Chandler

by Laurelin Paige

  Slowly, she turns back to face me. She bites her lip as she deliberates. After what seems like an eternity, she nods toward the room at the end of the hall. “This way. The Executive Lounge should be quiet at this time of day.”

  As she’s predicted, the lounge is practically empty. A couple talks quietly in the corner. In the center of the room, a man in a suit works on his laptop, his headphones leaking strains of something heavy and metal.

  She chooses a seat near the doors. “In case I need to escape,” she says, and I’m glad she’s able to joke until I look at her expression and realize she’s not joking at all.

  “You’re perfectly safe. I promise.” I won’t touch her because that’s not what she wants, but even as I pull out my reports from my briefcase, I remember the touch of her skin against mine. Can you blame me for brushing my hand against hers as I pass her a copy?

  She shivers at the contact. Then she pulls her phone from her purse and swipes at the screen. “I’m setting an alarm. You’ve got fifteen. Better get started.”

  Twenty minutes later I’ve laid out the entire plan and still haven’t been kicked to the curb. When her alarm went off, she stopped it without any excuses or commentary and slid her phone back in her purse, letting me finish. Now that I’m done, she sits back in her chair and puts the report that she’s now studied scrupulously on the table between us.

  “It’s a good proposal,” she says, unceremoniously. “If Warren doesn’t go for it, he’s a fool.”

  But does it make you happy? “It’s not the scenario you’d hoped for.”

  “The scenario I’d hoped for was unrealistic, and to be honest, my father doesn’t have the vision that Nathan Murphy has, according to what you’ve told me. This is a much better move.” She studies her finger as she traces the edge of the papers in front of her. “It’s my best shot at being involved with Werner Media, and I’m grateful.”

  I let out a breath, slowly, relieved that she’s on board, but not wanting to let on how relieved. “It’s the least I can do,” I start to say.

  But at the same time, she says, “Why are you doing this?” Her brow is wrinkled, and her eyes scald me with their burning curiosity.

  The heat behind her gaze is too hot, and I have to look away. “Lots of reasons, actually. It’s the best move for Werner Media.” I busy myself with putting my reports back in my briefcase. “It’s the best move for Accelecom, in my opinion. It’s a good move for Pierce Industries, an even better move for me. It’s about time I take more of an active interest in the business.”

  “It is a very strategic move for your career.”

  “I think so.”

  She crosses her arms over her chest. “Why else are you doing this? Why are you doing this for me?” From the look on her face, I can tell I’m going to have to give her a lot more than this. I’m going to have to be a lot more vulnerable.

  It’s hard, but I force myself to meet her gaze. “Because no matter what I think I am or what I want to be, I’m still a nice guy at heart. And I haven’t been very nice to you. I want to apologize for that, and this is the best way I know to do that.”

  Her features relax ever so slightly. “Then you don’t think I’m a spy anymore?”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “What made you change your mind? Did you realize your brother really did give those financial reports to my father?” There’s no malice in her questions. She simply wants to know.

  I shake my head. “I didn’t even ask. I decided I didn’t need to. I decided I trusted you.” She chuckles to herself, which was definitely not the reaction I was hoping for. “What’s so funny?”

  She shrugs, sobering. “I guess, nothing. Just. I didn’t even defend myself. I ran. I’m exactly like my mother. How on earth can you trust someone who runs?”

  There’s an ache in her voice, and I want nothing but to erase it. Want to take the blame. I lean forward, reaching for her hand before I remember myself and rest mine between us. “Why wouldn’t you run? I bullied you.”

  “You only asked me a question.”

  “I asked it in front of everyone.” I cringe as I remember how shitty I was when I interrogated her. “It wasn’t fair. And I was aggressive. I didn’t provide a safe space to talk it through.”

  She lays her hands on the table. “I was afraid I’d answer, and you still wouldn’t believe me.”

  “Then you didn’t trust me either.” Like her, I’m not being spiteful—I’m working it out.

