2. Hannah

TWO

"Ah, perfect timing. Please take a seat." A pleasant woman greets me.

"Thank you," I tell her while pulling out the chair opposite her.

The conference room is large, with a giant rectangular table in the center, surrounded by chairs.

The three of them are seated in a row with the woman in the middle and their backs to the wall of windows, so when I sit, they're all outlined by the afternoon sun.

Not sure what to say, I roll my chair forward and fold my hands together on the tabletop.

"Thank you for taking the time to come chat with us. I'm Dana." The woman places a hand on her chest. "I've been the CEO of MinneSolar for three years now. Two of those years with Mr. Lovelace as the owner." She lowers the hand from her chest to tap a finger on the table in front of the man to her right.

I've purposefully kept my eyes locked on Dana since I set foot in this room. But even without looking, with only staring forward, I still knew which one was him.

His broad shoulders displace so much space he's impossible to miss.

Locking down every internal wall I have, I move my gaze from Dana to Mr. Lovelace.

His hair is longer, not buzzed short like it was in college, and his facial hair is thicker, but it's the same dark brown it was back then.

Only he's not dressed in a T-shirt or a football jersey. He's in a button-down shirt, the top two buttons undone, sleeves rolled halfway up his forearms— exposing tattoos he got during his pro years.

His slightly undone appearance makes it look like attending these interviews has been as taxing on him as they've been on us.

I want to see his eyes. See if they're the same. If I can recognize the man I once knew.

But his head is tilted down. He's typing something out on his phone, not paying attention.

Maybe, if I'm lucky, he'll keep his head down the entire time. And I can escape this room without him ever realizing who I am.

Dana gestures to her other side. "And this is Peter, the chief financial officer. Considering your positions, you'll probably chat on a regular basis."

I smile at the man who looks to be about fifty. "Nice to meet you."

The urge to talk in a higher tone to disguise my voice is tempting, but I know I won't be able to keep it up. And considering that Maddox hasn't moved, I don't think it's necessary.

Dana starts off with a few questions. Simple things. Asking about my history with the company. What I like about it. If I'd like to stay in the same position or eventually move to something else.

I answer her as honestly as possible and keep my eyes on her and Peter, avoiding the owner. The man who couldn't look less interested.

Peter points to a piece of paper in front of him, which I can see is my résumé— probably sent up by HR. "I see you were the accountant for Petals, Ms. Utley. Is that the flower shop that used to be over on 24th Street?"

When Peter says my last name, two things happen at once.

I hold my breath, and Maddox jerks his head up.