Page 4 of Flirting with the CEO

As we worked, I got to thinking. It wasn’t that I was a workaholic, just determined. After Mom passed away, I’d made myself a promise: my work would make a difference. And I'd kept that promise. I regularly had breakthrough ideas. In the biotech field, that was what kept the business strong. Some discoveries were easier than others to create and bring to fruition. This last one had been particularly time-consuming. But because I didn't give up, I now had something to show for it. I couldn't wait to see the new drug on the market. If that meant having to put up with a third-party employee breathing down my neck, then so be it. I'd dealt with a lot of crap in my lifetime. I’d deal with this too.

I could certainly put up with Zoey Thomas for a year. But I had a hunch she wasn't going to last that long.

Chapter Two

Zoey

"Are you there yet?" Hans, my boss, asked.

"Yes. I just arrived at the address." Whitley Biotech was in one of the most gorgeous buildings on Congress Street. I had a thing for modern behemoths made of glass.

"All right, then. Good luck."

I liked Hans. He'd called to give me a pep talk, although he didn't need to.I’ve got this.

"Thanks. I'll keep in touch. Okay?"

"Sure. And if he drives you crazy, I can always send someone else."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a quitter, Hans."

"I know. That's why I sent you."

"All right. Let's do this. I'll send you a report," I said right before hanging up.

I sipped from my Starbucks cup, glancing up and down at the building. My boss warned me Colton Whitley would be difficult. Well, actually, everyone warned me. I’d spoken to several people from his HR department over the past month, and they'd all been slightly wary about this.

But I also knew why Hans sentmehere. I was great at my job. I’d gotten into consulting right after college because it paid very well. Then I specialized in organizational management. Over the past few years, I’d narrowed my expertise to personal organization. I’d worked one-on-one with many CEOs over the years with much success. Now I kept getting more and more difficult customers.

I understood the clients' reluctance. I wouldn't want some stranger bursting into my office and breathing down my neck for months on end. But it was what it was. I didn't mind handling difficult customers because I had mad negotiating skills, and I could usually get them to see it my way. It probably stemmed from the fact that I grew up with two annoying brothers.

I walked in five minutes earlier than I was supposed to, and an assistant led me straight to the Human Resources office. Although I was an external consultant, not an employee, the HR manager was still my main contact. Half an hour later, I was ready to hit the ground running.

I liked the office they'd assigned to me. It wasn't big, but I had a perfect view of the water. I really liked the building and its decor. Everything was light and airy. I was told they had condominiums on the top floor, though I couldn't imagine why someone would want to live above offices. It lacked the coziness I liked in a home.

Over the first few hours, people kept peeking into my office, introducing themselves, which was nice and friendly. I probably wouldn’t have much to do with any of them, but I was used to the curiosity.

---