Chapter 14

FOURTEEN

My first week on the job was exhausting.

There was so much to learn, from policies to procedures and computer systems, plus learning everyone’s name. It got to the point where I played this game in my head to try and link someone’s face to their name. Like the man who looks like Brad Pitt, but his name is Jeffrey. So, every time I interacted with him, I’d sing this stupid song to myself about Brad Pitt working for Amazon, only to get to the part where Amazon reminded me of Jeffrey.

Like I said … exhausted.

My brain is overloaded, working extra hard to retain all the information so Meredith doesn’t think I’m incompetent.

For the most part, Meredith is fine to work with. She’s straightforward with her instructions, always thinks one step ahead, and has her shit together. It’s easy to see why she’s an executive assistant. Her organization skills are next level.

The hours are longer than expected, not that Meredith forced me to stay back. I just thought it would be smart to catch up on work when no one was around. The office is large and always chaotic, with people in and out of meetings. Plus, there is always some celebration in the kitchen, which I don’t mind so much because it means cake.

Late hours mean leaving here close to dark. Thank God Mom gave me the car back because, without it, I’d be riding the bus late with strangers.

Two weeks pass, and things become more routine and less daunting. Colleagues’ names aren’t so hard to remember anymore. Most of them are older college graduates with degrees. They are nice enough but being the youngest is always hard, like I needed to prove myself. Story of my fucking life.

Josh, from IT, invited me to one of the events in Malibu next week. I suspect he has a thing for me since he keeps asking me out to lunch. He’s cute, sure, but workplace romances or flings seem like a super bad idea. Eric made sure to inform me of that the day I started work. It came with a spiel that started something like “Suits are the devil’s playground ….”

It’s Monday morning. According to Meredith, it’s the monthly board meeting, so she got in early to start preparing. She gave me a list of tasks, all of which are manageable and nothing too out of my comfort zone. As I sit at my desk with my head down, Monica, one of the ladies in finance, pops by to say hello.

“You ready for the meeting?”

I glance up and smile. “I’ve prepared everything Meredith has asked me to do.”

Monica shakes her head with a grin. “No, I meant, are you ready for the meeting? He’s back.”

“Who’s back?”

“Hunter,” she whispers while leaning in. “But people call him Mr. Cash.”

“Oh, I’m not going to the meeting.”

“Of course you are. Your name is listed as an attendee.”

Confused by what Monica says, I open the document with the attendee’s list and see my name. I don’t know how I missed it before, probably because I was so busy doing other things.

“You’re right,” I mumble, followed by a wave of panic. “I’ve never met Mr. Cash.”

Monica nods with a knowing smirk. “Well, aren’t you in for a treat then.”

Without saying another word, Monica leaves, prompting me to rush to Meredith’s office, which is beside Hunter’s. Mr. Cash. Shit, what do I even call him?

My knuckles tap on the door, then Meredith looks up.

“Um, Meredith, you never mentioned me having to attend the meeting,” I mention, trying to hide my panic.

“Mr. Cash only requested it this morning.”

“Oh, he did?”

“Yes,” Meredith answers, removing her glasses to wipe them, only to place them back on again. “Is that a problem?”

“Uh, no,” I mumble.

I turn back around, wondering why I’m so nervous, but I manage to busy myself with work until it’s time to join everyone. Thankfully, I wore a very presentable blouse and skirt, yet I decide to wear my blazer, not sure what a board meeting attire should be.

All the things I need are in my hands: Laptop, notebook, pen, the agenda printed out, and my phone. Taking the deepest of breaths and giving myself a much-needed pep talk, I walk to the boardroom to join everyone.

Inside the room, four men are already sitting at the table. Monica quickly enters, smiling at me before taking a seat. I look at her in a panic, not sure where I’m supposed to sit until she motions with her head to move toward the back of the room.

Meredith enters next, taking a seat right at the front, which is next to Mr. Cash. She glances at me from the front before making her way toward where I sit.

“You’ll be responsible for recording the minutes of this meeting. Try to record as much as you can,” she instructs, straightening her shoulders. “The meeting will be about three hours. Please help yourself to the refreshments, beverages, or anything offered during the meeting.”

My mouth opens to ask a question about the minutes, but she walks away as quickly as she walked over here.

The boardroom fills up within minutes, with almost all seats taken apart from the important one at the front. About twenty people are in the room, making it far less intimidating than before.

“Please stand for Mr. Cash,” Meredith announces.

Everyone in the room stands up, so I follow, but my curiosity gets the better of me. I glance at the door as Mr. Cash walks in. His greeting is simple, just a “Please sit” before he gets himself settled. How bizarre Meredith requested everyone stand like he’s the king or something.

Today he’s wearing a navy suit without a matching vest. His white shirt is buttoned down, showing a small area of his chest. I can’t help but stare, blaming Ava for putting thoughts in my head. Fine, thirty is not so old if the person is hot.

Then, his eyes dart to mine, forcing me to smile politely from nerves. He doesn’t smile back, instead turning away to talk to Meredith. I swallow the lump in my throat, wondering why he would insist I join this meeting if he can’t even smile politely.

