“I know the normal chain of command would have you going to Brenda, however I’d prefer to keep a more hands-on approach with this one. Nothing against you or my faith in your abilities. If I didn’t trust you to get the job done, this conversation never would have happened. It’s just with this being our most important client…”
“Understood, Sir.”
She didn’t, really. To her, their clients were equally important, and deserved the same level of professionalism and attention no matter the number of zeroes listed behind their net worth. But he was the boss, so…
“Outstanding. I look forward to hearing your regular updates as well.”
“Of course. Have a good day, Mr. Schwartz.”
“You, too, Natalie. And…congratulations. You should be proud of yourself and the work you’ve done here.” The man returned to his office, shutting the door behind him as he went.
“Wow.”
Natalie swung her gaze in Jared’s direction. Tall, a bit lanky but handsome, the young man she’d seen around the building stared up at her with an arched brow.
“What?”
“He must really like you.” Mr. Schwartz’s right-hand-man grinned. “I love my boss and all, but the man does not hand out compliments willy-nilly. So good for you.”
Yes. It did seem this was very,verygood for her.
“Thanks.” She went to Jared’s desk, which was centered in front of one of the building’s countless floor-to-ceiling windows. “He said you should have a copy of Frost Avionics’ file for me?”
“Got it right here.” He remained seated as he picked up the awaiting accordion folder that looked stuffed to the gills and handed it to her. “Everything from the last two audits is in there, along with Mr. Atkinsons’s information. I’ve seen you around, but we haven’t officially been introduced. I’m Jared, by the way.”
“Natalie.” She took the folder from his hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You, too. Oh, and there’s a sticky-note inside the folder you’re going to want to be sure not to lose. It has Mr. Schwartz’s direct line to his office here, as well as his personal cell. He wanted to be sure you could reach him with any questions that may arise while you’re at Frost Avionics.”
The firm’s owner had seriously given her his direct office lineandhis personal phone number?
Wow, indeed.
“Thanks, Jared. Have a nice day.”
“No problem.” The young man smiled back at her with a dip of his chin. “And you, as well.”
With that, Natalie turned and left the office of the man in charge of over one hundred-fifty employees, feeling like she’d just been sent to the top of the class.
Proud of you, baby cakes!
Her steps faltered slightly as she walked down the elegant hallway. The silly nickname was one in a seemingly endless list Hunter had come up with.
Baby cakes, honey, darlin’, sweet cheeks…
The goofy man had always enjoyed mixing them up, and hearing them had always made her smile. Only she wasn’t smiling now.
Chest tight, Natalie pushed past the unsettling feeling and veered toward the elevators a few feet away. Pressing the round button, she took a step back and waited.
Her lungs filled slowly with a big, deep breath. Slowly exhaling, she refusing to let her grief-damaged mind ruin what should be a reason to celebrate.
Mr. Schwartz had just handed the largest account the firm had under their massive accounting umbrella. But rather than doing a happy dance, she was standing in the hallway trying to decipher what had changed.
It wasn’t anything obvious, really. Not one specific thing she could pinpoint down and address. Butsomethinghad started to shift lately. Something that, even though her husband had been gone two years, now, Natalie wasn’t sure she was prepared for.
I’ll get there Hunt. Promise. I just need…
What? More time? The man had been gone two full years, for crying out loud.