Page 1 of Room One Hundred and Twenty

Jake

There is only so much I can handle when listening to Rhett talk. I know all the jargon leaving his lips is important, but I’d rather be on the floor working or tucked away in my office looking at reports. Instead, I’m sitting at a table full of important figures.

Most of them are aged and look like they might keel over during one of these meetings.

Currently talking about sales, he shoots a stern look in my direction. If I were anyone else, I’d crumple. His frown grows when I shoot a smile in return.

The CEO ofStartBit Techloves me. As the man on his left in this business, he’s a bit obligated to.

He’s going over our hottest apps for the month. Needing to impress our investors, he needs me to be the one to help convince the team of ancient men who probably still carry around flip phones in their pockets.

Lucky for him, Ilovetalking sales. Right now, a new dating app is growing on the charts, bringing in so much ad revenue. My problem is getting me to shut up once I start going.

I don’t want to hear Rhett when he regrets his decision to turn the meeting over to me.

Moving to stand, I have my slideshow up and ready the moment he returns to his seat.

Once the meeting wraps up and everyone makes haste to move on with their lives, I stretch out my limbs. My poor feet have fallen asleep and I’m worried about waking them up.

“I thought I was going to fall asleep halfway through your speech.” Groaning, I let out an exaggerated sigh.

Nicolas fails at fighting back a yawn. Good to know we’re both suffering here. Though, I’m not sure if I want to take offense if the information I had to reveal helped aid in his exhaustion.

“You two need to take this more seriously.” Rhett runs a hand through his dark hair, sighing heavily through his nose. “And you need to make it seem like you’re paying attention during the times your mouth isn’t open.”

Smiling cheekily, I shrug. “It’s not like this isn’t a pattern, man. They’ll sit here clutching their wallets like we’re here to steal their money. Then they invest and suddenly become our best friends when they see we actually know what we’re talking about.”

Every Friday, we have these meetings with new faces. With us reaching the weekend, I want to call it a day and slip away to have some fun.

When Rhett pinches his brow, I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Like the men who were just in the room, gray hairs seep through his hair right above his temples. Barely in his forties, the stress may have caused the streaks instead of his age.

“What are you two doing after this? I think we should make up some plans here. The day is coming to an end here.” Tapping my thumb against the table, I can only hope they’ll accept my invite.

Nicolas is the first to grimace. He’s never one to get caught out in the public. Not a fan of getting a lot of attention from the opposite sex, he’d rather go somewhere quiet where he can remain unnoticed. Not exactly my idea of fun.

Our CEO turns his nose at the offer, not even needing to say no.

“It’sFriday.” With an exaggerated sigh, I frown at both of them. “Come on. I know neither of you are doing anything. We haven’t gone clubbing in ages.”

Rhett stacks his reports. “I have an image to uphold, just as you do. I apologize for not wanting tabloids to write the most ridiculous headlines about me. Nor do I have time for all those distractions.”

Okay, he’s got a point. After so long, you get used to dealing with false-claimed pregnancies and marriage claims. Funny enough, I like seeing my face on articles. Boosts my ego a bit.

Seeing Nicolas scrolling through his phone, I already know why he’s not willing to join. The dude has blinders on, unwilling to look at any woman. He’s still stuck on some past fling.

“I need more time off to make more friends, or you two need to start acting the role a little better.” Pushing out of my chair, I click my tongue. “If not a club, we can do anything we want. I’m so bored.”

“You work your own schedule,” Rhett reminds as he finishes packing up. Slinging his bag strap over his shoulder, he gives a nod to Nic before returning his attention back in my direction. “I’m sure you’ll find something to entertain yourself with. Better yet, find more friends. You have my support. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more work to do.”

Once we’re alone, I groan. “He’s seriously a buzzkill.”

“He’s got a lot of weight on his shoulders.” Nicolas joins me as we head out of the room.

“We’re literally going to the same place and he couldn’t be bothered to stick around long enough to walk with us.” Shaking my head, I force a smile to return to my lips once we’re passing by employees. “He’s got a stick up his ass. If he were to get laid, maybe it would loosen him up a little.”

That makes the man at my side snort. Whether he agrees or not, he doesn’t say.

“Say you’ll go out with me.” Begging here, I groan when he grimaces.

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