Page 11 of Heart Like Yours
I glance up at his momentary silence and find his attention turned toward the windows.
“I see a way to help more people. By buying this company, I would be able to provide services to more than just those in the publishing industry. But it won’t all roll out at once. We focus on what we know—authors. Then we roll out in stages, making sure the company doesn’t take a bigger bite than we can chew.”
I nod, taking in everything he’s told me, and stare down at the folders once more.
“This seems like…” I sigh and reach up to play with the ends of my ponytail and avoid looking at Garrett. “Too much. Like I don’t deserve this job.”
His hand is back on top of mine, only this time he twists mine to clasp it and squeezes gently.
“I have watched you pour your heart and soul into this company—my company. If there is anyone in the building that deserves this, I promise that it’s you.”
My breath catches, looking down at our joined hands as I bite my bottom lip between my teeth. With another gentle squeeze of my hand, he talks again.
“What are your concerns?”
“It feels like this is being handed to me. Like some people might think it’s some sort of special treatment because we work so closely together,” I say softly, letting him in on one of the doubts that’s circling my mind. With one final squeeze of my hand, he releases it and sits back.
“With every business decision I make, I consult with my team of lawyers. On top of that, I work very closely with a partner based in New York. His family gave me my first official job, and now we have multiple investments together. He has looked over my proposal for the expansion, as well as yours and two others’ résumés.”
My eyes widen and Garrett nods with a small, reassuring smile.
“Leo has agreed to meet you before anything is made permanent, but based on the résumé alone, even he agreed that you are the best fit.”
My mouth opens and closes, and when I’m unable to find the words, I slap it closed and simply stare at him.
“Yes, you’re getting this opportunity because I know you.” He shrugs. “And while I might be biased, that doesn’t lessen the fact that you would be perfect for this.”
My heart pounds at his reassurances.
“Do you need an answer right now or can I take these home to read through?” I ask, holding up the folders.
“Please, take your time and read them through. If you need to meet again when you’re finished and go over anything, just send me a message and I will clear time for you.”
I open my mouth to say something, but the phone ringing on his desk interrupts me. Having forgotten everything outside of the office, it startles a gasp from my lips and I spring to my feet.
“It’s fine. Gwen will answer it and take a message.” He chuckles, reminding me of his assistant and everyone else beyond these walls. Garrett stands, placing himself in front ofme, and all I can do is stand still and tilt my head back to hold his gaze.
“I’m serious,” he whispers vehemently. “You’re the perfect fit.”
His eyes bore into mine as if wishing they could pierce the words directly into my soul. My heart thumps heavily at the intensity of the moment as a traitorous thought crosses my mind.
For you?
The words bounce in my head and I force myself to step back, shaking away the intrusive thought about my boss. There’s enough to think about right now. I don’t need to add inappropriate ones about him to that list.
“Thank you,” I mumble, clutching the folders tightly to my chest and moving toward the door.
“I’ll see you Monday?” Garrett calls out and I pause in the doorway to glance over my shoulder.
“Of course.”
Garrett nods and clears his throat. “Let me know when you made it home safely.”
“I always do,” I say with a smile, dropping my hand and finally leaving to gather my things to go home.
The first time he asked that of me, we had stayed way past normal working time and I assumed it was something he said out of reflex since it was so late. So not wanting to bother my boss so close to midnight, I shrugged it off. Only, by the time I was home, changed, curled up into bed and about to fall asleep, Garrett had texted me half a dozen times and called me twice. He had thought the worst and was two seconds away from pulling my address from my personnel file when I texted him back.
So now, whether it’s done out of habit so he doesn’t worry or because of how close we’ve gotten over the last few years,whenever I work late, I always make sure he knows when I’ve made it home.