  “I wanted to. But everything was moving so fast. It felt like I was waiting for the other shoe to drop. When you said what you did, I thought, well, that’s about right.”

  “Maybe I felt a bit like that too.” Or more than a bit. Wasn’t that why I refused to acknowledge I was falling for her? Wasn’t that why I was so eager to latch onto Hudson’s accusations? It feels so good to admit it. It feels so good to admit all of it.

  “I’m sorry I ran,” she says.

  “I’m sorry I accused.”

  “I didn’t spy on you for my stepmother.”

  “I shouldn’t have let you leave.” I should never let her leave again.

  Her hand is so close, and when I stretch my fingers out to brush against hers, she brushes back. Warmth shoots up my arm, spreading through me like lightning. Though I’m trying to stay focused on her needs, I’d hoped—of course, I’d hoped—that part of what she needed was me. Touching her like this, the yearning grows. I want her so fucking much. And she feels so within my grasp.

  Then she says the words that kill everything. “Chandler, even if this plan of yours works out, I’m still headed back to the UK. It’s hard enough to have a relationship when we work like we do. Long-distance would be near impossible.”

  I close my eyes for the briefest second. “I know.” I’m not keen on long-distance either. There is a way that she doesn’t have to leave, but if she doesn’t see it, then I have to think she doesn’t want to. I test the ground one more time, to be sure. “At least you’ll have what you really want—the job.”

  “Right. The job.” She pulls her hand back, and that answers everything. She might have developed feelings for me, but the most important thing to her is still her career. It’s what I should have expected.

  Then why does it hurt so goddamn bad?

  She clears her throat. “Thank you. This means a lot that you would do this. You can expect my help in any way you need.”

  For that, I’m glad. Not only because I want to spend as much time with her as possible, but also because I need her brain and her smart ideas. “Don’t thank me yet. We have a lot to iron out, and we still have to win over Warren.”

  “You’ll win Warren. I guarantee it. You sell him the way you sold me, and it’s a hole-in-one.”

  I’m breaking inside, holding on to any scrap she’ll give me like a starving dog. “You really think so?”

  “I know so. You’re really turning into the guy I’ve only seen in private. You should be proud.” My cock stiffens at the reference to our sexual exploration. A vision of her naked and bent across the table flashes in my mind. It’s possible she’d still be up for more of that, isn’t it? She may be leaving, but we could spend the time before that having fun.

  Except, holy shit—I’m not interested. I mean, I’m interested, but the idea of being with her now when I know it isn’t going to last…

  Well, that just sounds like torture.

  Remembering Genny’s earlier words about not letting me in, I think she’s probably on the same page.

  “We still have two days until the meeting.” I stand, fiddling nervously with the handle of my briefcase. “Should I get your number so we can talk tomorrow?” It’s funny, after everything we’ve been through, I’ve still never gotten this from her.

  But she surprises me with her response. “Already done.”

  I glance toward the table, wondering if she’s written something down for me when I wasn’t paying attention. There’s nothing. “What do you mean?”<
br />
  With a mischievous smile, she gestures to my pocket. “Look at your phone.”

  I set my case down and pull out my cell. I flip through the contact screens looking first under Fasbender and finding nothing. Then I look under G, and there it is—Genny—followed by her complete number including country code.

  I’m confused for a beat. When—?

  Then I know. “You programmed this in that night in your hotel room.” The night she’d said I’d left it in the bathroom.

  “I can’t believe you didn’t notice,” she says somewhat shyly.

  “Obviously, I’m an idiot.” I was an idiot the whole time.

  “I won’t argue.”

  I walk her to her room, and though I long to kiss her good night, I don’t. When I walk away, part of me is proud of myself for showing restraint.

  The other part of me thinks I need a kick in the ass, and I can’t help but feel like I’m still the biggest idiot of all time.

