Page 56 of A Secret Chance
“Excuse me?” Lauren put on her red mittens and slid out of the booth. Baxter quickly got into his jacket and hat.
“Remember earlier? We said that we were putting aside business to be civil. We shook on it.”
How could Lauren forget?
“I do remember that.” She turned and yelled goodbye to Muriel. “I thought that we also just agreed that, right now, you are my opponent.
Baxter grinned. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. Our earlier deal is still good. That new one, it starts first thing Monday. It’s a business deal, and therefore, follows business hours.” He walked ahead of Lauren and opened the door for her. He gestured into the snowstorm like a butler, “M’lady.”
Lauren couldn’t help but smile. For someone so successful, Baxter was surprisingly playful. “You’re very good at finding loopholes.” Lauren pushed on his chest as she walked past him. “I’ll remember that – on Monday.”
Lauren slid her hand into the crook of Baxter’s arm, and they headed down Main Street.
“Do you like living here?” he asked.
The streets were deserted, the entire community was at the Winter Carnival. The shops were dark, the streetlamps were the only source of light. “I do,” she said. “It took a bit of time to get used to the relaxed pace here, but I’ve grown to love it.”
“Do you like living in the city?” she asked.
“I’ve never really thought about it.” Baxter’s shrug lifted Lauren’s hand with it. “I mean, not in the last few years anyway. I’ve been so focused on work. This might surprise you, but it’s not easy being the boss’s kid.”
Lauren rolled her eyes. “You’re kidding right?”
“See, that’s the problem. Everyone thinks that my position was handed to me on a silver platter, and I suppose that part is right, but it means that I have to prove myself to everyone. I have to work twice as hard as Thomas and Barry. I come in earlier than them, I leave later.”
“It’s a good thing you don’t have a family,” Lauren said. His woe is me rich boy sob story wasn’t landing with her.
“Oh, god. I can’t even imagine.”
Lauren’s pace slowed slightly as she found herself lost for words. The man had no idea what it was like to struggle. They walked a few paces in silence. “Lauren, did I say something wrong?” he asked.
“It’s just, I mean, I kind of understand where you’re coming from, but I also see it from the perspective of everyone in your company. You got the job without having to prove yourself.”
“Hold on there, I graduated top of my class.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Baxter confirmed.
“Ok, fine. But imagine all of those workers that have families, that can’t stay late. All those people who have to find daycare so that they can go to work to pay for their daycare.”
“I could say the same thing to you, Lauren,” Baxter said. He squeezed her hand with his arm.
Lauren took a deep breath. She had backed herself into a corner. “What about all those people who have to pay for their student loans then? Look, Baxter. I’m not discounting your struggle, but it might help your cause if you try to look at yourself from the other side.”
Baxter stopped and turned to face Lauren. “Why are you picking a fight with me?” he asked.
“I’m not.” Lauren put her hands on her hips.
“You had a full-ride scholarship. Barry told me. And you don’t have a family, so other than the fact that my dad’s name is on the letterhead, I don’t see how you and I are so different.”
“Wow,” Lauren said. “That’s your problem, Baxter. You have no idea.”
“What? You and your sister are both super successful. And look, your sister has a kid, so isn’t that a little like the pot calling the kettle black?”
“Let’s keep walking.” Lauren took a few steps and Baxter followed suit. Was it a lie if she didn’t correct him?
“Do you still play the guitar?” She needed to get the subject as far away from Charlotte and Tabitha as possible.
