A Little Christmas Pretense by Rachel A Andersen

Author:Rachel A Andersen [Andersen, Rachel A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781711043418
Publisher: Rachel Andersen
Published: 2019-12-11T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

The walk out of the break room was excruciating. At least fourteen pairs of eyes scrambled for something else to do as the door opened. Though she had done nothing to be ashamed of, she couldn’t help but pray for the ground to open and swallow her whole. Anything would be preferable to walking past all of the people who thought they knew what had just happened in that room.

Their looks answered the question which had lingered in her mind about whether or not Richard had been overheard when he shared her private thoughts on the company’s leadership.

It might have been more bearable if Richard had stayed beside her, but he had claimed to need to make a phone call before he could leave. Coward, she couldn’t help but think to herself with an odd mixture of affection and irritation. In defense, he hadn’t been the one to close the door and see all of the staff members who had overheard him reveal her ideal candidate for the company’s leadership.

Mr. Fortescue stood at the entrance to the conference room, a clear look of displeasure creasing lines in his brow and at the corners of his lips directed at her.

She forced a thin, wobbly smile to her lips as she ducked behind her desk.

Why was it that he managed to find himself nearby almost every time she found even the tiniest shred of happiness in Richard’s company?

The phone rang, and Cindy was grateful for the reprieve from her thoughts. Richard walked toward the elevator and offered her a subtle wave goodbye. She merely nodded in his direction as the voice on the line said something about the catering for the office party. Apparently, Kansas City was completely out of fresh cranberries. Which would take the cranberry cocktails, cranberry sauce, and several other items off the predetermined menu.

“Miss Ash?”

The baritone voice caught Cindy’s attention after she had completed her phone call, and she turned in surprise toward the conference room. “Yes, Mr. Fortescue?”

“I believe you’re my next appointment.”

“Oh.” The color drained from her cheeks. “Of course. Right.”

Her heart thundered in her chest as she walked toward the door.

Alastair Fortescue’s smile was tight and mirthless as she slipped into the room.

“Please close the door.” His voice was devoid of even the holiday brightness she had heard in the background behind the panicked caterer just a moment before.

She swallowed as she complied with his request.

“How long have you been at Fortescue Publishing?” he asked as she sat across from him.

Apparently, this was a no-nonsense interview. No frills. Not even a “hi, how are you?” She could get behind that.

“Three and a half years.” She tried to keep her answer as brief as possible. She suspected that the man across from her would appreciate that.

He peeked over at a list of questions which he’d already written down. It surprised her that the questions were written down. She’d expected more of a conversation.“Have you worked for Margaret Stone that whole time?”

She shook her head. “No, I started here as a personal assistant for Charlotte LaRoche.

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