  20

  Friday morning, I’m downstairs early, despite staying up late to put the finishing touches on my proposal. Scratch that—our proposal. By now, it’s as much Genevieve’s idea as it is mine. We’ve both occupied the last two days in my office, buried in data and financial forecasts. Every second with her has been a torturous gift. I’ve never spent so much time with one person, from dusk until dawn, and then left yearning for more. Never spent so many nights completely blue-balled.

  “Do you have the copies of the slideshow?” I ask when she walks into the boardroom holding her purse and two to-go cups. I flip through the handouts I already have. “I’ve got the projections for the next five years, the first and second quarter reports, the balance sheets. I can’t find the slideshow.”

  I must sound anxious because Genny says, “I think I maybe shouldn’t have brought you coffee. And yes, I have the reports in my bag.”

  “That’s for me?” I take the cup without the lipstick mark, wishing for a moment I could taste her one last time before reminding myself I need to focus. I chug half of the cup down. “Thank you. I needed that.”

  She laughs. “I’m not sure you needed that at all. Now your brother’s going to blame me when you have a massive stroke in the middle of your presentation.” She sets down her cup and looks me over. “Here, let me fix you.”

  “What?” I glance down at myself, but she’s already in front of me, straightening my tie.

  “There. Much better.” Her hand lingers on my chest, and surprisingly, it calms me down. I suppose it would be inappropriate to ask her to keep her palm there throughout this meeting, but the idea crosses my mind.

  “I’m going to make a fool of myself,” I tell her, needing to be honest. “Warren’s going to laugh at my idea, and Hudson…” I can’t even think about how disappointed Hudson will be if this falls through.

  “Shh.” Genny yanks once more on my tie. “You’ve got this. Hudson won’t be anything but proud.”

  She’s wrong. I don’t have anything because I don’t have her.

  But with her confidence, I do feel like I might be able to manage this meeting. I’m about to tell her how much I’ve appreciated her—and by tell her, I mean try my hardest not to stare at her lips—when Hudson arrives.

  Genny immediately jumps away from me and starts busying herself with passing out reports to each of the chairs around the table.

  “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting anything.” Hudson’s tone is chiding, as though he’s telling me my head better be in the game.

  I ignore the way that makes me bristle. He’s trusted me, but I still have to prove myself. “Nope. We’re just finishing the setup. How many people do we expect here?”

  “The three of us, Nathan Murphy, Warren, plus he’s bringing along three of his advisors. I’ve also asked Norma to sit in. Then there’s Edward Fasbender and whoever he’s bringing.”

  “Just Hagan,” Genevieve pipes in. “My brother.”

  I mentally total the attendants. Ten people, not counting myself. I can do this. I can do this.

  “I’ll go back to my office and escort our guests down here when they arrive,” Hudson says. “Patricia will be bringing up coffee and refreshments any minute now. The doughnuts are not for you.”

  Great, now I want a doughnut. “I don’t like to eat before a presentation anyway,” I lie.

  “Do you need anything?”

  I stumble on an answer. I’m pretty sure he’s really asking for some words to assure him I’m capable of pulling this whole thing off. What am I supposed to say when I don’t know myself?

  Genny comes to my rescue. “We’re good, Hudson.” And, again, because she believes it, so do I.

  Hudson leaves as Trish arrives with the refreshment cart. A few minutes after that, Norma shows up with her part-time assistant/husband, Boyd.

  There will be eleven people now. I can do this.

  “I checked those numbers one more time this morning,” Norma says. “They’re solid. Feel free to call on me if you want any further explanation.”

  “I’m sure she never has to tell Hudson to call on her,” I mutter to Genny.

  “And Hudson’s run a million meetings. I bet the first time he gave a big presentation, Norma, or someone, was there saying the same to him.”

  “Hey, this isn’t my first rodeo.” I’ve run a boardroom several times before. Five times, at least. Okay, twice. Once for my graduate project and once when Hudson was on paternity leave.

  “Well, it’s my first rodeo. Which is why you’re doing most of the talking.” We’d agreed beforehand that I’d run the show since it was my company hosting.

