Page 10 of Meeting Up with the Consultant

“Why aren’t there any pictures of the team and what you all do within the community on the website?”

My muscles tighten up, all goosieness flying out the plastic windows. It’s not that I don’t mind telling Harding. I just know Brad’s stance on the matter, and nothing will change that.

“Same thing as with Sunny, Brad doesn’t want the focus on us, but what the products can do for the community.” I lean up against the counter and cross my arms.No need to get defensive, Kens.I uncross my arms and shrug. “That’s what the Instagram account is for. He thinks if the community wants to see what we’re up to, they can go there.”

Harding shakes his head, his eyebrows pushing low over his gorgeous eyes. Yeah, I don’t buy my line either. Brad is firm on it though, so what can I do?

“That doesn’t make sense. You all are the life of Ascent. I felt it the first time I stepped through those doors that this isn’t just a job for any of you. It’s a lifestyle. It’s in your blood.” He paces in front of me.

My muscles are right back to being nothing but pudding. I’m thrilled he got that, got us, when he came through our doors. It’s the truth. All of us breathe adventure in like it’s some kind of drug. Even Liz, though she sticks indoors, loves this company and what it stands for.

“I’ll talk to him. Get him to see the benefit.” Harding stops and stares back toward the office, a determination on his face like he’s ready to scale a massive rockface.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I push off of the counter and head toward the door. “At least, not if you want to work the rest of the time you’re contracted to.”

“Brad wouldn’t fire me over this. He was very insistent that he wants any and all suggestions that will help Ascent succeed.” The shock in Harding’s voice is understandable.

“I mean, I’ve been trying to get Brad to see reason for years. He won’t budge. And after the accident, he became so sensitive about it, none of us bring it up anymore.” I look at him pointedly. “And no matter what he said when he hired you, he’s not going to budge if you suggest it either.”

“Well, I’ll just have to figure out a way to be very convincing.” He smiles at me, holding the door open so I can pass through.

The space is tight, and I have to brush him to get past. I don’t know if it’s being close to him or my desire for him to succeed that has me holding my breath. Maybe it’s not one or the other, but a lot of both. I suck in a lungful of the crisp air, hoping it’ll wind around my heart and freeze because the traitorous organ is becoming far too invested in a man who will be long gone in less than two weeks.

7

-Harding-

Iclick through the website again as I make my way down the hallway toward Kensie’s office. I’ve worked harder in the last two weeks, fine-tuning Ascent’s message and digging into all the company’s junk than any other business I’ve consulted. Ever.

I stop and lean against the wall, trying to rub the stress headache from my eyes. It didn’t work. I heave a sigh and hit my head against the wall. Just once, and not as hard as I want to.

Denali snags my gaze in the distance, for the moment not covered by clouds. One in the morning, and the sky and landscape are just getting that hazy, dreamlike dusk look. I still can’t believe how incredible the view is from the offices. I want to spend all my days working with Denali and the mountain range as my inspiration.

Energy bottles up in me like a shaken soda. Not in the good, bubbly excitement way, but in the so much pressure it hurts way. One little lift of the tab andkablooey. No more me.

I blow out a frustrated sigh and close my eyes. Maybe I shouldn’t have had my friend design the website. I may be overstepping with that move.

Thoughts of Kensie and how open she’s been to my suggestions even though she doesn’t agree, slide across the back of my eyelids like a movie. I’d had to work my butt off explaining why I thought what I did. Her slight tip of the head, small tick of her eye squinting, and the way she’d bite the bottom corner of her lip all screamed her uncertainty.

The last one drives me wild. Stops all coherent thought except wondering what it’d be like to kiss that doubt away. Electricity seems to snap between us, filling the room until it becomes hard to breathe, every time my brain freezes on her lips and kissing her.

My focus had shifted sometime in the last week from getting Brad to hire me to getting Brad to hire me so I can be with Kensie every day. I grab my hair with my free hand and pull.

It wasn’t just her.

Not entirely.

The company has welcomed me in, excited about what I can do to help. So unlike most places I go where I’m met with suspicion. Maybe it’s the shared experience of the MeetSpace Mayhem that has broken the ice. I shake my head and toe the hardwood flooring. That isn’t it. These people just exude camaraderie like a teenage Disney show. And I, like an idiot, soak it in like my cactus when I would finally remember to water it. Hopefully, I don’t drown like the plant.

I glance at my computer with a sigh and head the rest of the way to Kensie’s office. If she hates it, fine. I’ll just slink off to my hotel room and lick my wounds and reevaluate.

Knocking softly on the doorjamb, I push into her office and freeze. She’s asleep in a hammock strung between two walls. Laying on her side, one leg hangs out of the fabric and her arms cling to a pillow against her chest. Wild strands of fiery red twirl and spring in all directions from her head. Her face is smooth with peace, unlike earlier that day when tight lines had marred her forehead.

I want to bury my hands in her hair. Want to climb in behind her and hold her close. Kiss her senseless.

My heart beats hard in my chest. I push against it with my palm to keep it from pounding right out onto the floor. The ache of loneliness is more acute than ever. I have to leave. Get some space. Rein in whatever the heck is going on with me, so I don’t screw this up.

As I step backward toward the door, my elbow bumps against her desk and knocks a picture over with a loud thunk. I cringe, set it back in place, and peek to see if I’ve woken her. Green eyes blink at me, a slow smile building on her beautiful face. Pulling me closer to the abyss where rational thought left and what-ifs reign.

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