“Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you all for joining me this evening. I have an announcement, and it is important you hear it directly and all at the same time.” His voice was pleasant, but expressions, and probably sphincters, tightened around the room as he spoke. An introduction like that was never going to mean good news.
“Thurmond University is a fine institution, and since my arrival last year I have been listening and learning everything I can about your departments, research, our students, and the alumni.”
I stood in the area farthest from the president, my back to a wall filled with portraits of previous presidents, and I slipped my phone from my purse to glance at the screen. I remembered Quinton or Quentin texting during my class, and the irony wasn’t lost on me.
Jake: I am ready to get my hands on you again.
Jake: Sexy or creepy?
I smiled, my chest fluttering as I flicked my gaze to President Lewis gesturing to his wife. “When Rebecca and I moved here . . .” I was comfortable that whatever story was beginning would take a minute or two to wind down.
Naya: Mostly creepy. 70/30?
Jake: Only 30? You’re hard to please. Though . . . it’s fun to try.
“And that’s how I concluded that it’s time for Thurmond to move in a new direction and make a shift from being an excellent institution to being the top university in the country. This summer, we are going to embark on a journey toward reaching that goal.”
Jake: Have to go but I’ll see if I can earn a few more points later. I’ll msg you when I’m done.
“I will invite Carlton Brohm to join me.” A stocky man in an expensive-looking, tailored navy suit smiled and moved to stand next to President Lewis. “Carlton runs a management consulting firm, Brohm, Shaw and Associates, that will help us chart our course.”
A collective inhalation spread around the room. Management consultants plus “a new direction” meant cuts and significant changes—none of which were going to be popular. I nervously tapped my fingers against my thigh.
“Thank you for inviting us,” the shorter man said in a booming voice that ricocheted off the walls in the small space. “BSA is a new company, and we bring unique analytic, strategic, and innovation-centered skills to our work. We look forward to helping you capitalize on your strengths.”
I nodded, as did those around me, well aware that “capitalizing on your strengths” usually meant eliminating your weaknesses. We were about to be measured.
“More details will be forthcoming, but I want to introduce someone else you’ll get to know well.”
Carlton’s partner joined him on the platform, and my breath caught in my throat.
Twelve
My eyes widened, and a voice in my head screeched to a halt.
The president assured the collected group this was ultimately going to be a good experience even though change was anxiety inducing. I stopped listening, and my eyes followed Jake as he stepped offstage, whispering with his colleague as the president finished speaking and invited guests to stay and enjoy a drink.
Everyone paused, the room still, before they all began talking at once. My pulse raced, and panic inched up my body. I excused myself from the conversation to move into the less congested hallway.
Breathe. Breathe.
I couldn’t appear like I would faint in the middle of a crowd of senior colleagues and notorious gossips who already had a low opinion of me. Instead, I looked down at my phone.
Jake: Just about done.
Jake: Any thoughts to how I can even out that creepy/sexy ratio?
Jake: I have more cheese puns just in queso emergency.
I stared at the message, and the laugh froze in my throat. What if someone finds out I’m sleeping with him? They’ll assume I’m trying to sway him. Women had been professionally blackballed for less.
I considered fleeing the mansion. Ahead of me, Jake stood at the other end of the hallway with a group of men in suits, his back to me as he looked down at his phone, then back up to finish a conversation with Carlton.
They laughed, and Jake clapped the other man on the shoulder. A fleeting thought had me worried he was laughing at me, and every available insecurity crept into my consciousness. My hand trembled, and I typed out a reply.
Naya: I’m standing behind you.
Jake: See, that’s more creepy than sexy.
“Jake,” I said as his partner stepped away.
Jake turned, confusion clear on his face until we made eye contact. His eyes were wide, and his lips tipped to the side, a cautious half smile spreading across his face under furrowed brows as he walked to me. “What are you . . . doing here?”