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LATER ON THAT DAY, I ventured over to Michael’s luxurious office. He had an amazing view of New York City. I loved his office, and it always blew me away every time I walked into it.
Michael was obsessing over the day’s sales.
When he saw me, he smiled. “What brings you to my neck of the woods? The fantastic view? Or is it hard to resist a handsome boss’s charm?”
My smile widened. “I need some papers signed.”
“See? Look at the way your face lights up. You’re happy to see me. Well, come on in, pretty lady.” He reached for the documents. “Couldn’t Tom have signed them?”
I bit my lip. “He could’ve. But I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
He laughed. “I am afraid I’m a bit of a narcissist.”
“You? No way!”
“Funny. But even I don’t believe your story that you came to see me because of my wit and charm.”
“Darn it. It was a good try.”
He raised a brow. “Are you avoiding my dear brother, Thomas?”
“Is it that obvious? Are you sure you don’t believe I just want to be in your presence?”
He laughed.
“You got me,” I said. “I didn’t want Tom to think I was making excuses to see him. We already had to take down the Christmas tree downstairs a few hours ago. That was enough for me.”
“I get it.” He winked. “You can come see me anytime.”
I smiled again. I couldn’t help it. The man made me smile. He was so funny and charming, and I could see why women were so drawn to him, even willing to give it all up for him, just to date him.
He signed the papers and handed them back to me. I picked up the magazine on his desk. Michael and Tom were on the front cover of Time. The cover read: Meet My Sons, One Will Be Your New CEO.
“Looking good,” I said.
“Me or Tom?”
I shot him a flirty look. “Definitely you.”
“Thank you. If you’re trying to score points with your boss, it’s working.”
I grinned. “I meant every word I said.”
“Authenticity is what impresses bosses.”
I flipped through the pages. “Did Tom see this?”
He winced. “Not yet. I think he was told it would read: Meet My Son, Your New CEO.”
I chuckled. “Well, I wish both of you the best of luck.”
“Thank you, Jenna. The future is unpredictable.”
“You don’t have to tell me something I already know.”
“Oh, hey, I have your review. Do you have a few minutes?”
“Sure.”
“Tom just can’t get to it,” he said.
I met his gaze. “We both know why he couldn’t get to it.”
“What can I say? My brother is an idiot. And they say he’s the smarter one. Yeah, right. He let you go, and I think that makes him the dumber one.”
I smirked.
“I talked to all your team members and managers, and everyone tells me what an excellent job you’re doing.”
He went over my scores in detail and gave me an excellent evaluation. I took that as a world-class compliment. He used specific examples, and I knew he wasn’t just giving me a good score because he was dating Rose. He told me I could keep up with the big guys, and that impressed the hell out of him.
“We’re all impressed you secured your first account,” he said.
My entire face beamed. “The Macken account. I did work hard getting them.”
“And the marketing plan you designed was ingenious. You executed and scaled a consistent, integrated marketing message. You used creative and free internal marketing structures. You focused on their key demographic. And last, but not least, you encouraged and capitalized on fan engagement. It’s simply amazing.”
“Thank you.”
“And it’s tradition that when you obtain your first account on your own, we celebrate. Tom and I always...”
“No Tom,” I said. “Please, if you don’t mind.”
“But Tom has never missed one. C’mon, resist the urge to throw a stapler at him, and let him join in on the fun.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind missing this one. Besides, he passed my review over to you. And that means he’s trying to create distance.”
His beautiful eyes twinkled. “Okay then. Just you and me.”
I winked in a joking manner. “I promise not to tell Rose I drank a glass of wine with you.”
“But it’s completely platonic. And it’s a business celebration.”
We both laughed.
He left and came back a few minutes later with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“Michael,” I said. “I shouldn’t drink on the job.”
He handed me the glass. “Nonsense. I’m the boss. And I say it’s okay. Besides, we can’t fight Larchwood tradition.”
“Okay,” I said. “A few sips won’t hurt. We are celebrating, after all.”
“Give me one sec. I want to break out the confetti!”
