Jake

There is only so much I can handle when listening to Rhett talk. I know all the jargon leaving his lips is important, but I'd rather be on the floor working or tucked away in my office looking at reports. Instead, I'm sitting at a table full of important figures.

Most of them are aged and look like they might keel over during one of these meetings.

Currently talking about sales, he shoots a stern look in my direction. If I were anyone else, I'd crumple. His frown grows when I shoot a smile in return.

The CEO of StartBit Tech loves me. As the man on his left in this business, he's a bit obligated to.

He's going over our hottest apps for the month. Needing to impress our investors, he needs me to be the one to help convince the team of ancient men who probably still carry around flip phones in their pockets.

Lucky for him, I love talking sales. Right now, a new dating app is growing on the charts, bringing in so much ad revenue. My problem is getting me to shut up once I start going.

I don't want to hear Rhett when he regrets his decision to turn the meeting over to me.

Moving to stand, I have my slideshow up and ready the moment he returns to his seat.

Once the meeting wraps up and everyone makes haste to move on with their lives, I stretch out my limbs. My poor feet have fallen asleep and I'm worried about waking them up.

"I thought I was going to fall asleep halfway through your speech." Groaning, I let out an exaggerated sigh.

Nicolas fails at fighting back a yawn. Good to know we're both suffering here. Though, I'm not sure if I want to take offense if the information I had to reveal helped aid in his exhaustion.

"You two need to take this more seriously." Rhett runs a hand through his dark hair, sighing heavily through his nose. "And you need to make it seem like you're paying attention during the times your mouth isn't open."

Smiling cheekily, I shrug. "It's not like this isn't a pattern, man. They'll sit here clutching their wallets like we're here to steal their money. Then they invest and suddenly become our best friends when they see we actually know what we're talking about."

Every Friday, we have these meetings with new faces. With us reaching the weekend, I want to call it a day and slip away to have some fun.

When Rhett pinches his brow, I fight the urge to roll my eyes. Like the men who were just in the room, gray hairs seep through his hair right above his temples. Barely in his forties, the stress may have caused the streaks instead of his age.

"What are you two doing after this? I think we should make up some plans here. The day is coming to an end here." Tapping my thumb against the table, I can only hope they'll accept my invite.

Nicolas is the first to grimace. He's never one to get caught out in the public. Not a fan of getting a lot of attention from the opposite sex, he'd rather go somewhere quiet where he can remain unnoticed. Not exactly my idea of fun.

Our CEO turns his nose at the offer, not even needing to say no.

"It's Friday." With an exaggerated sigh, I frown at both of them. "Come on. I know neither of you are doing anything. We haven't gone clubbing in ages."

Rhett stacks his reports. "I have an image to uphold, just as you do. I apologize for not wanting tabloids to write the most ridiculous headlines about me. Nor do I have time for all those distractions."

Okay, he's got a point. After so long, you get used to dealing with false-claimed pregnancies and marriage claims. Funny enough, I like seeing my face on articles. Boosts my ego a bit.

Seeing Nicolas scrolling through his phone, I already know why he's not willing to join. The dude has blinders on, unwilling to look at any woman. He's still stuck on some past fling.

"I need more time off to make more friends, or you two need to start acting the role a little better." Pushing out of my chair, I click my tongue. "If not a club, we can do anything we want. I'm so bored."

"You work your own schedule," Rhett reminds as he finishes packing up. Slinging his bag strap over his shoulder, he gives a nod to Nic before returning his attention back in my direction. "I'm sure you'll find something to entertain yourself with. Better yet, find more friends. You have my support. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more work to do."

Once we're alone, I groan. "He's seriously a buzzkill."

"He's got a lot of weight on his shoulders." Nicolas joins me as we head out of the room.

"We're literally going to the same place and he couldn't be bothered to stick around long enough to walk with us." Shaking my head, I force a smile to return to my lips once we're passing by employees. "He's got a stick up his ass. If he were to get laid, maybe it would loosen him up a little."

That makes the man at my side snort. Whether he agrees or not, he doesn't say.

"Say you'll go out with me." Begging here, I groan when he grimaces.

"There's got to be something better you can do with your time, man. Find a hobby or something."

Being social is my hobby. I'm not the sort of person who enjoys hanging out at home after my usual eight hours here.

If Nicolas wasn't so caught up with his own issues, he'd be a little bit cooler. I'd have a drinking buddy and a wingman to help score chicks. Instead, I've got the guy who can't stop looking at his phone even while in the middle of a conversation.

He doesn't think I see it, but he's making it kind of obvious here. All the disinterest in the women I try to set him up with, it's a tragedy. This man is obsessed with an old girlfriend. He might try to hide his phone screen, but I'm sure she's the one who always has his attention.

How sad. What if I'm able to help solve this issue of his and clear up his schedule?

All these years, watching him spiral toward his downfall from the background, I don't want to see my good friend here suffer anymore. Out of the goodness of my heart, I know I can use my skills. With all the experience on my belt, it'll only be an insult if I can't fill the hole in his chest.

At least with Rhett, it makes sense with his bachelor status. I can't fix a resting bitch face. The dude scares off every woman who even tries to wiggle her way over. He's happy to be single, so there's no point in rescuing him.

Nic, I can do.

Entering the elevator, I'm surprised when he hits the ‘twelve' on the pad, I lift a brow. "Now you're abandoning me as well?"

"I have work to do." Nicolas explains shortly. "Rhett wants us to follow up on our departments. Please tell me you check your emails when he sends them."

Shrugging, I earn an eye-roll before the doors slide back open.

