t noticed at first, but when he kept looking around, she realized that he’d brought a group of friends. When he asked to introduce her to them, she’d faked a headache and cut the evening short.
Last night, curled up on her couch, alternating between reading, watching cooking shows, and searching animal shelters, had been her favorite night this week. She’d texted back and forth with Stacey and Chris. Chris had wondered if she was going to kickboxing, but she’d been too tired to go. She smiled now, remembering that she’d promised to kick his ass the next time they sparred. Maybe it was all talk, but she was looking forward to the next class and had asked Stacey to join them.
Everly stopped short when she got to the door of the conference room. Stacey was standing in front of the whiteboard where they sometimes jotted down ideas, an actual pointer in her hand.
She’d created a Final Four bracket of Everly’s dating life, going as far as calling itthe Road to the Final Two.
No one had noticed her standing in the doorway, eyes wide, fingers clenched around her purse. Their conversation buzzed through the room and her head as their voices pitched with excitement. Two of the station’s deejays argued that Andy should be this week’s choice. Kitty leaned back in her chair, tapping a pen against the table while she stared at the board.
