Page 29 of Executives' Omega
Brendan leaned on the counter surrounding my desk. “So… I know this is early, but we’d like to discuss how you feel about your position.”
The blood drained from my face.
He stood abruptly and held out his hands, waving them as if to ward off bad thoughts. “No, no. We’re not firing you, nothing of the sort. But we do have some things we need to discuss. Can you meet us in the back conference room at four? I think an hour will be plenty.”
“I…I…” I swallowed, then nodded. “Ok.”
“Good,” he replied with a smile. “And you should call your mate and ask him to make dinner plans because I think you’ll find the meeting to be good news.”
“What mate?”
He blinked. “Your boyfriend then?”
I shook my head.
He tilted his head to one side. “I could have sworn I saw you cuddled up to an alpha this past weekend, sitting on a lawn in the Sunset Hills neighborhood.”
I wondered what he was talking about, then remembered that was the area where Jace’s papa lived. I laughed. “No. That was my cousin. We’re… close. But it’s all platonic. I’m not seeing anybody.”
“Really?” he mused, dragging out the sound.
“We were only out there for a few minutes though. I’m surprised you saw us.” Then another thought hit me. “What were you doing out there?”
He laughed. “I bought my parents a house in the area a few years ago. I offered to get them something bigger or newer, but they insisted that a simple house in a quiet neighborhood was all they needed.”
“I see.”
He rapped his knuckles on the counter. “I’ve got a full day, so I’ll see you at four.”
“Four,” I echoed.
My stomach twisted into knots as soon as he was out of sight. He’d indicated that the discussion would be good, but would their definition of good, and mine, be the same?
Even if it was good, what would happen when I left?
I tried focusing on my work, but by the time lunch rolled around, I was so on edge that I ended up driving down to the pizza place Owen managed so that I could talk to him while I ate.
I only felt marginally better when I returned, but he’d reminded me of my promise to stay a bit longer and encouraged me to at least hear them out if they said it was good, rather than making my mind up before the meeting.
I stepped out of the elevator, only slightly trembling, and stared at a small pink box perched on the edge of the counter around my desk. I walked over and saw the logo of a local bakery on top.
“My apology.”
I jumped and spun, heart hammering from shock when I saw Linden standing in the hall, looking slightly embarrassed.
“Wh-what?”
He pointed to the box. “I… I was going to take you to lunch to apologize. I’ve been an ass all week, and you haven’t deserved it. I wanted to clear the air before the meeting, but when I came out you were already gone.”
“I… ummm…”
He walked over and took my hands in his. “I’m sorry Ryan. I know this doesn’t make up for how I’ve acted, but I wanted something to apologize with.”
“You didn’t need to.”
He shook his head. “I do… because words alone aren’t enough.”
I licked my lips. “Can you tell me what I did, so I don’t do it again?”
