Page 3 of Heart Like Yours
We move on, going through deadlines and upcoming projects to make sure everyone has the time and resources they need. By the end of the hour, they’re all antsy to get out of here.
“Last thing before we let you go,” I say, smirking as I glance around the room. “We are just over a month out from the officeHalloween party. I will be sending you all a list of possible dates. If you all could help me find out which date and time would work best for the rest of the team and get back to me by the end of the week, that would be great.”
Sam grins at me from across the table. “My favorite time of year is officially here.”
“Yeah, we’re keeping the punch away from you this time, though,” Eva teases.
“I’d like to see you try. That punch was the reason we started Halloween Karaoke and you loved it.”
Eva looks at me and smirks. “I did love getting the embarrassing videos.”
I roll my eyes but laugh. Sam was a handful last Halloween, that’s for sure. But it was also the first time in months I’d seen him let loose and have fun after his ex-boyfriend left him.
“Does anyone have anything we missed?” I ask, ready to dismiss them so we can all get going with our week. Everyone shakes their heads, gathering their notepads or tablets and filing out of the conference room.
Garrett stays seated beside me, waiting for the last employee to leave before he speaks.
“I have a conference call to jump on in five minutes. Are you free after lunch for a one-on-one?”
“Yes, I don’t have anything major on my calendar this afternoon.”
Or ever anymore.I bite back the thought and gather my things, refusing to look at him as I pack up.
“Let me know whenever you’re ready and I can make it work,” I tell him and walk away even as a little voice in the back of my mind whispers to linger as long as possible.
He’s my boss.The daily reminder rings through my head and is enough to keep my feet moving toward my office where I drop into the chair with a sigh. I open my notes, settling in to get lostin updating the team’s shared calendar and checklists with the latest timelines before catching up on emails.
It’s mindless work, all tasks and responses I could easily do in my sleep at this point. Ever since Evalyn took over more of the daily management tasks in hopes of building her experience with the company, it feels as if I’m only here to sign off on things.
I’m used to being busy. Hell, I thrive in chaos.
Two years ago, when I accepted the position as the Publishing Director at SweetHeart Publishing, it was like a dream come true. I had just graduated college and was filling out countless applications all over the country when I got the call for the interview. Within hours of the interview with the founder of the company, Garrett Walker himself, there was a job offer in my inbox.
However, celebrating didn’t last long. Everyone outside of my best friend, Lilly, was dead set on downplaying my accomplishment or trying to convince me not to go.
It’s such a new company. That’s why they hired someone like you, who has little to no experience.
They must not have anyone else interested in the position.
He only hired you because you’re pretty.
The founder doesn’t even have a background in publishing. It’s only a matter of time before that company goes bankrupt.
It would be smarter if you worked somewhere more established for a few years to build your résumé.
With everyone adamantly telling me that taking this job was the wrong choice, I almost listened. I had gone from such a high point after getting the offer, to doubting my entire life within the span of an hour. Had it not been for Lilly, I wouldn’t be here today. She was the only person who reminded me of everything I did to deserve the job offer. That I was the one who went for my bachelor’s degree. I did unpaid internships and side freelancing jobs.
Lilly showed up with party hats, a bottle of tequila, and packing supplies, ready to celebrate. She barely made it through my door when I asked her if she thought I was making the wrong choice or if I was making the job a bigger deal than it actually was. Her words that night still run through my head at the end of long days like today when I’m doubting the work I do.
“You busted your ass off to get here. You’re allowed to celebrate your accomplishment, to shout it from the mountain tops, and enjoy this win. Some people will see your success as a reminder of their own shortcomings and try to make excuses for why you’re surpassing them. They’ll blame it on luck or downplay your success because they can’t get over their own jealousy. Butyoudid the hard work,youdid the late nights and the long days.Youearned this.” With that, she handed me another shot, clinked her glass with mine, and began packing for me.
Now, it’s been two years since I took this role and while I love working for the company, sometimes I can’t help but wonder if I could be doing more.
Sighing, I twist in my seat to crack my back before finishing up my response to one of our authors. After closing the tabs, I’m about to start planning the Halloween party when someone clears their throat. I push away from my desk with a startled yelp and find my boss leaning against the doorframe.
“Jeez, Garrett. Were you trying to scare me to death?” I scowl, covering my racing heart with my hand.
He laughs. Pushing off the doorway, he slowly saunters across my office and sets a small, pink plastic bag in front of me.