Authors: Carmella Jones
Chapter 4
Tyler
“Miles Lowery, this is our boss, Tyler Callahan. Mr. Callahan, this is my new assistant, Miles Lowery,” said Auntie Chase.
“Good to meet you,” Miles said, extending a hand to shake mine.
“Likewise. Welcome to the company,” I said.
He had a good grip, strong hands. His smile was relaxed, but he maintained good posture as we spoke.
“What was your experience before this?” I asked.
“Well, sir, I have been waiting tables for the past few years at a restaurant not far from here. It was actually my ‘in’ for this job,” Miles replied.
“Really, how did that come about?” I asked.
I liked his cool around me. I made most of the other assistants, and floor heads, nervous. Even Chase was watching our conversation quietly with some surprise.
“Well, some of your staff are regulars of mine. All lower-level people, but when the position came available one of them had the idea that I join since it sort of tied to my degree and would pay better than tips. Some of the others offered to let me list them as references. Now, here I am,” he said, closing with a smile.
“Yes, here you are. How fortunate for us to be able to steal away such a likeable young man. You impressed them enough to be invited to the job, and I feel impressed as well. Chase, send him to my office before you send him home for the day. I would love to hear details about your degree and the classes you took, Miles,” I said.
“Yes, sir,” said Auntie Chase.
He looked pleased that I liked his new assistant. His assistant looked pleased that he had made a good impression on the big boss for his supervisor.
“I see you have new interests,” Claudia said, approaching me.
The last attendees of the meeting were well to the elevators by now.
“Perhaps. I know I’m done ordering takeout. I just can’t decide if it would be better to have home-cooked meals or keep a private chef,” I replied.
I joined this company right out of college as Claudia Schmidt’s protégé. Many people thought I was her young lover. Few, including Claudia and Nicholas Schmidt and my assistant, Tina, knew that I actually preferred men.
“Home-cooked meals are always best, darling, but these days you both need to know how to cook,” Claudia said, giving me the tiniest wink.
“I’ve just never been the commitment type. Most people bore me romantically after a few dates. You’re the only person who has never bored me in all my time knowing them, but you’re married and I don’t care for clam anyway,” I confessed.
“Darling, you have no idea what you are missing. I think part of the reason I haven’t bored Mr. Schmidt is because this dish likes clam and sausage. To each his own, though. That young man you were speaking with does look appetizing, so I see your dilemma,” she said seductively.
“Indeed, I’ve asked that he come to my office. I want to get a better read on him,” I said.
“Cover to cover whenever possible,” she replied. “So, is there a reason you lingered after the meeting for me or did I misread your extended stay in the conference room?”
“There’s a reason. Did you receive my message that I wanted a private meeting with you?” I asked.
“Yes, darling, but I’m afraid Nicholas won’t be able to join us at the time you’ve suggested,” she said.
“All the better. I only wanted to speak with you,” I said.
“Really?” she asked, leaning against the conference table and tapping her pen to her lower lip thoughtfully.
I nodded. There was a small pause as she continued to think.
“Walk me to my office. I’m intrigued. Let’s have our meeting now,” she said.
Chapter 5
Miles
“Well, I was going to let you leave a little early, since it’s your first day. Scratch that plan, though. We’ll talk about some of the projects I was going to have you start tomorrow. Then, in the morning you can come in already on task. You just make sure to tell Callahan that you are pleased with everything so far and that I am amazing,” Chase said.
“You got it,” I replied.
I couldn’t tell if he was serious or joking about the last part, but he did have big plans for my first few weeks. There was a lot of cleanup work from his previous assistant. It seemed this guy knew less than basic map skills. His filing was horrible and all the projects he had been working on were backed up.
“Yeah, he was pretty, but sadly, that was all. You have your work cut out for you, but I feel confident. Now, that is enough for today. Go upstairs and instill some confidence in Callahan toward us both,” Chase said.
I straightened up my desk and left myself a to-do list for the next day. I also made a list of things I wanted to remember to bring back to work to decorate my desk space.
As the elevator opened, I found Marjorie was already inside.
“Hi, Miles. I was just about to bring you a few files, from my boss to yours,” she said.
