Page 2 of Heart Like Yours
“Brandon isn’t here.”
I had already briefed him on the situation with Brandon before and after my last conversation with the editor. While Evalyn has taken over the day-to-day leading of the team, she’s not allowed to have performance management conversations with anyone. That falls to myself, our human resources team, or Garrett.
“Good thing Andrea in HR already has three interviews lined up for next week,” he mumbles, reaching to pull out my seat for me before taking his beside me at the head of the table.
“Paige, do you want something?” Eva asks, using her napkin to motion toward the pastries. My stomach tightens at the idea of eating right now. I offer her a polite smile and hold up my cup.
“I’m good with my coffee for now. I’ll pick from the leftovers after the meeting.”
Eva’s eyes narrow slightly, but she simply nods and grabs a slice of coffee cake to take to her spot.
“All right, let’s get this show on the road so we’re not holding anyone up,” Garrett starts, opening the notes app on his tablet and pulling up our shared checklist to help keep us on track.
“First up, Donovan.” Garrett turns to face the team’s lead designer. “When can we expect a mock-up for the Ivy Rose covers?”
“I have two done, but I got a third idea over the weekend that I’m finishing up. I’ll pop by and show you before I send them to her,” Donovan answers without missing a beat.
Garrett nods while I check off that topic.
“What else is on your plate for the week?” I ask.
“I finished going through the new requests this morning and sorting those for the team. We have some social media graphics to put together before Wednesday and two custom covers that need finalizing this week.”
I look up from my tablet and meet his gaze. “Do you need anything from us?”
“Nope!” he says enthusiastically. “Pretty low-key week. I’ll probably actually get a jump start on next week’s workload.”
Nodding, I update the notes while Garrett moves on.
“How are we on the two fantasy romance book edits?”
“I should be finished with mine by tomorrow,” Asher states.
“I’m a week ahead of schedule on mine,” Clay answers but looks at Asher. “It’s looking like I’ll be done by the end of next week.”
Eva catches my eye from across the table and she doesn’t need to speak to know our thoughts are on the same page.
“Can either of you jump on a project with a three-week deadline for a thriller?”
The two share a quick look that I don’t miss before Asher nods. “I can start it later this week after I send my current work back to the author.”
Thanking him, I jot down to send him the files and look up just in time to catch Asher’s weary expression.
“Should we anticipate any more last-minute projects added to either of our workloads?” he asks hesitantly.
My lips pinch together, knowing they’re referring to Brandon. They already helped meet the deadline for two projects he dropped the ball on over the past two months, which led to his final warning. While I carefully think over my answer, Garrett clears his throat and leans forward, bracing his forearms on the table before I can think of something.
His suit tightens around his biceps, taunting me once more with thoughts of what my boss would look like shirtless. I tear my gaze away and back across the table.
“While there’s always the possibility of last-minute changes, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure it’s not a regular occurrence,” Garrett answers smoothly.
Asher and the others nod in appreciation, but the silence lingers awkwardly in the room. Clearing my throat, I catch Asher’s attention.
“If we end up needing to move projects to you or your team’s workload, you will have my help in whatever way possible.”
“Got it,” he says, offering me a dip of his chin.
“Next up,” Garrett chimes in, changing the subject and keeping us moving. “Sam and Eva, everything on track for the Contemporary Romance edits?”