by Leddy Harper
“Dane. Everyone here calls me by my first name.”
She nodded but didn’t correct herself. “I would really like to get to work, but I don’t know what you need me to do. Is there some kind of training I should start on?”
“Dane,” I repeated. “Call me Dane.”
I couldn’t explain it, but I needed some sort of normalcy with her. It was a ridiculous notion, considering I’d only known her for a little over a day, and honestly, I didn’t know her at all.
“Is there something for me to do, Dane?”
The uneasiness was still there, but I could tell she was trying. The corner of her lip quirked up into the slightest smirk, and her tone held a note of teasing.
“Sure is, Eden.” I gave in to my own grin and settled a bit. “As you already know, when companies are faced with bankruptcy or closing, they call me. I go in and help them change things in order for them to stay open and operating, and for them to understand how to keep doing so successfully. I invest money into the company and hold the decision-making authority. I pretty much buy the business for a limited amount of time.”
She kept her eyes on me, her nod urging me along as I spoke.
“I do this, in the event the company doesn’t succeed, to prevent the owners from selling off its parts and pocketing the profit. If that happens and the organization needs to be chopped up and sold off, any remaining profit goes to the employees. But that’s only happened a handful of times. I pick and choose which companies I bail out for that reason. I won’t take on one that’s too far gone. And my payout at the end of the contract is based upon my initial investment, plus the success of the company. That’s where you come in.”
I waited for her acknowledgment before continuing.
“I have too many prospective options coming in for me to research them all on my own. I outsourced that part once, but it ended up screwing me in the end, telling me ventures were solid returns when they weren’t. I was taking on companies with far too many risks, and it cost me too much money. I won’t make that mistake again.”
“Should I be taking notes?”
I chuckled under my breath and shook my head. “I currently have a department that weeds out the good from the bad and sends me a list of the ones that pass initial inspection. Even that list is too extensive and time-consuming for me to shuffle through alone. I need your help graphing them, charting them, showing me risk factors and where the money flow is. I need extensive information on the organization, starting at its inception. I need statistics and data that a Google search can’t provide. Can you handle that?”
“Absolutely.” Her eyes brightened and her smile lit up the room. As soon as I’d begun to discuss her duties and my expectations, her disposition had changed. For the better. She now exuded confidence, and that was exactly what I’d hoped for.
Feeling invigorated, I grabbed a file from my desk drawer and passed it to her. I had already gone over the information inside, but I was interested to see the conclusions she’d come up with. It was one I had discarded due to the blatant risk factors. From the cover, it looked like a pretty solid business. I called these jumpers—the ones you jump on quickly because they were smart investments. But once I dove into the owners’ personal backgrounds, the risks became too high and the red flags were glaringly evident.
I knew it would take her all day to digest the information I’d handed over. I decided to use it as a way to test her to see what she would find, how long she’d spend on it, and ultimately, what decision she’d come up with. Her transcript from NYU was impressive, but I had hired people with impressive résumés before, only to learn later their intelligence didn’t transfer from college to the real world. But I knew what Eden had to offer and that’s why I’d hired her. Just like I knew which companies to take on. Gut instinct. Now I was interested to see if my gut instinct was right where Eden was concerned. And the only way I’d be able to tell was by analyzing what she returned to me and advised me was a wise investment.
Eden was in her office when I went to lunch, and she was still in the same place an hour later when I returned. In fact, she never left her desk until almost four o’clock. I’d seen her on the computer and the phone throughout the day. I thought about interrupting her a few times, but quickly decided against it. I didn’t coddle any of my other associates, and I wouldn’t start with her.
She knocked on the door between our offices and opened it, not waiting for a response. However, she didn’t come in. She remained in the doorway with the folder clutched tightly to her chest.
“That was fast. I wasn’t expecting you to come up with a decision so soon.” I motioned her over to my desk and invited her to take a seat.
“So soon? I’ve been working on it all day,” she teased. “Although, I was able to learn faster ways of looking things up, so hopefully, it won’t take me as long in the future.”
I took the folder and opened it, acting as if I were poring over the details of the company. “Appears to be a good choice, doesn’t it?” I asked, baiting her.
“Yes, it does.”
I won’t lie, her answer was a little disappointing and my heart began to sink.
“However, I don’t think you should do it.”
That got my attention. “Oh, yeah? And why is that?”
“Well, although it seems like a good choice on the surface, I started digging into the Johnson brothers—the ones who bought the company a few years ago. They both struck it big at a casino and used their winnings to buy the established firm. The corporation itself is what’s making it seem like a perfect idea because it’s amazing. Great idea, fabulous business plan, dedicated employees…however, the new owners…not so much. I would have had this to you right after lunch, but I was waiting on a call. I just got it and it confirmed my suspicions. The problem is the way they obtained the company in the first place. With their winnings, and they’ve never stopped gambling. Now they’ve been gambling with bigger wages. And even though I can’t solidly prove it’s the firm’s money, I don’t think it’s a safe investment. Too risky.”
