Giving her a grin, I head down the hall. “Thanks,” I call out as an afterthought, and she shoots me a wave.
When I reach the door she directed me to, I hitch my briefcase satchel over my shoulder and smooth down my skirt. Taking a deep breath, I give a light knock and then open the conference room door.
My eyes immediately lock with Lorraine’s, who is sitting on one side of the long, oval table. She glares at me in anger due to my tardiness.
“I’m so sorry I’m late,” I apologize. “I—the train was running late this morning. Always seems to happen on Monday.”
Lorraine’s anger doesn’t diminish, and it is with a clipped tone that she says, “Then may I suggest you leave earlier on Mondays. McKayla… this is your new boss, Matthew Connover.”
Not needing another second of Lorraine’s vicious gaze, I pull my eyes up to the man sitting at the end of the table.
Brown hair… golden eyes… sensuous lips that deliver orgasms upon contact, now set in a surprised grimace on his face.
Holy fuck!
It’s Number 134.
Matt rises from the conference room table and steps toward me, his hand stretched out. “Miss Dawson… it’s lovely to meet you. Lorraine has told me a lot about you.”
I’m sure!
Although his words are welcoming, his gaze is frosty as he shakes my hand. He then immediately drops it like I’m diseased.
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Connover,” I manage to choke out, my heart beating like the hooves of a Kentucky Derby winner.
“Call me Matt,” he says, and there is no mistaking his tone of extreme displeasure over me being here. I’m really not getting why he’s pissed. It’s not like I planned this out. So I do the only thing I know how to do when I’m being attacked for no apparent reason—I stick my chin out and notch my pride up just a little more.
“You can call me McKayla… or Mac.”
He inclines his head slightly in acknowledgement and sits back down, indicating the chair to Lorraine’s left is where I should sit.
Matt introduces me to a man on the other side of the table. He’s about fifty, balding, and looks incredibly worn out. “Mac… this is my partner, William Crown.”
He gives me a wan smile and mumbles, “It’s Bill, actually. Nice to meet you.”
I shoot him a return smile, feeling sorry for his overall beat-down nature. It must be hell to work here or something, and that makes my stomach roll just a little.
“I wanted to have this meeting with you and Lorraine to welcome you to Connover and Crown this morning. We’re excited to have you both here.” His lack of enthusiasm couldn’t be more obvious, but Lorraine pays it no mind. I’m sure she’s just happy not to be a struggling business owner now, knowing that she’ll get her full paycheck each month.
Lorraine leans over, exposing her deep cleavage, and lays a well-manicured hand on Matt’s arm, simpering, “Matt… I know I speak for both McKayla and me when I tell you we are just overjoyed to be part of your team. You can count on us to get the job done.”
I want to roll my eyes over her flirtatious gesture, because Lorraine is nothing short of a man-eater. I’m surprised she’s not humping his leg as we speak. I have to suppress a giggle though, when Matt’s eyes narrow at her overtness and he pulls his arm away.
“Thank you for that sentiment, Lorraine. I’m sure you’ll do just fine here.”
“More than just fine,” she gushes.
Matt doesn’t respond but hands Lorraine and me each a folder. “Here are the necessary forms you’ll need to fill out for human resources. Lorraine… you’ll be direct reporting to Bill, and McKayla… you’ll be reporting to me.”