We both gave a small laugh. She stayed in the elevator holding the files. It closed with her still inside with me.
“Thanks. I’m going to speak to Mr. Callahan at the moment, but if you leave those on my desk I can give them to Chase first thing,” I replied.
“Sure. That woks. Do you want to have drinks with some of us after work Friday?” she asked – blurted really.
“Uh, sure. It would be good to get know some of the staff,” I said.
“Cool,” she said, nodding.
I got off the elevator at the eleventh floor and she rode it back down, I assumed to the sixth floor. I greeted the staff assistant who sat at the front desk of the floor. Every floor had one. She gave me directions to Callahan’s office and buzzed his assistant to inform him of my arrival. As I reached his assistant’s desk, he stepped out of his office to greet me himself.
“Tina, this is Miles. He is Chase’s new assistant. Miles, this is my assistant, Tina. She is my girl Friday,” Mr. Callahan said.
“Rosalind Russell’s rasp always did do something for me,” I joked.
“So, did you have a good first day?” Mr. Callahan asked.
“Sure. Everyone seems nice. I think I will really enjoy working for Chase. He seems friendly and well informed,” I replied.
“Good. What was your degree, if you don’t mind me asking? I was surprised after looking over your file to see your recommendations came from a variety of departments and with a lot of different encouraging notes about your personality and service as waiter,” Mr. Callahan said.
“Oh, well I have my main bachelor’s in journalism, but while I was in high school I also took classes at the local college in my hometown. I have an associates in communication arts. I’m one of those guys who was the nerdy kid in high school. Then I had a major growth spurt right before senior year,” I said.
“So, you probably didn’t start to come into yourself until college?” Mr. Callahan asked, leaning forward just slightly.
“Yeah, I still made the grade, but people started to see me as more than just a smart kid. I’m still that guy who waits to be approached at the bar though. I’ll have to improve on that pretty quick, though,” I said.
“Why is that?” Mr. Callahan asked.
“Well, another assistant invited me to join some of the rest of the staff for drinks later this week. I want them to think of me as friendly, outgoing,” I replied.
“Well, you seemed fine speaking to me after the meeting,” he said.
“That’s true, but the way you came to introduce yourself had a lot to do with that. A lot of bosses are standoffish. You were willing to come say hello, a man of the people. Plus you even wanted to meet with me. It’s good you take the time to get to know the staff,” I said.
“Well, I think I intimidate most of the staff, but I am glad you think well of me. First impressions matter to both sides of a meeting,” Mr. Callahan said.
I nodded in agreement. As the conversation began to lag, I excused myself. I could feel his assistant’s eyes on me as I made my way down the hall toward the elevator around the corner.
Chapter 6
Tyler
My conversation with Miles had been pleasant, but still left me wondering whether he preferred men or women. My instincts said that there were a few things about himself he didn’t realize he hadn’t figured out yet in that area. I wanted to teach him.
I felt fond of him overall the more we talked. Just as I had been Claudia’s protégé, business-wise, I felt I could do the same for him. Aside from my personal interest in him, he might prove to be an asset to consider in further discussions with Claudia. Once I was sure he was gone, I decided to speak briefly with Tina.
“He has got to be ten years younger than you, and he is company ink,” she said.
“Yes, but discretion has always been the name of the game. Also, age is only relevant in legal instances, otherwise you limit yourself in life’s buffet,” I replied.
“Well, he was cute. He spoke well in your office. His enthusiasm and positivity is endearing, and newly found self-confidence would be an interesting match for you. You could be catching a butterfly just as it emerges from the cocoon,” Tina said.
She gave me a knowing smile and returned to working on something on her computer. I returned to a few tasks I wanted to complete before leaving the office for the day as well.
Over the next few days I made a few inquiries about where I could bump into the staff for drinks some time and put forth some effort into being the kind and approachable boss that Miles seemed to think I was. Claudia was supportive of being friendlier with the staff, so it was an easy transition to make. After merely suggesting there was some distance between the staff and upper management, she issued memos encouraging us to visit with departments, sit in on meetings, and join the staff for lunch or dinner when they went out from time to time.
Friday night, the chief marketing officer and I joined Miles and company for drinks.
“It’s so cool of you guys to come out with us,” said a drunken girl from advertising.
