Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91058 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
He tilts his head and frowns at me like I’m not quite getting his point. “I understand you don’t think it’s a big deal, but with everything else you’ve told me, I’m worried about you. I didn’t want you taking that position in the first place, Scar. If you’re not comfortable telling your father or Barrett about what happened today, at least tell your department head. Who is it? Which partner did you land with?”
I haven’t been hungry for the last few minutes, but now I suddenly go back to picking at my food. “You don’t know him.”
“Not Barry Pruitt? I told you I played soccer with his son when I was younger, didn’t I? Great guy.”
I shake my head. “No, not Barry. Another guy. Hudson something. Sorry…it’s been a long day and I met a lot of people.”
I stand and reach for my plate to carry it over to the sink. I hate that I’m doing this. Why am I even bothering to lie to Jasper about Hudson?
Like I don’t know Hudson’s last name. LAUGHABLE. I know his first, last, and middle name. I looked him up on my walk home—sue me. Wait, don’t sue me; I’ve only just passed the bar.
Hudson Samuel Rhodes.
I know his entire educational track and can recite all his accolades and honors; chief among them is being the youngest person to make partner at Elwood Hoyt. I have no doubt he stepped on a lot of people to get there too. You can’t be that successful and well-liked by everyone. It’s one or the other.
He’s clearly chosen his path, and I doubt he regrets it.
After our encounter this morning, I didn’t hear anything from him for the rest of the day. I expected him to really pile it on me on my first day on the job, but I didn’t receive a single email from him, no phone calls, nothing. I even went by his office around 4:00 to check in with his receptionist, Lucy.
Her phone rang just as I was walking up to talk to her. She apologized to me before answering it quickly and chatted briefly with the person on the other end of the line before finishing with, “Yes. Absolutely. Let me transfer you.”
Only when she went to do just that, she accidentally hung up. The heavy dial tone rang out crystal clear in the quiet space. She looked up at me. “Well crap.”
I smiled. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell him.”
“I should have jotted down the man’s name. I always forget something. Darn it. Anyway…” She shook her head and composed herself, refocusing her attention on me. “What did you need, sweetie?”
I stepped up and gave her a little wave. “Right. Hi. I’m Scarlett El—”
She cut me off with a cheeky wink. “I know who you are. Gosh, let me get a better look at you, all grown up.” She shooed me with her hand so I’d take a few steps back, and then she grinned. “Cute as a button. All fancy in your work clothes. You look just like your mom. You know way back in the day, when you’d come up to the office with your dad, I’d sneak you and your brothers lollipops.”
My mouth dropped. “I remember those lollipops!”
Lucy grinned. “That was me.”
I felt an overwhelming urge to hug her. Instead, I just smiled as she opened her desk drawer. “In fact, I still have some in here. I probably have the same bag from when you were little. Want one?”
“Er…I’m okay for now.”
“Right. Busy busy today, I’m sure.”
I capitalized on her momentum and squared my shoulders, getting back to the point of why I’d come in the first place. “Yes, well, I was just coming by to ask if you know if Hudson sent any tasks for me to complete? He said he would, but I haven’t received any by email or by phone. I wasn’t sure if the company sometimes sends paper memos? I just really want to be sure I didn’t miss any correspondences.”
I tried to stay glued to my desk all day, but I did use the restroom a few times. Also…there were those few minutes when I was getting cake in the break room. If Hudson had called my desk then, I wouldn’t have known, and it’s not like Kendra would have reported it to me either.
Lucy was already reaching for her phone. “Here, let me ask him.”
“It’s okay!” My voice was screechy high as I held out my hands to stop her. “Don’t do that.”
She frowned and tipped her head down so she could get a better look at me. “You don’t want me to?”
“No.”
I didn’t want to wake the beast for no good reason.
She clicked her phone back into place. “All right then…how about I see if I can get you booked into his schedule tomorrow for a meeting? It’ll be tight, but—”