"Follow up before Rhett gets serious about layoffs. I'd hate to see you go." His grin makes it hard to take him seriously. Both men love me, even if I annoy them a bit. My managing skills are top notch.

Helps that we haven't gone bankrupt yet.

Saluting him as the doors slide shut, I take the elevator higher and higher while catching the view through the glass on the way up. After all these years, I've never grown tired of seeing the city.

As the doors slide open, I step out onto the top floor.

Putting my plan in action now that I'm alone, I hit up the front desk managing the three doors belonging to our offices. The thin brunette is currently taking a call, shooting me a smile as I catch her gaze. Lucy always melts from a little bit of attention.

Rhett immediately told me not to hook up with the woman when I showed a little bit of interest. What a shame. She's not bad on the eyes one bit. I might not be able to sleep with her, but that doesn't mean I can't humor myself with a flirtatious smile from time to time.

Heading toward Nic's office, I convince her not to breathe a word. I want this to be a surprise.

Taking a seat at his computer, an unwelcome locked screen meets me right at the start. Unfortunately for him, I know his password is her name. I may have watched the rush of his fingers enough times to put two and two together.

Nicolas must believe no one would dare do something like this. Why else would he have his desktop and phone connected with the same account?

Always gives me stalker vibes whenever it comes to how he feels about his past relationship, but who am I to question one of my best friends? Typing in Eloise's name, a little browser history hunting is all it takes to find what I need.

The woman is running a bakery in some small town I've never heard of. It's attached to a bay of water, so I'm sure it's got quite a view.

He's got her looked up on most of the social media platforms. Clicking on the most recent to avoid suspicion, my breath catches when an image of the woman fills the screen.

I've never had the chance to see her before, not like Nicolas would reveal enough so I could hunt her down during my free time. I've got to say, she's something. I've always wondered what his type was, but I didn't take him for a blonde and curvy type.

Staring at the image of her standing in front of a GRAND OPENING sign, my eyes burn as I forget to blink.

She's got a soft smile paired with lit eyes. It looks like the picture was captured only two years ago.

Now knowing her full name and where she works, I power everything down despite having the urge to start clicking through photos. I can do that on my own time without arousing any suspicion.

In and out in a matter of minutes, I'm taking the elevator back down while strolling through my phone. Instead of following up with the marketing district on the sixth floor, I walk aimlessly down the halls. I'm too busy starting my hunt. I hardly have enough time to be distracted by those around me. Instead, I'm too focused on taking everything in about Eloise.

I wouldn't dare try to steal a woman from a friend, but I have to admit, I'm a bit jealous she's spoken for.

Not bad on the eyes at all. Not exactly my type, but that is always subject to change.

As I'm doing my research, I'm quick to discover this woman has run into an issue in her past. Well, in the past four months. There's a video of her with a few hundred thousand views.

One watch-through has curious stares coming and going in my direction as I let out a laugh.

There's a poor woman behind the register trying to calm down Eloise. After the woman had thrown a cupcake at the customer in the face, I listen as obscenities flood from her plump lips. Even without the context of what events led up to this happening, I can see how bad this looks.

From the looks of it, many people are siding with the customer due to the unprofessionalism. Though, there are a few white knights in the comments as well. Those are easily drowned in the hate. What a shame.

Sadly, I know how easy it is to gather up a mob mentality. Once a business is in too deep, it's hard to pull out. Reputations are easy to ruin. I've had plenty of apps disappear because of rumors involving the developers.

How interesting. It seems there's a bit more to this woman than I originally thought. She's not just some random nobody. There's a fire in her eyes that draws me in. She's not the same bright-eyed woman in that picture from two years ago.

Searching deeper, I can see all the sales she's promoting. If I have to guess, her earnings have plummeted. I could use her misfortune for my gain. Offer my assistance in a way.

Once I've found her website, I spot the Contact Us section. Grabbing her email, I start my planning.

I need to get her here in Seattle to get the ball rolling. Not because I wouldn't mind seeing her in person, but to help out Nicolas and fix his obsessive behavior. Help him move on and get back onto the market.

Now, all I need to do is plan on how to convince her to come.

Hitting an empty elevator, I make my way down to the ground floor. With a few stops in between, I give greetings in passing.

There's no denying the way people straighten up in my presence. Even though I'm an absolute delight to be around, my title is all it takes to make employees act differently. Rhett likes it when people avoid him at all costs. Says he enjoys the space. Can't say I feel the same.

Reaching the large lobby, I've turned my hunt to searching for close buildings to rent out.

I could offer Eloise a franchise building to help expand her business. She'd be in charge, so that means she'll have to come visit from time to time. If I'm the one who will financially support her, we'll have conversations left and right.

Will phone calls and occasional emails be enough? My feelings aside, once Nic gets word of her arrival, he'll want to leave the building to see her to the point where it can only be described as a distraction. It would be much easier to have her come here directly. However, there aren't any rentals available.

Taking a look around the lobby, I glance at the small cafe tucked in the corner. Over a year ago, I had it put in for the well-being of our employees. Wrote it off as a way to keep them energized and highly motivated. Work performance has gone up since, proving my decision to be correct.

How hard will it be to get a little bakery put in? A muffin with a coffee sounds like a killer combo. If I decide to spend a little money, no one should give me too much of a hard time. Especially after my previous success.

Making my mind up, I start my hunt for contractors. I'll give myself one month to convince this woman to come over here. If I'm lucky, I can talk her into moving here permanently.

Once I make a decision, I always follow through. If I'm determined enough, I'll do whatever I can to get her here.