Page 7 of Snowed In with the Bosses

“Harrington has a powerful presence. He’s not overbearing or rude, but he is demanding.” Alexander took my elbow and guided me to the car, where Liam held the door open. Ethan and I climbed into the back seat, where I immediately missed the heat of Alexander’s palm on my elbow. Liam closed the door and moved to the front passenger seat while Alexander slid behind the wheel.

They gave me advice and tidbits to remember about Harrington along the drive, and by the time we arrived at the restaurant, I knew more about the man than I’d ever wished. But I was prepared.

We walked into the restaurant together, with Ethan’s hand at the small of my back and Alexander leading the way. Harrington stood from the table where he’d been sitting and stuck out his hand. “Good morning, good morning. Thank you all for agreeing to the preemptive meeting. We’ll have an official meet and greet at Summit’s office, but I wanted to have a quiet sit-down chat with all of you.” He shook hands all around, not pausing when he reached me. If anything, his posture relaxed slightly and hissmile grew wider. “You must be Clara. I’ve heard wonderful things about you.”

“Oh?” I kept my attention on Harrington, but the question was for the men around me.

Harrington motioned for us to sit. He had a severe posture but a calm expression that did nothing to temper the fire in his eyes. “Your work on the hospital project was phenomenal. That center fountain idea with the playrooms has been a major turning point for the hospital.”

My makeup hid the blush that heated my cheeks. I dipped my head in a show of thanks. “It’s always worthwhile to look at how you can make a scary and imposing place friendlier to those who fear it.”

Harrington leaned back in his seat and pointed around the table. “That’s the attitude I’m looking for. Clara, I’m making you point of contact on this project. Whatever you need, any ideas you have, you bring them straight to me. You don’t answer to anyone on this except me, and everyone else’s ideas come to you first. Understood?”

I understood that this whole breakfast meeting was Harrington’s way of feeling out myself and the Silver Foxes. And I understood that I’d impressed him enough that he gave me this incredible position. “Understood, sir.”

“Call me Harrington.”

The food arrived and we spent the next half hour talking about everything from the state of the ski slopes to the upcoming holiday season. Christmas was barreling down on us with incredible speed.

With the breakfast over, we made our way once more to the black sedan waiting at the curb. Alexander joined me in the backseat while Ethan drove. “This will mean extended work hours. Weekends.” Alexander set his elbow on the windowsill and stretched out his legs. “Harrington’s team will join us forthe meet and greet, along with several others from the Summit team.”

“When is this meeting?” I hadn’t seen it on my work calendar.

Ethan checked his watch again. “As soon as we arrive at the office.”

“Shit.” I shook my head. “I need more heads-up with stuff like this. I’m good with last-minute plans, but this project needs my full attention. I can’t be showing up to fucking meet and greets at a second’s notice when I have no fucking clue what’s going on.”

Ethan’s smoldering gaze met mine in the rearview mirror. “You’re right. We’re not used to working with anyone outside the three of us.”

Liam swiveled to face me. “We’ll do better in the future. What do you need to know to be prepared for this meeting?”

“I don’t know.” Frustrated, I threw my hands up. “I’m making a terrible first impression on you, but that can’t be helped when I’ve been set up to fail. Who are the key players on Harrington’s team? Who has his ear and who will buck up against me?”

Liam rattled off a list of names, descriptions, and their status within Harrington’s circle. I locked the information away and tried to temper the fear crawling up the back of my throat. I could do this. I was a badass junior architect. Nothing could stop me from making my mark on this project. Nothing except my own self-doubt.

Summit Architects and Design was the kind of building that drew the eye and brought gasps to many people’s throats, my own included. I’d been enamored with the space from the moment they broke ground on the building, and walking through the white glass doors and into the bright lobby with tall windows that showcased the snowy mountain ranges in thedistance still made my heart flutter. Snow covered the ground and draped itself across rooftops. The church cathedral and steeple caught the sun and sent colored spirals out over the world thanks to the stained-glass windows. It was a wonderland of vibrancy and architecture.

“This way.” Alexander’s hand drifted over my spine but didn’t stay.

Ethan walked ahead of us, marching with that demanding stride that drove people to clear a path for him. Mom would call him a force of nature.

The conference room where Summit’s people and Harrington’s people mingled hosted two Christmas trees, a holly wreath over the fireplace, and a giant vat of Nancy’s Christmas punch. The nutmeg and spice scent wafted my way and despite the full breakfast I’d eaten, I moved to fill a glass of the fragrant drink.

Alexander and Harrington called for everyone’s attention, and two dozen people swiveled to face the pair standing at the head of the table. Alexander introduced me to the team, and I kept a tight smile in place when every head turned my direction. I regretted the punch as I held it between my hands. I’d thought it would help keep me from fidgeting. Instead, it gave me something else to worry about.

Eyes stayed on me while Harrington picked up the conversation. He talked about his vision for the space and what he expected of the team. Long hours were in my future, so many hours and responsibilities that sweat gathered between my breasts and slid down. I wasn’t ready for this. Months as a junior architect gave me some insight, but not enough to pull this off. The room grew stifling. Bodies pressed in all around me. Normally I didn’t mind a crowd, but my fears and insecurities refused to abate.

I had to get out of here. Setting the glass aside, I ducked behind Liam and exited the room while everyone’s attention locked onto Harrington.

Quiet steps followed me from the room, and I spun around to find Liam prowling my way with his hands in his pockets and a concerned tilt to his mouth.

I turned my back on him and continued over to the tall windows. My arms locked over my stomach. I breathed in the picturesque scene and set one hand over my heart in an attempt to ease the fluttering. “I’m not sure I can do this.”

“First time on a big project sucks. It’s more challenging with a client like Harrington.” Liam stopped beside me. Sunlight framed his jaw and brought out the white stripes in his suit.

Surprise flitted through me. I never expected Liam to be introspective, much less to understand what it might feel like to be a scared junior taking on their first major client. “I won’t say you get used to it.” He held out his hand, his fingers trembling. “We can teach you how to compartmentalize so that it’ll be easier.”

The man made me feelheardin a way I never expected.

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