Knowing him, he just might do that. I shot him a look, and he smiled.
“Kidding,” he laughed.
“I never know with you.”
He met my gaze and flashed me his gleaming, white smile. “You’re definitely on the path to success.”
The door opened and Michael’s father walked in with his own empty wine glass and a huge gift basket with wine and chocolate. He smiled at me. “I’ve heard about all the great things you’ve done. You definitely understand this company’s vision and mission.”
Michael grinned as he poured his father a glass of wine. “Why look at that. You’ve even managed to get my father’s attention. And trust me, that’s no easy feat.”
“Hello, Mr. Larchwood,” I said.
I had met him before, and even had some quick conversations with him, but I never knew he took notice of me. I felt as giddy as a school girl.
He handed me the huge, oversized basket. “This is for you, Jenna. Congratulations. You’ve just joined us, and yet, you’ve blown us away. Please enjoy this token of our gratitude.”
My entire face beamed. “Thank you. It’s lovely.”
Mr. Larchwood looked at Michael. “Now where is Tom?”
“He’s busy,” Michael said.
“Where’s Patti? Jenna’s supervisor should be here too.”
“She’s sick today,” Michael said. “Remember she called off?”
“Tom better get his butt up here then.” His dad grabbed the phone and called Tom’s office. “Hi, son. It’s me. Michael’s office. Now. And bring a wine glass.”
I knew I made the right choice giving up everything to come here. I wanted to be a part of this company. I wanted to give this place everything I had. I made light conversation with Michael and Mr. Larchwood until Tom walked in. He met my gaze and smiled. His father poured him some wine.
“Congratulations, Jenna,” Tom said. “We couldn’t be more impressed.”
“Thanks,” I said.
Tom sounded so professional. There wasn’t one hint that we ever used to be lovers. It was like we never existed. I let out a long breath. I just wanted to get out of this office as fast as I possibly could.
“I have a deep compassion and concern for the well-being of my employees,” Mr. Larchwood said. “When I saw Michael getting the wine, he told me our superstar was getting her first toast, so I came right in. I’m so glad I got the chance to join in.”
“I’m so happy you and Tom could join us,” I said.
Mr. Larchwood held up his glass. “Cheers,” he said with a big smile. “To Jenna securing her first account with our company.”
Smiling, we all clanked glasses.
“Oh, Tom,” Mr. Larchwood said. “While I got you in here, I need you to talk to Jackson. I heard he dropped the ball again. I’m going to have a long talk with him. Meanwhile, you’ll be taking his spot and running the board meeting at five.”
“Dad, I’m not dealing with that. That board meeting is everyone from Michael’s division. And he’s more equipped to handle that than me. And besides, I’m interviewing somebody for an upper management position.”
“Reschedule the interview, Tom,” Michael said sternly.
“No, I won’t.”
“But I have a dinner date,” Michael said.
Tom sighed. “Of course you do.”
His father peered at Tom. “Listen, nobody can pitch to a Fortune 50 company like you. It’s a one billion dollar deal and I can’t risk losing it.”
“Then you go.”
“I am. And I want one of my sons there also.”
“Michael is perfect.”
“Their head of treasury is that cute blonde. Michael could screw things up by drooling all over her. And this office is not the new singles bar.”
“Excuse me?” Michael said. “Drool? How pathetic do you think I am? I would have her phone number before she ever left the boardroom.”
His dad rolled his eyes. “You see what I mean? The threat of sexual harassment remains if I have to bring Michael along.”
Michael sighed. “Bringing in the legalities? What a buzz kill!”
“You want to land on the jump page of The Wall Street Journal, boy? I won’t tolerate that kind of behavior. Don’t you dare make me look like an idiot with the firm’s senior execs and the prospect’s senior execs, either.”
“And I wouldn’t want to do that,” Michael said. “That’s why it’s best you take the golden child along with you.”
“Dad,” Tom said. “He’s baiting you. Because he doesn’t want to go. We both know he wouldn’t flirt with the blonde because he’s seeing somebody right now.”
