Chapter 3

Chapter Three

One full weekat the new job, and I felt more isolated than ever. The CEO had me bogged down with onboarding crap for my entire first week. A full week, sequestered in my new office, going over pile after pile of paperwork. And not once did he think to even introduce me to my staff. He introduced me to the board, sure, but not my staff.

That would change today. It was my first meeting with the marketing department. Nervously, I looked over my presentation yet again, shuffling papers to have something to do with my hands. Nerves were a bitch.

Deep breath, Willow. You know what you’re doing.

My internal pep talk was interrupted as people began shuffling into the large conference room. Forty-eight people, all shoved tightly into the space, made it feel cramped. It was suffocating. As they each settled into their seats, I plastered on what I hoped was a welcoming smile. There was nothing worse than having a new boss who was fake and distant. I wanted this team to know that I was one of them; that they could come to me. I needed them to trust me.

“Welcome, everyone. I’m so happy to be here and to be a part of this incredible company. You’ve all heard the same spiel a hundred times I’m sure, but that’s not what you’re going to get from me. I have packets here outlining the changes I’d like to see in the department, but the most important thing to me is employee well-being. One of the things I was brought in to do is to better manage employee well-being and help find a more suitable work life balance for each of you. So with that in mind, let’s take a moment to get to know each other just a bit. My name is —”

“Willow Ashford?! Is that you!? Oh Em Gee!” With a loud squeal and a flash of dark brown hair, I was nearly tackled to the ground in a surprise attack of hugs.

One week of onboarding? Check.

Being assaulted during my first meeting? Check.

What the hell was happening?

Arms finally released me, and a face came into view.

Shit.

“Alyssa! Oh, um… hi…” I babbled awkwardly.

Alyssa Stone was here.

In my conference room.

As my employee.

How had I missed her name, going over my data?

“It’s been so long. I had no idea that you were our new boss! How cool is that?” She bounced up and down with delight. Heat flooded my face as I blushed.

“Alyssa, maybe we could chat afterwards? I need to run this meeting.” I cleared my throat awkwardly, my eyes roving over the crowd of assembled employees. Was I losing their respect? Was I completely making a mess of this?

Yes, probably.

“Oh, right! My bad. Carry on!” she announced to the group, walking slowly back to her seat. “That’s my best friend,” she whispered to person after person. The seconds ticked by, sweat gathering at the small of my back and the backs of my thighs. Suddenly, I was far more worried about how I smelled.

This. Was. A. Disaster.

“I’m soglad you’re here, Willow! I had no idea you were back in town! Tell me everything!” Alyssa’s voice grated on my nerves, her over-bubbly attitude even more apparent than it was back in high school — if that was even possible. We sat at a small table at a cafe just a block away from Medicrest Pharmaceuticals. I had convinced her that taking a lunch together to catch up was better than in the middle of a meeting.

“I moved back a few weeks ago, after being offered the job.” I picked at my salad, hunger having left me from the moment she bombarded me in that conference room.

“So did you hate Denver? I thought you said you loved it there.” She dug into her food, her eyes bright with excitement.

“I didn’t hate Denver. I loved it, actually. But after Dad passed away and —”

“Oh my God, Willow. I totally didn’t think about that. How are you doing?” She reached across the table to touch my hand, her brows furrowed with concern.

“It’s been a year, Alyssa. I’m doing okay. I just decided I’d rather be closer to Mom now, if I could. So when this job opportunity came up, I took it.” I shrugged lightly, her loud display making me feel awkward.

“Of course. Well, you know I’m here for you, hun. And now we work together! We’re coworkers! How cool is that? On the same team again, just like back in high school!” Her excitement was overwhelming, but I forced a smile.

“Well, I’m your boss, technically,” I corrected her lightly.

“Yeah, but who cares about all that? Doesn’t really matter,” she shrugged, shoving a forkful of salad into her mouth.

“It’s a big deal to keep our work relationship professional, Lyss. I really can’t have you acting like you did in the conference room again. It was unprofessional.”

“Yeah, I know. Sorry about that. But can you blame me?” With a light giggle, she checked her phone for the fifth time since we had sat down.

Yes. Yes, I could blame her entirely.

Shaking off the stress, I went back to my salad.

“So, are you dating anyone?” she asked out of nowhere.

I froze, trying to avoid blushing as thoughts of Adam — her father — flashed through my head.

“Um, no. I’m not dating anyone at the moment.”

“Weren’t you dating that one guy? What was his name…Trevor? Tristan?”

“Thomas,” I provided, the sharp pang of loss making my hunger disappear for good this time as I lowered my fork back down to my plate.

“Right, Thomas. What happened there?”

“I’d rather not get into it. We just didn’t work out.”

“Well, that’s okay! Fresh new start for our shy, little Willow. Oh! I know. I’ll set you up! My boyfriend, Avery — ugh, remind me to tell you all about him — he’s got friends. I can set you up with one of them! They’re in a band. It would be perfect! We can be groupies together!” Bouncing in her seat, I was nearly transported back to high school. That’s where Alyssa seemed to still be.

Nearing my thirties, the idea of dating a guy in a band and being a groupie was not exactly my idea of a fun time. Truth be told, it hadn’t been my idea of a good time even back in high school. That was Alyssa’s scene. I had just been along for the ride.

“I don’t think I’m interested in that, Lyss, but thanks anyway.”

“Oh, come on, Willow! You can find a good man. You just need to… you know… dress up a bit, put in a little effort with your hair and makeup and such.” Reaching across the table, she fluffed a curl of my hair.

“I’m wearing makeup,” I said flatly, raising one eyebrow.

“That’s exactly my point. Yes, you’re wearing makeup, but if you just put in a little more effort, you’d have the boys flocking to you. Oh! I can show you how to put on fake eyelashes! They’d look so good on you, with those big eyes of yours.”

That was the problem. Alyssa was trying to match me with some boy when, in reality, I had no interest in boys.

I only wanted a Daddy.

And how was I supposed to handle the fact that the Daddy I was interested in was her father?