Page 57 of Rich and Bossy

CHAPTER 14

Hazel

“What is wrong with you?Where’d you learn how to drive?” I swing out in my car and pull past them.

Campbell is due to land in a few minutes, and I said I would pick her up.

I don’t know why it feels so overwhelmingly urgent to be there way before she arrives, but my stomach’s been in knots all day and I know I should’ve left earlier. Damn it, I don’t want to look like a flake who can’t manage to get to the airport on time.

Relax. You’re going to get there early. You left with plenty of time.

My mind goes through a hundred different traffic scenarios that could change that in a hurry.

And I guess that’s what’s at the heart of all of this. It’s one thing for her to fly out here, to take me seriously enough that she would go to this trouble. Now? I have to make the trouble worth it. I don’t want her asking herself why she did this. I don’t want to see a look of disappointment in her eyes when she realizes she flew out here for nothing.

And let’s not forget the sense of this being my one shot. It’s a real chance for all my coworkers to get a workplace they deserve.I have to go all-in, because I’m never going to get an opportunity like this again. Having Campbell Page on my side, in my corner, ready to fight—it means everything. It feels like we have a real chance to force Rapid to make the changes.

That’s why I’m flying down the freeway, my gaze constantly bouncing back and forth between the clock and the road.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know she won’t mind if I’m there late. If she has to wait a minute or two for me to arrive, that’s not going to bring everything to a halt. Traffic happens. And I’m assuming her flight will land on time, too, instead of being delayed. Something tells me it’ll be on-time, though. Asking for her to be a few minutes late feels like it would be asking for too much.

Dear God, I'm losing it.

“Oh crap.” I take one of the airport exits. “Get it together.”

Please, let her like me.

It’s a prayer running on repeat through my head while I park the car in the short-term lot, then try to avoid stepping in any puddles on this cold, rainy day. According to the app on my phone, her flight arrived on schedule, so she’ll be there by now. This is it.

I wish it didn’t feel like this moment was so heavy, so important. Like everything is riding on her first impression of me. What a shame, then, that I’m shivering like a wet dog somebody left out in the rain by the time I enter the baggage claim.

I pick her out right away—after all, this isn’t the first time I’ve seen her.

She’s waiting at the carousel, talking on her phone and looking like a million bucks. She doesn’t notice me at first, so I run a shaking hand over my hair and wish I hadn’t when my palm comes back damp. Then, for good measure, I check mybreath. Jesus, it’s like I’m about to hyperventilate. I need to get a grip on myself.

She turns in time to notice me approaching, and her grin goes a long way toward easing my anxiety. “Okay, Penn, here she is. Gotta go. Love you. Tell Hayden I’ll FaceTime as soon as I can.”

Penn. That’s her husband, a lawyer in New York City. I’ve seen a photo of them together and they’re basically the most gorgeous couple ever. Like it’s almost unfair.

Once she’s off the phone, she extends a hand my way. “Hazel. I remember you now. At the conference you had me sign your book.” Her grip is firm. Strong.

Oh. My. God.

She remembers me?

Don’t fangirl. Just don’t.

“Yes, I didn’t want to say anything on the phone, but yeah. I came to Chicago once, to hear you speak.” I can’t help but smile like a total nerd. “It meant so much. I really, just, yeah…” My brain decides to go blank.

“Maybe it was fate. Could you have imagined we’d both end up here, doing this together?” She doesn’t wait for me to answer, laughing lightly. “As soon as my bag shows up, we can get moving.” The belt fires up, so that should be soon.

“No worries. I’m glad you’re here. It’s seriously a relief. I was worried I started something I couldn’t live up to. I was just desperate, for my friends.”

“I’m glad you thought of me.”

I must give her an incredulous look, because she laughs again.

“I’m serious. You didn’t have to come to me. I’m flattered that you considered it.”

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