  A bustle is heard down the hallway. Boyd peeks out around the doorframe. “They’re on their way.” He claps a hand on my shoulder and whispers, “If you’re nervous, picture them naked. Just don’t picture Norma naked or I’ll kick your ass.”

  “Got it.” It’s the perfect thing for him to say because it makes me laugh, and I’m still smiling when Warren and the other guests walk in shortly after.

  The next few minutes are spent on introductions and getting settled. “Thank you for taking this meeting, Mr. Werner,” I say when it’s my turn to greet him. “Especially on short notice.” Warren and his wife used to be good friends with my mother. It’s strange to see him now in a formal setting when I remember him best in a Santa costume at our family Christmas party.

  “I’ve known you your whole life, Chandler,” he says, shaking my hand. “It’s time you started calling me Warren.”

  “Thank you, sir. Warren, sir.” Doesn’t feel any less odd.

  “My daughter was quite enthusiastic about your proposal. Celia is very invested in the continued success of Werner Media, so when she came to me about meeting with you, I have to say, I was intrigued.”

  Hudson comes up behind me. “I hope we can keep your interest, Warren. Let’s get started, shall we?”

  The room quiets. My hands are sweaty, my throat is dry. All eyes are on me.

  Showtime.

  From the back of the room, Genny gives me a thumbs-up and a smile.

  Then I’m ready. “Warren, let me begin by saying kudos. You have built a solid corporation with a business model that many of your competitors long to replicate. The whole of the media industry has their eyes on you as you pick a successor to take the helm.”

  The room nods in silent agreement. There’s no one here who will disagree that Warren has done his job fantastically well.

  “Naturally, you’d look to Accelecom, a giant in its own right.”

  Edward smiles at the praise, and Hagan sits up straighter in his seat.

  I continue. “A merger between the two companies would strengthen your presence on two continents. The family connection has also got to be appealing.

  “I’d strongly caution a merger, however. The time and resources that would be expended during the process would weaken both companies. Instead, I’d like you to consider a three-point alliance.”

  I go on to explain in detail a
n alliance between Accelecom and Werner Media, with Nathan Murphy taking over the board upon Warren’s retirement. “With both companies performing at the top of their game, the overall benefit to each entity is illustrated in these projection reports I’ve handed out.”

  I’m careful not to look directly at Edward or Hagan for fear of finding disapproval in their gazes. I’d suggested bringing Edward in on our ideas earlier, but Genny had worried his opposition would be detrimental. So, instead, he’s hearing for the first time that his daughter and I don’t think he’d be the right person to take over for Warren Werner.

  So I’m wary when he interrupts to ask, “You mentioned a three-point alliance? Where’s the third company?”

  And here’s the pièce de résistance. The component that gives this idea any credence. Hudson will either flip his shit or want to give me an executive bonus.

  He’s the one I look to when I answer. “Pierce Industries.”

  Everyone buzzes. Pierce Industries has been primarily focused on finance, real estate, and computer technology. We haven’t ever even hinted about moving into media, so this news is a surprise and everyone has a reaction.

  Hudson, alone, is unreadable.

  I wait for the room to settle before going on. “Accelecom has the technology to bring about a cable network that would compete with Google Fiber, but neither they nor Werner Media have the money to fund such an endeavor. That’s where Pierce Industries would enter the picture. I’ve already begun the groundwork for opening a new division, one devoted completely to the expansion of hardware across the country. With our resources, Accelecom’s technology, and Werner Media’s programming, we’re looking at the potential of creating an empire that dominates the industry.”

  The presentation goes on for another hour. Nathan Murphy delivers his ideas for Werner Media, Genny speaks to how an alliance will benefit Accelecom, and I dive deeper into what I see as Pierce Industries’ role.

  By the time we’ve finished, a lot of information has been presented, and I expect Warren will need time to think it over. “Why don’t we schedule a follow-up meeting to—”