The meeting drags on for what feels longer than three hours. Each department has its turn of speaking, mainly numbers and projections. Occasionally, Mr. Cash voices his opinion, to which no one disagrees.

Jeffrey smashes the finger sandwiches, and Monica stares at the little cherry tarts for the longest time before eating three in a row. I try not to focus on anyone else, but boredom finds me when a heated debate starts about subscription fees, and I assume the argument shouldn’t be part of the minutes.

Mr. Cash calls for the meeting to end, wrapping up with a speech about what he expects to see next month.

As everyone chatters while exiting the room, I pack up my things to follow. Meredith walks over to me with an unusual expression. I’m not sure what it is. A mixture of confusion and worry.

“Alexa, Mr. Cash would like to speak to you privately.”

Confused, I tilt my head. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No,” she’s quick to answer. “He has just requested to speak to you once everyone leaves. Please stay back.”

“Um … okay,” I stammer.

My heart begins to race like I’m running a marathon, making it hard to do simple tasks without my limbs turning to Jell-O. I think back to all the times there have been confrontational moments, but oddly, they mainly involved my father.

Then, I think, if I can go up against Lex Edwards, to which many people have tried and failed, I can go up against anyone.

Okay, calm the fuck down. You don’t even know what he wants.

With a deep breath, I gather my things and walk toward where he sits. Meredith is standing next to him but leaves as I get closer, shutting the door behind her.

It’s just us alone in the boardroom, making it all the more intimidating. Mr. Cash glances at me with the same expressionless look as before.

“Please, sit,” he commands.

I place my belongings on the table, then sit where Meredith was sitting during the meeting.

“I’d like to formally introduce myself,” he begins, extending his hand. “Hunter Cash.”

My hand reaches out to him, and as our skin touches, the warmth of his sends a sensation throughout me which catches me by surprise. Instantly, my thighs press together as the unknown feeling stirs. Blame Ava.

His chestnut-colored eyes continue to watch me. With a courteous smile, I pull back my hand and place it on the table, ignoring my now sweaty palms.

“Alexandra Edwards,” I introduce myself in a rush, realizing it was rude of me not to say anything during the handshake. “I’m Meredith’s assistant, but I guess you know that.”

“I am always aware of what goes on inside my office and more importantly, at my company.”

“Of course,” I say with a forced smile. “It makes for a successful entrepreneur and CEO.”

He tilts his head with a curious gaze, making me regret what I said. I hate that my father’s influence has stuck with me over the years. Some things are hard to forget.

“An interesting observation,” he simply replies, “especially from someone as young as yourself.”

My lips press together, not wanting to say anything else, especially about my family. I’m sure the internet reveals my identity, but as far as I’m concerned, I won’t be mentioning it unless asked directly.

“Thank you.”

Great, what kind of a response is that? Sweat forms on my back, causing my blouse to stick uncomfortably to my skin.

“I guess there’s no tiptoeing around the subject matter,” he begins as I hold my breath, praying I don’t have to talk about the fact that I’m an Edwards. “April has informed me you’re staying in my house.”

How stupid of me to forget. My shoulders relax, grateful my family is not the subject at hand.

“Yes, she kindly offered. I promise it’s not for long,” I ramble, not taking a breath. “I should be gone soon once I find a new place to stay. Hopefully close to the office.”

Mr. Cash, Hunter, shit, he hasn’t even told me what I should call him.

“April is welcome to have friends stay.”

“And your wife,” I continue, with a nervous energy. “She’s lovely, Mr. Cash.”

The second I call him formally, his expression stiffens. Unsure why, my eyes drift to his hand resting on the table. He clenches a fist, almost as if my calling him Mr. Cash angers him.

“My wife,” he strains, gritting his teeth. “Is anything but lovely.”

Oh great, now what have I stepped into? Surely, my big fat mouth could have been kept shut. I think of ways to segue out of it, again, learning much-needed lessons from my father.

“She’s been nothing but accommodating and lovely to me,” I tell him, trying to steer the conversation. “With all due respect, Mr. Cash, I have all these minutes I need to email out. Is there anything else you need me for?”

His eyes meet mine, our gaze locking in uncomfortable silence. I can’t deny it, he is incredibly sexy. He has that whole chiseled jawline going for him which means his face appears very masculine. As for his hair, it’s a mousy brown color and slicked back, styled like he’s modeling for an Armani campaign.

I’ve always been turned off by the older man thing, given that Cole is my age, but thirty ain’t so bad. Maturity is all of a sudden sexy, and I find myself squeezing my thighs shut again at the thought.

God, what fucked up rabbit hole are you falling into?

“That’s all I need ….” He trails off, lowering his gaze to the table, but then slowly raises his eyes to meet mine again. “For now … Alexandra.”

I smile politely, then grab my things with shaky hands as he watches me. Quickly, I rise from the chair, careful not to lose my balance from whatever the hell is happening to my nervous system.

Exiting the room, I close the door behind me and let out a huge breath which comes out a rasp.

As long as things stay professional inside the office, I can get through whatever he throws at me.

But as for staying in his home … I beg myself to save every penny to get out of there as fast as possible.