I was stunned into silence. She managed to find all this out in less than a day. It was impressive, but I was too shocked to offer much of a response. For some reason, she seemed nervous as she waited for my reaction.
“Was my decision all right?”
“All right? It’s fucking perfect. I’d already canceled this one out last week, but I was curious to see what you’d say. I’ve gotta tell you, Eden, you had me scared when you first came in with the file. But I’ll admit, I’m an extremely smart man for hiring you.”
She finally laughed. “Yes, let’s go ahead and give you all the credit for my hard work.”
“What? You didn’t know that’s what would happen when you took the job?”
“You’re very right, Dane. You’re a smart man to hire such a talented, brilliant, hard-working woman such as myself,” she teased, and it lightened my spirits.
“Good job today, Clare.”
“Thanks, Kauffmann.”
“Go ahead and go home for the day. I’m getting ready to leave, too. It was a good first day. You know, once we got past the morning.” I smiled, as did she. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She stood and began to return to her office when another thought crossed my mind.
“Oh, and…Eden?” I waited for her to face me again. “You really don’t listen to me, do you? I told you to not cover your ink and to keep in your piercings. Yet you took them out and you’re wearing a sweater.”
“It’s not professional,” she responded, as if it were obvious.
My brows pinched together and I blinked a few times, expressing my confusion. I made a show of my arms, the parts that were visible with my sleeves rolled up. “Clearly, my company doesn’t follow the same idea of professionalism you seem to think. If the founder wears his ink proudly, then so should you. You are my sidekick, by the way.”
She giggled and glanced at the floor.
“And f
uck what people say is professional. I like the Monroe and the nose stud. From now on, it’s part of your uniform. Come in without it again and I’ll send you home.”
She nervously played with her large curls draping over her shoulder. I must’ve made her uncomfortable because she turned quiet again.
“That wasn’t me hitting on you. That was nothing more than me giving you a compliment.”
“I know.” She met my stare and offered an uneasy grin before turning to go to her office.
I eyed the closed door that separated us and knew I was ready to accept the changes that lay ahead. Handing over some of the decision-making wouldn’t be easy, but I had a feeling Eden would make things easier.
And in addition, I had an inkling that Eden would also make things more complicated.
5
Once a year, Kauffmann Investments held an associate appreciation barbecue at the beach. It was a way for me to show the people who devoted so much of their time to the company that I noticed them, and I valued their hard work.
This year, I hadn’t looked forward to it, as I had in the past. Things seemed to get worse with Gabi by the day, and I currently had a hard time being thankful for anything. But I’d always been good at compartmentalizing, and that meant keeping things at work separate from my personal life. To a point.
Normally, Gabi came with me. But as I got ready this morning, she refused to get out of bed. Part of me thought I should stay behind with her. My darkened mood wouldn’t add anything good for the people expecting a fun, relaxing day in the sun. But I knew not attending wasn’t an option. I had to go. Not only for them, but for me, as well. I couldn’t continue to stay cooped up in the condo with Gabi all day. The few times I’d managed to get her to talk, she obsessed over the baby. I literally lived in a bubble of pessimism, and I felt the need to escape the depravity that our relationship had reached.
The sun was bright and the sand was hot. People were already in the area of the beach we’d roped off for the party. It should’ve been enough to pull me from the mood Gabi had confined me to, but it wasn’t. At least I was here. I needed a beer and some friendly conversation and I’d snap out of it. I headed to the cooler where several guys were huddled.
Two minutes into listening to them talk about some game they’d watched, I caught the sight of her fiery hair. In an instant, everything else faded away. The conversation around me turned to a low hum, the people milling about on the beach blurred, and the sounds of the ocean became white noise. All I could focus on was the woman setting up her chair away from everyone else.
Without thinking, I made my way to her, catching her by surprise when she glanced up and saw me standing next to her.
“I hope it’s okay that I came. I know I’ve only worked for you for five days…but Steve from legal encouraged me to come. If I shouldn’t be here, I can leave. I won’t be upset if—”
I stepped closer and placed the pad of my thumb over her lips to make her stop talking. “Eden, you’re allowed to be here. This is a company event. You work for the company. Therefore, you’re more than welcome to be included.”
She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. Her shoulders slumped a few degrees, signaling the tension leaving her body. “Oh, good. I feel so out of place, but I figured if I didn’t come, I’d never meet anyone.”
“Why do you feel out of place?”
Her lips quirked and a soft, short gasp of a giggle escaped. “Let’s see here, Dane…I don’t really know anyone. I haven’t worked there for long—oh, and I can’t swim. We’re at a beach, and I don’t know how many excuses I’ll be able to come up with as to why I can’t go in the water.”
“Why haven’t you ever learned how to swim?” I had wondered that very thing since the night she’d jumped off the pier, but I never found the right time to ask.
She took in a breath and then slowly released it before answering. “My little brother couldn’t swim; he was scared of the water and wouldn’t even get near it. So we never went to pools or lakes. I was thirteen when he died, and I just never learned after that. I was so used to not being around water that it never bothered me.”