“Son,” his dad said. “That doesn’t mean anything with your brother. I think we both know that.”
“Do you want to hear all about her?” Michael asked.
“No. Keep your flavor of the week to yourself. Introduce me if you date longer than six months.”
Michael smiled at me. “This one’s gonna last.”
I smirked.
Tom glanced down at his watch. “Listen, Dad, I gotta go.”
“So do I!” Michael chimed in. “And I pulled an all-nighter, so I’m completely beat!”
His dad blew out a long breath. “I don’t want to hear about your romantic escapades.”
“I have no juicy secrets to hide...Okay, so maybe I do, but that’s not the point. The point is...I pulled an all-nighter here...at the office with my team. You know, I do work hard here. And I carry my weight. Now please cut me some slack, and make Tom go with you. After all, he slept in his nice, comfy bed last night while I slaved away to meet your ridiculous deadline. Which me and my team met, I might add. If that isn’t dedication to this company, then I don’t know what else is.”
“Now, now, boys,” their father said. “No need to fight. We’ll simply flip a coin.”
Michal laughed. “I’ll take tales.”
“Heads,” Tom said.
His dad pulled out a quarter and looked at me. “What are Tom’s chances of getting head?”
He said ‘head’ instead of ‘heads.’
I glanced at Tom. “Not a snowball’s chance in hell,” I whispered.
“Ah, I see you’re a loyal Michael fan,” his dad said. “Don’t worry. Most women are.”
Michael burst out in laughter. Tom’s face turned a bright shade of red. I bit my lip hard. How could I let something like that slip? But luckily, his dad was completely clueless. Thank goodness.
“What are you laughing at, son?” his dad asked Michael.
Michael glanced at me and I shrugged.
Think of something!
“Of course Jenna likes me better than Tom,” Michael said. “Most women do. I have that effect on women.”
Tom didn’t seem very happy by his comment. I shook my head, and Michael shrugged like he didn’t know what else to say to cover my blunder that had made him laugh.
Mr. Larchwood chuckled. “Just like your old man.”
“At least I know how to keep it in my pants,” Tom said.
Michael’s gaze narrowed. “Is that so, brother?” he asked in an accusatory tone.
“You can’t criticize me for one slip up.”
My gaze met Tom’s in an angry glare. “Slip up?”
He winced. “Poor choice of words. I do apologize.”
“It’s just that...”
“It’s okay,” I said casually. “I get it.”
Tom never dated women at work. I was the only exception to the rule. So maybe I was a slip up...a mistake. I knew deep down he didn’t really want to break up with me. He only did it for the title of CEO. Because nothing was getting in the way of his dream job.
Especially not love.
I never felt used. Because I know Tom cared about me deeply. I felt his emotion when we were together, and I knew what we had was real. I was just angry he’d give everything up, so he could move up the corporate ladder to the very top. I think I felt more hurt than anything.
“Listen, we all know I’ve had dozens of slip ups,” Michael said. “Some might even dare to say hundreds. But that’s all behind me. I’ve turned over a new leaf.”
His dad spit the gulp of wine in his mouth. “Really?”
“This woman I’m seeing has captured my heart quite like no other.”
“Son, like I said, if she lasts longer than six months, then we’ll talk. Okay, let’s see who’s going to be the lucky son to accompany their dad to this very important meeting.” He flipped the coin high in the air. “It’s tales. Michael. It’s all yours.”
“How wonderful,” he replied sarcastically.
His father looked at him. “Don’t go near the blonde. She is off-limits. Hear me?”
“Loud and clear.”
“And about the all-nighter. I’ll get you and your team members all one hundred dollar Visa gift cards. Just send me their names.”
“Will do. And thanks.”
“I like to show my appreciation for hard work.”
“You can keep my gift card and show your appreciation by letting me go to dinner with my date.”
“Not happening, Michael,” his dad said with a chuckle.
Tom patted his brother on the shoulder. “Guess you better cancel those dinner reservations. Have fun, brother.”
Tom rushed out as Michael rolled his eyes.
“Dad, this sucks,” Michael said.
“Suck it up, son.”