She looked up at me, then back at her file, confusion furrowing her brows before her eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, no, this is just the employee handbook.”
I nodded. “It’s quite thick.”
She glanced sideways at me. “I was told it’s the exact size the boss wanted.”
Her smile was enchanting. Was that a jab at me? Did she think I didn’t know what was in my own company’s handbook?
Amused, I turned fully to face her. “Really? Well, what the boss wants, the boss gets.”
I remembered revising the handbook a few months ago, but I hadn’t changed the length. Besides, she wouldn’t know the difference. I expected her to retreat, to assume that deer-like demeanor I’d seen earlier. Most people would—mutter an apology or keep silent to avoid further confrontation.
But she held my gaze and shrugged. “Yeah, that’s what I’m told. We all must please the boss.”
I let out a small chortle of surprise. Maybe I was wrong to have likened her to a timid doe.
She seemed surprised by her own boldness, too. She quickly placed a palm on my forearm. “I'm joking, I’m joking. I’m sorry, it must be first-day jitters making me talk. Plus, I don’t want you to think I’m repeating employee gossip.”
My eyes strayed to her hand on my jacket sleeve, wondering if she realized she’d put it there. She straightened, pulling her hand away before clearing her throat awkwardly.
“Hmm,” I acknowledged.
From the corner of my eye, I could see Olivia and the two other paralegals staring straight ahead, but I knew they were listening. How could they not be? The elevator suddenly felt like the smallest one ever built.
I should keep quiet now, but I was enjoying our little conversation. I wanted to hear what else she had to say.
“You’ve been here, what?” I glanced at my watch. “Four hours? How’s it been?”
She laughed. “You’re already reviewing my job?”
“Yes,” I replied, tilting my head toward her, waiting for her to continue.
I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted to know what she thought of my law practice. I’d poured time and energy into making the firm what it was today. With the low employee turnover rate and a 94% case success rate, I’d reached the high standards I’d set for myself. But I still wanted her opinion.
The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open. The two paralegals hurried out, their footsteps echoing. I stepped out, and Celia followed behind me.
“Well, some of your employees are quite prickly.” She casted a pointed glance at my five o’clock shadow. “And apparently, it’s a sin to drink lattes with ice in these parts.”
My laughter was abrupt and unexpected for both of us. I had anticipated something about the work environment or the employee handbook, but she threw me a curveball. I got the sense she intensified her Southern drawl a bit as she said, “these parts.”
I brushed my palm over my jaw, feeling the prickly stubble that had begun to grow. I would need to take care of it once I got home tonight.
Olivia cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, Mr. Waltons, but the board members are waiting.”
“Of course,” I answered, turning back to Miss Adams. “Have a good day.”
I turned toward the hall, and before I got too far, I heard Miss Adams mutter, “You, too.”
I glanced back at her and couldn’t help but notice how pretty she looked.
Not again, Anton, a warning in the back of my head called me out, but I reasoned that not all women were troublesome, with marriage and family-making ideas in their heads. And I wasn’t doing anything—just admiring. But even as I told myself that, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was only trying to convince myself of something I didn’t fully believe.
Chapter six
Celia
My first day of work started with an orientation—definitely not the fun kind. I was on my feet from the moment I stepped into the building. One of the women from Human Resources practically shoved the contract and the employee handbook into my hands.
I toured all the rooms on the eighth floor, and by the end of the day, I had an access card with my picture, delivered two trays of coffee to my colleagues, and knew who to call in the event of anything from a toilet leak to a building invasion. I even asked the woman how likely a repeat ofDie Hardwas in these parts, but she just gave me a blank stare. Apparently, along with iced lattes, humor was also a sin at this firm.
