Page 48 of On the Fly
Chapter 23
She made it a short travel day and stopped just the other side of Albuquerque, New Mexico, hoping to get in some catch-up time with her work projects. She’d found a nice hotel and settled in to work a bit before she’d head out and grab dinner. She couldn’t bring herself to open her email until she got some work done. The two she’d read this morning hadn’t boded well for what might appear after another six hours of being away. She didn’t have the wherewithal to work while being upset, so she avoided that altogether for a few hours.
After wrapping up her social media posts and projects for the day, she breathed deep and bit the bullet on her work email. A sigh escaped when there was only one additional email—a reply from Erik.
Hi, Emma,
What on earth are you doing driving across country? I can’t even imagine how long that’s going to take you. Let me know if you need anything. In fact, call me when you get this tonight. I want to discuss a work-related topic with you. My number is below. Don’t worry about the time.
Stay safe out there,
Erik
Emma sighed. She’d hoped to avoid the entire Jorgensen family for the week it took her to travel, but when a new boss wants you to call about business, your options rapidly disintegrate. She could do this. She could put up the walls she had brought to the negotiation table as an attorney. Better to do it now than after eating. She drew in a full breath and let it out as she entered his number, drew in another breath as she hit send. It rang three times before anyone answered.
“Erik Jorgensen.” The power in his voice reminded Emma of Ander, and it took her a second to get her words out.
“Hi, Erik. It’s Emma. You wanted me to call you.” There. She’d done it, perfectly professional.
His tone softened when he spoke again. “Hey, Emma. Thanks for calling me. Are you okay?” Did he know about Ander sending her home and breaking things off? Or did he mean him being her boss now instead of the CEO or maybe it was just a pleasant inquiry about her travels? She truly didn’t know how to respond.
“You’re traveling by yourself. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
“Oh, yes. I’m fine. I’m in New Mexico today. But don’t worry, I’ve got my department in order and we’re moving forward on all the projects that had been set in motion already.”
“I’m not worried about your department. What made you pick driving over flying?”
Emma let out a little chuckle. “Um, severe flying phobia. The flight out there was more than enough to make a week-long trip cross country seem enjoyable.” Just the thought of being in the airline seat made her nervous.
“Oh, gotcha. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about that. I’ll have to go back and forth from DC until I can wrap up my current position. That would be impossible without flying. Do you need my assistant to help you get reservations for the route? I’d be happy to help. You should expense the travel since you were coming out here for the company meetings and stayed to help out,” Erik offered.
“I’ve got it covered but thank you.” It was her fear, she’d pay her own way. She cringed at the stubbornness of her own thinking. Would she shoot herself in her foot just to prove a point no one would even notice she’d proved? “I’ll look into how to expense it when I get back. Thank you for the offer.
“You’re welcome.” Erik cleared his throat. “I know I said to call to talk about work, but I lied—just a little bit. I didn’t figure you’d call if I said I wanted to talk about Ander—”
“Erik—”
“No. Hear me out. We don’t know each other well, but my mom has sung your praises since before the family meeting last weekend. And I heard about how you impacted Ander this past week. That’s new. I don’t know what happened between the time you found the safe and I got there…” Erik paused and Emma waited. “That’s another lie. I know exactly what happened. He read that letter from our dad. I don’t understand what went through his head or why he’s been an absolute bear since then. We’re working on that. I guess all I wanted to tell you was that it wasn’t you. It’s definitely all him.” Erik gave a harsh chuckle, proving he didn’t find anything funny about the situation.
He cleared his throat again, maybe a nervous gesture. “I sat with the PR department today and you’re a truly valuable member of the Rora team.” The topic change kept Emma mute, wondering where he was going with all this. “I don’t want you to quit. I’ll understand if you do but please consider staying. Also…” Erik drew in a long audible breath and blew it out. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. He’s a pain in my ass, especially now, but when the time comes, consider giving Ander a second chance.”
Emma waved the hand not holding her phone in the air in exasperation. “I’m not leaving my job.” She wouldn’t give Ander the satisfaction. “And he didn’t leave any room for a second chance, Erik. He made his decree about how we’d proceed, even if it makes no sense. He’s the one calling the shots.”
“Well, he thinks he is. That’s for sure,” Erik mumbled. “Ander and I have always been close, even though we’re not the closest in age. He and my dad… I don’t want to talk out of school about him, but they’re so much alike that they never understood each other.” Erik heaved a sigh before continuing. “He’ll want a second chance, once he clues in to his stupidity, trust me. When he grovels, feel free to kick him while he’s down.” He chuckled, but it lacked exuberance. “I’d really appreciate if you’d get one in for me. But maybe…maybe see where it goes from there. If my mom is even half right, then I didn’t want to not say something.”
She waited for him to continue, but the line went silent for so long she glanced at the screen to make sure they were still connected.
“Okay.” What else was she going to say? Erik couldn’t be more wrong. She couldn’t envision any scenario where Ander pleaded with her to take him back. He hadn’t lacked any sort of clarity on their last encounter. Erik would figure that out eventually without her convincing him. Besides, how could she take someone back who could hurt her so deeply?
“Good. My brotherly job is done. As for my new job over PR, we’ll get together via Skype sometime next week so you can catch me up on everything. Sound like a plan?”
“Yes, a plan.”
“Great. Thank you for calling me and listening when you didn’t have to. Have a good night.” His voice turned soft and filled with warmth and caring, which brought unexpected tears to her eyes.
“You too,” she whispered as she hit the end button. She sat stunned for a minute at the direction the conversation had taken. But thoughts of Ander, of him explaining and apologizing, seemed so far-fetched that her heart constricted, and it took all her effort to hold back the flood of tears. She stood up and blew out a breath, shook out her hands. She’d get something to eat and come back to the room, get a good night’s sleep. Everything would look better in the morning.
After her conversation with Erik and grabbing a bite to eat in town, she figured it was time someone knew where she was. She hadn’t called anyone when she’d started her travels, determined to put distance between her and Sacramento. But a woman on the road alone couldn’t be too careful. And as of this moment, the only living person aware of her position on the planet was Erik. Not good.
