to feel like I am a part of a couple, and I know he would be there for me if I needed him.
That's always been enough for me, but I have to be honest with myself and admit his lack of caring about me moving to San Francisco, doesn't feel great. Yes, he said he would miss me, but he certainly didn't fight for me to stay. He was happy for me, told me what a great opportunity it was for me, and would support any decision I made.
I know Bryce well enough to know he wasn't trying to be hurtful, but it did hurt. I may be an independent woman who likes her space, but it doesn't mean there isn't a small part of me that wants to be fought for. To be missed enough that the person who claims to love you is a little sad you're leaving. Bryce didn't give me any of this, but I also don’t feel any of these things about leaving Bryce either.
Maybe the move will be good for our relationship. We may appreciate each other more and miss our time together.
Only time will tell.
5
Olivia
"EVC, Ronan McKinley's office. This is Olivia speaking," I answer the call ringing on line one, and the nerves I feel from the simple task are irrational but there none-the-less. The call is patched through to Mr. McKinley's office and done quickly enough.
I don't think he's in just yet, but I do remember Evelyn saying his calls would ring to his cell if he wasn't in the office. I've been here for two hours already, and she's given me a plethora of information, but I am pretty sure I am remembering this detail correctly. To get the lay of the land, we’re starting here at the front desk, and then I’ll move back to my office, right next to his. I think I’ll like it better out here.
"That was perfect. I know you're nervous but no need to be. You're doing great," Evelyn reassures me. I knew I liked her on the phone, but meeting her in person has caused my undying love to blossom.
She is a one-woman, well-oiled machine. She can do this job with her eyes closed while not seeming bored in the least. The part that has caused the blossoming love is the maternal instinct that she can't help but exude. She is kind, warm, motherly, and everything I ever dreamed of in a mother. I can't help but feel an instant connection to her.
I'm not sure what is happening to me. Gone is the woman who has expertly spent her life avoiding closeness with others. I don't have many emotionally connected relationships in my life, but Evelyn Hunter—and much to my dismay my new boss—have made me feel more than I'm used to in a very short span of time.
Even if the feelings are irritation, anger, and annoyance, he has still managed to bring out many different emotions from this disconnected woman. One of the strongest is the pull of attraction I feel for the egotistical jerk. Thank goodness, he isn't here yet. I haven't had to come face to face with him this morning. God forbid, he come into the office before noon.
Typical.
He is probably president of the real estate division by name only. It is a family-run business after all. He probably rolls into the office whenever he gets around to it, if at all. Living off the family wealth and living on luxurious yachts.
Yuck.
Evelyn is a great teacher, and her finely crafted organization and processes make everything easy to grasp. She even explained all of my HR documents, including my Non-Disclosure Agreement, in a way that made sense and seemed a little less daunting.
I'm concentrated on the spreadsheet on my computer screen, studying the details of Evelyn's vendor contacts, when I hear a disgusted grunt aimed in my direction.
"Who the hell is this?"
The gruff voice startling me from my work belongs to an older gentleman. He is short, stout, red-faced, and clearly not happy to see me here.
"Mr. McKinley, this is Olivia Adams. She'll be filling my role once I've retired. Today is her first day. Olivia, please meet the CEO of EVC, Daniel McKinley."
I reach out my hand and am met with a grunt as he dismisses me and stalks down the hall, leaving me feeling foolish and quickly dropping my hand.
"Excuse my brother. He didn't get the manners in our gene pool. Welcome to the family. My name is Patrick.