Page 36 of Think Outside the Boss

“Yes,” is his swift reply. “We keep it off company email servers, we don’t talk about it at work.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Excellent,” he says. “Perhaps we’ll finally catch this bastard.”

I can’t help but ask, “Why me?”

“Why not you?” he retorts.

“I mean, why do you trust me?”

There’s a beat of silence, stretching out between us. Where is he in New York? Perhaps he only lives a few blocks away, and he’s sitting alone in his apartment, just like me.

“I trust your ambition,” he says finally, “because I recognize it.”

The ground we’re treading trembles beneath me. It’s a compliment, but it’s more than that. It’s recognition. It seeps through my chest and warms me as it spreads. “Are you still in the office?”

“No,” he says. “I’m at home.”

“Did you walk home alone?”

His voice is amused. “No, I didn’t. I don’t give advice I don’t follow myself.”

“That’s unusual.”

“I’m looking out at the park, actually. They’ve started setting up the amusement fair.”

His apartment overlooks Central Park. It shouldn’t surprise me, but it does. I picture him standing in front of floor-to-ceiling windows, a hand in the pocket of his slacks and another gripping his phone.

“Does it look good?”

“It looks large,” he says. “I’ll send you the names of a few people tomorrow. They’re not employees, but I want them granted access to the Thanksgiving Family Day.”

“Of course. Business associates of yours?”

His voice is dry. “More like someone called in a favor.”

“I’ll have it done right away.”

“Good.”

Neither of us says anything, but his presence is a palpable thing on the other end of the line. I don’t want to hang up.

And I don’t think he wants to either.

Closing my eyes, I breathe out the admission. “Realizing I’d sent you the first email was mortifying.”

His voice softens. “I figured.”

“But do you know… I’m not sorry.”

“Neither am I, Freddie,” he murmurs. “Neither am I.”

10

Freddie

The day has come.

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