She had the liquid courage to attempt sleeping her way to a promotion, because the CMO was old, fat, and married. He was clearly uncomfortable.
“I thought this would be more like a quiet sports bar type thing. I’m going to go,” he said, quickly getting up and leaving.
His playmate looked my way. I simply shook my head. She returned to drinking and left a little later. As she left, Miles and the other new assistant, Marjorie, walked in.
“Hey, everybody. This is miles. He’s Chase’s new assistant, floor six,” Marjorie said.
He received hellos and handshakes as they made their way through the group. I continued to sip on the Old Fashioned I had ordered. I listened as they talked about their days and told Miles things to look out for, or forward to, about the company. I could tell some things were somewhat censored for my presence.
“I can tell you guys are happy I’m here, but that it’s awkward. In good faith, I’ll put tonight on my charge account with the company. Just relax. Claudia and a few more officers, myself included, think that upper management could stand to get to know our staff and really hear them out on what the company is like for them,” I said, reassuringly.
The conversation relaxed much more after that. A few minutes later Miles came to sit near me.
“That was pretty awesome,” he said.
“I don’t know about that. It could have backfired. I could have been accused of liquoring them up to make them tell bad things about each other,” I replied, jokingly.
“Well, I have never had anyone in upper management come out with the staff and buy drinks,” he replied.
“Well, it’s hard to get to know people when they feel guarded. I’m having an Old Fashioned to ease into the situation myself. You may as well have something. I’m paying,” I said.
He stopped to think for a moment. I knew the moment I saw the face he made for this internal debate that I wanted to see more faces he could make. His thinking face made him bite his lip just slightly. I wanted to do that, too.
Chapter 7
Miles
“I really try to stick to one or two drinks normally, but you’re great. These guys are just great. I’m excited about my new job,” I said.
I could hear myself and could tell that I was babbling like a drunk college girl. I wasn’t far from it. I was six foot tall, but I weight maybe 175 pounds on a good day. I had drunk two shots and three Old Fashioneds in my night out with my coworkers.
Everyone from work was gone. Most had families or were middle aged and went to bed a little earlier. Others who were still single decided to find a place to go dancing.
“So, why didn’t you join the girl you came with to the next hot spot?” Tyler asked.
“Me? I don’t dance. I can’t dance,” I said, shaking my head.
I pushed away the glass in front of me.
“You didn’t go either. I think a couple of them were interested in you,” I noted.
“Well, I think the better company was here,” he replied.
He finished his drink. He handled his liquor much better than me. He seemed to be as composed as when I saw him in his office, but dressed more casually and a little more relaxed.
He had stared at me off and on in our conversation and as my mind wandered back from assessing him I realized he was staring at me again. Before I could comment on it, he leaned over and kissed me. Before I could think about it, I kissed him back.
“Um, I’m straight,” I said, pulling back.
“I think you just realized you don’t know what you are,” Tyler said, sitting back as though he had never moved.
I opened my mouth to speak, but wasn’t really sure what to say. Instead, I stood and felt for my wallet. I placed money on the bar. I didn’t know if it would cover my drinks or not, but I knew my point would be made. I turned to leave and Tyler grabbed my arm.
“Look, sorry about that. I misread you. Let’s not mention this at work, okay?” he said.
I nodded. I grabbed a cab to take me home. I could come get my car tomorrow.
At home, I couldn’t stop thinking about what could have happened if I had gone out with Marjorie instead. The whole thing with Tyler could have been avoided. I also thought about my response to the kiss. I wasn’t angry. I was shocked. I was shocked it happened and shocked that I returned the kiss.
Thinking on it, it was a good kiss. It was a good kiss not just because it was a good kiss, but it made something spark inside me. I hadn’t felt anything quite like this with the few girls I had dated, not even the two I had slept with a few times in college.
Once I was awake and sober the following morning, the kiss was still on my mind, but I also realized in the moment I had sense enough to make myself clear that I wasn’t interested. I assumed that meant even drunk, I liked women. I felt bad about not taking the opportunity to spend time with Marjorie, so I invited her to diner and drinks, just the two of us, the following Friday night.
When she said yes, I felt relieved.