Page 18 of Forbidden Professor

Me: Hey Scarlett. This might be a weird question, but I was doing a consultant job for Largen Co. Are you still friends with Lauren?

The easiest way to get answers would be if she was still in touch with her. Paul might get upset with me asking questions about the company, but he had nothing to worry about if he wasn’t doing anything shady. After hearing from Easton, it made me question things. A Christmas party for a company of Largen Co.’s size would cost a lot of money. It might not equate to the same as funding a project, but nonetheless it was money that would be better spent elsewhere. So, it seemed odd that he would start having a holiday party this year of all years.

Scarlett: Yes, we get together every couple of weeks for lunch. Is something wrong?

Now, I just had to figure out exactly how to word this. My reputation was on the line if things went awry. I typed out a reply and then erased it. You know what, no, I wasn’t going to stand down on this one. If he was not using the companies money for things that were decided upon, then he needed to be called out. So many businesses go under because of bad financial decisions from CEO’s and CFO’s. Easton had worked so hard to get to where he was, and I didn’t know what he would do if he lost his job.

Me: Well, it may be nothing but I want to be certain. A big project was just canceled, and then they announced a huge Christmas party. Seems like weird timing if they are trying to cut back on spending.

Perfect response. It doesn’t necessarily come out and point toward Paul. The Board of Directors deserved to be aware of things. I just didn’t see them approving a huge holiday party but a cut in funding for something that could save hundreds of thousands of lives. Something just wasn’t right and the right buttons needed to be pushed.

Scarlett: Hmm… I’ll bring it up to her. We are having lunch tomorrow. We both know though that if they were trying to cut back on spending. A Christmas party isn’t going to bring in any additional revenue so it should be the first to be cut.

Me: Exactly! Thanks, I appreciate it.

Scarlett was one of my mentors when I first arrived at University of Oregon. We had stayed in touch even after she retired. The woman was brilliant when it came to corporate finances. She was the one that recommended me for many jobs. It paid to be friends with someone who had so many connections in the business world.

“You seem like you are in your own little world over there… anything interesting?”

“No, just booked our flight for early Christmas Eve. For someone who hates romantic comedies, you seem to be enjoying this one…”

“Don’t you dare say that. Blasphemy. Take it back!” he said, coming in to tickle me and sending me into a laughing frenzy. “I could never love movies like this.”

He might not want to admit it, but something caught his attention. Easton was a romantic.

“Whatever, let’s put on something else then. But we are not leaving this bed except to eat and hydrate today.”

“You don’t see me objecting… I got you right where I want you…”

His lips fell on mine and a day of pure bliss was about to ensue. He was back in my life, we were happy, and nothing was going to ruin this for us. Nothing.

17

Easton

It was Christmas Eve and the snow was falling in blankets. Things had been going great with Isla and I. Neither of us were excited about the holiday party, but attendance was required. We had been going back and forth between our places since that night, not spending a single night apart. Waking up to her every morning was a dream come true, but I was stressing about meeting her parents. Our relationship was still technically new even though we both knew how we felt about each other. Her parents didn’t know much about me, or at least I assume, and first impressions were everything.

“I’m almost done.” Isla called out from the bathroom, putting the final touches on her makeup and hair.

Without her, there was no way I could get through tonight with my co-workers. Thank god for her.

“Okay, what do you think?” Isla walked out, smoothing down her red dress that came down to her knees and black knee-high boots.

Hot fucking damn.

“You look absolutely stunning. How did I get so lucky?”

She smiled and kissed me, her hands gripped around the collar of my polo. “Honey, if we didn’t have to leave right now, I’d opt to just stay home in bed.”

Holidays without my grandma had not been the best, but with Isla by my side, maybe I could learn to love Christmas again. We could start our own traditions. For the first time in a while, I was excited to spend Christmas with someone.

“Stop trying to seduce me. You know how hard it is to say no to you.”

She took my hand and led me to the door. “I’ll seduce you later. Let’s not be late.”

I took my keys from the table by the door and we headed to the car. The temperature had dropped significantly in the last few days. However, this was nothing compared to the temperatures in Vermont.

“I finished packing while you were getting ready. Are you sure your parents don’t mind me coming?” I asked, starting the car and backing out of the driveway. “I just don’t want to impose. Especially since they haven’t seen you in a couple years. They might just want to spend time with you.”

---