Flashing a polite smile, I glance at her name badge. “Time’s flying by, Sheila.” I got the call last night that I’ve officially been transferred to the EdTechU LA office, ending my remote work status. I can still work from home here and there, but they want me in the office most days of the week, starting today. Leaving Willa this morning was probably tougher on me than her. It’s been a full week of spending almost every waking moment together, learning more about each other, watching all of Willa’s favorite movies, and cuddling the nights away. We’ve created a cozy little nest in her bedroom that I’m already aching to get back to.
“There we go. I have a note here for you to head straight toHR. Here’s a temp pass, and I need you to look at the green dot for your permanent ID photo.”
I’ve barely settled into an easy smile when a flash blinds me. “Thanks, Sheila,” I say, sliding the pass off the desk. “Could you remind me where HR is?”
“Top floor. They’re the only ones up there. Have a fantastic first day!”
When the elevator settles on the fifth floor, I’m greeted by another receptionist and invited to grab a coffee while I wait. I take a seat on the stiff, cognac colored sofa and drum my fingers on my knees, wondering why I’m even up here. When I got the call last night, everything sounded like a done deal. I’m anxious to get started with my new team.
“Trevor?” A short Latina in a blue EdTechU polo identical to mine stands in the doorway behind the reception desk, hugging a tablet. A friendly smile stretches across her face. I maneuver my way to her, and she sticks out a hand. “I’m Gabriela Sanchez. Come on in.”
“Nice to meet you, Gabriela,” I say, her long black ponytail swaying as I follow behind her.
“Well, Trevor…” She sets the tablet on her steel executive desk and flips through documents in a folder. The floor-to-ceiling windows behind her overlook a large courtyard, surrounded by three other buildings on the EdTechU campus. “It seems you’re a hot commodity around here.”
“Pardon?”
“We have two departments fighting over you.”
Confusion pinches my face. “I requested a lateral transfer to Malcolm’s team…”
“You did. And when I called yesterday, that was my understanding too. But apparently, there’s another department who requested you months ago, before you ever sent your transfer. You were auto-filled into the open flex trainer position this morning, and the spot on Malcolm’s team was filled by another internaltransfer. Nothing’s set in stone, of course, but this promotion is yours if you accept it.”
“Uh…” No one would have needed to sell me on this a few months ago. It would have been my dream being on the road most days of the week. But now, with so many unknowns surrounding the baby? It couldn’t be a worse time.
Gabriela’s eyes dart behind me as someone knocks on the open door. “Marla! Maybe you can help us sort all of this out.”
I had no idea it was possible for blood to boil and freeze simultaneously, but here I am. Marla-fucking-Rhodes holds my job in her hands, and I have no choice but to face her. I clench my jaw as I turn, hoping my teeth meld together so I don’t get an HR violation from losing it on her. When our eyes meet and she steps forward, it takes every muscle in my body to lift my hand and shake hers. My skin crawls. I slide my hand into my pocket immediately, turning back to Gabriela. “So, what’s the solution here?” I ask.
Marla clears her throat and cuts in. “The flex team would love to have you, Trevor. After we reviewed your file, it’s clear you’ve essentially been doing the job already. Everyone agreed you’d be a perfect addition.”
“With your education and experience in sales, you’re in a bit of a niche skill-wise. So this would be a dual role with the official title of corporate and sales training specialist.That would, of course, be reflected in a nice salary bump for you too, if that helps your decision,” Gabriela adds, sliding a paper from the file folder toward me.
Goddamn. A salary increase of 30 percent would put me into six figures. That alone is enticing as hell. And a dual role would hit a lot of my goals, professionally. But being away most of the week goes against the support I’ve promised to Willa. And working with the headache beside me every day? I don’t know… Never in a million years did I think I’d ever contemplate turning down my dream job.What if it’s my only chance?“Can I get more details about the onboarding process?” I ask Gabriela.
“Of course you can,” Marla cuts in again with a smile.Why the hell does she keep talking? I jut my tongue into my lower lip to quell the rage. She tucks a clump of curls behind her ear nervously, then straightens her white blouse. “Um, today would serve as a working interview—just a formality, really. You’d go through a provisional training for the next several weeks, similar to the on-site supervision you were doing in San Francisco. Then you’d ease into short overnight trips while you get your bearings. After that, your flex assignment would be traveling Sunday to Thursday, with actual on-site days being Monday to Wednesday. Since it’s a dual role, your assignments would be split between the niches as company needs dictate—but never double duty. And Fridays are in-office days for everyone on the team, so you’ll be home for the weekends.”
“And my supervisor would be…?”
Gabriela clears her throat. “Your direct supervisor would be the training director, Miles Montego. Marla is over all of the flex trainers, but seeing as you two have a documented relationship history, any decisions concerning you will need to be run through Marla’s superior—Miles—and HR.”
“Miles got called into an emergency meeting this morning, or else he’d be here instead of me,” Marla rambles nervously.
At least there’s that. It doesn’t stop my seething, but she won’t be able to make any rash decisions about my career without getting permission first. That’s a good thing. “I’m not in the best position in my life to take on a traveling schedule. Circumstances require me to stick close to LA for now.”
Marla’s curiosity is written all over her face, but I don’t want to give her this glimpse into my personal life. It’s none of her damn business. “Well…”she says. “Between training and your provisional period, you’d be close to LA for the next several months anyway. Is that enough time?”
From the way she steps back, steam must shoot from my flared nostrils when I fix my eyes on her. “I’m afraid not.”
“Is everything okay?” Her voice is soft, nudging a trip wirecontaining too many memories. “We can accommodate your schedule for illness or?—”
“I have a baby due in June, and my…” I choke on the wordgirlfriend. Willa and I haven’t talked about what we are, but she’s so much more than that to me. “There’s been a complication, and I need to be close.”
Marla’s face falls. She tugs at her sleeves and mashes her lips together, trying to hide the surprise on her face, and I hate that I know this about her. It gives me a little satisfaction though. Not so fun to be on the receiving end of surprising news,is it, Marla?
Gabriela steps from around her desk, no doubt sensing the tension in the air. “Well, congratulations on the baby! How wonderful! I hope the complication is under control.”
“Thank you. It’s being managed for now, but I need to stay close. And I need to discuss it with?—”