“Except now you’ve moved to a place where you’re surrounded by water.”
She smiled as her shoulders bounced up and down with one of her silent laughs. “Yeah. I guess I am. But I’m pretty sure twenty-five is a little too late to learn how to swim. I think I’ll be okay.”
“Well, you don’t have to worry about making up excuses. The amazing part about the beach is you can stay in the shallow parts without needing to swim. And there’s a whole box over there”—I pointed over my shoulder to where we had everything set up—“with rafts and those foam noodles. You’ll be fine.”
“Thanks. I think I need a drink first, though. Almost drowning last weekend traumatized me.” She laughed, and the sound of it distracted me from the guilt that plagued me anytime I thought about that night.
“What would you like? I’ll go get it while you finish settling in.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She glanced down at the bottle in my hand. “Beer is fine with me. I’m not picky.”
I nodded and headed to the cooler, if nothing more than to give me time to clear my head. Standing around a bunch of guys who’d known me for years, and worked with me on a daily basis, hadn’t done a damn thing to help my somber mood. But two minutes in Eden’s presence and somehow, everything cleared and seemed less gloomy.
Before I could leave the cooler, I was stopped by Heidi from the legal department. “Someone brought cornhole. Did you and Gabby want to play?” She glanced around and then took notice of the two beer bottles in my hands. “Did Gabi come with you?”
I felt awkward holding two drinks, but I passed it off, not wanting to look guilty for anything. I hadn’t done anything wrong. “Uh…no. She wasn’t feeling well. Maybe I can find another partner to play with me. I’ll come find you if I do.”
I tried to move away, but she gently touched my arm to stop me. “Is she okay?”
“Oh, yeah. She’s fine. Just wanted to stay out of the sun today.”
With a nod, she dropped her hand and let me pass.
Eden was in her beach chair when I reappeared with drinks. The plan was to hand her the bottle of beer I’d already opened and put in a koozie for her, and then leave her alone. But as soon as I approached her, she gestured with an open hand to the towel she’d spread out next to her chair.
“Did you come by yourself?” she asked, practically eliminating any possibility of an exit. I nodded and dug my toes into the sand, refusing to sit. “Is this not her scene?”
I glanced at her, wondering how to explain it, and questioning if I even should. But when my eyes locked on hers, I was mesmerized. Trapped. Unable to look away. And the words poured out, as if she’d placed me under a trance and coaxed the truth out of me.
“Nothing seems to be her scene anymore.”
“Tell me about her.”
I blinked a few times, wondering what to do. I never spoke to anyone about Gabi, never thought it was right. But over this past week, I’d come to realize not talking about it had negatively impacted me. I’d found myself trapped in this dark, lonely space, and keeping everything in wasn’t helping.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to, but there’s clearly something going on. I’m a really good listener.” Eden pointed to the towel once again, and I finally caved.
I sat next to her, beneath the shade of a few trees, and stretched my legs out. My eyes darted around the beach, and I quickly worried what others would think of me sitting here alone with her. Then I remembered they worked for me, and I stopped giving a shit. We were only talking. It wasn’t a crime to confide in someone of the opposite sex.
“What’s her name?” Her voice broke through my thoughts, and I realized I hadn’t spoken since sitting down.
“Gabi,” I answered without making eye contact.
“That’s pretty. Is it short for something?”
&n
bsp; “Yeah. Gabriella.”
“Oh, I love that name. Is she Spanish?”
I finally turned my attention to Eden. I wasn’t sure how I felt about all her prying questions. Part of me grew irritated, wondering why she cared to know all this. But another part of me softened, realizing she was only being nice…and respectful.
After our almost-kiss last weekend, things had been slightly awkward between us. There were moments when we both seemed to forget about it and found ourselves laughing and stealing glances through the window between our offices. And then there were times the uneasiness was so thick you could’ve cut it with a knife.
“Her father was from Peru.”
“Oh, wow. Does she speak Spanish?”
“No. Her dad died when she was young.”
“That’s sad. Does she remember him?”
I shook my head, not understanding why she kept pushing the topic. It sounded like she sought to be friends with Gabi instead of trying to get me to open up.
“I couldn’t imagine. Does she have any siblings?”
“What does it matter? I don’t get why you’re asking so many questions about this.” My tone came out short and clipped. Opening up about personal things, things I’d kept guarded and safely behind a brick wall, was hard.
Her red hair whipped around her face with the breeze, and I had to stop myself from reaching out to touch it. Gabi wasn’t a topic I cared to pursue any longer, and I didn’t have a desire to answer any more questions.
She broke eye contact and stared off into the distance. Her expression softened and a quiet exhale slipped past her parted lips. “I need to know she’s real.”
Her words drove straight into my chest. They exploded inside and wrapped around my heart, squeezing it and threatening to make it stop beating. I had no idea if she meant it the way I took it, but I couldn’t find it in me to ask her to clarify.
“She’s real, Eden. I promise you, she’s real.”