up in private conversations.
I shrugged. “Then go talk to him. Be the first to start the conversation.”
“Maybe I will.” She smiled slightly, a gleam in her eye.
Easton walked in and the room quieted. He took a seat, his gaze locking with mine, and a few people glanced at me as if trying to figure out why he was looking at me specifically. I glanced away, my heart fluttering, an unsteady feeling washing through me at the memory of the restroom incident a week ago.
It was Easton, and I didn’t like him. I needed to stop these ridiculous thoughts and get ahold of myself. I’d always found him attractive, but my disgust for his rude behavior overruled everything else. I absolutely couldn’t allow myself to feel any interest, especially now that he was my boss. Besides, I barely knew the man, and what I did know wasn’t good. When I glanced back, he was no longer staring at me, and I let out a relieved breath.
“Are we ready to get started?” George asked.
“Yep,” Easton said, leaning in his chair, arms crossed at his chest. “Why don’t you take the lead this time?”
“Sure.” George straightened and glanced around the table. “Before we move on to work-related issues, we have a special opportunity to volunteer at an event for Children’s Commission, the private foster care agency we’ve helped out in the past. It will take place this Saturday from eight until noon. The volunteers will assist with the games at a picnic. Who can be there?”
There was silence as he glanced around the table, and a few people cleared their throats uncomfortably. It was a good cause, and I wanted to participate, but I was going to Charlotte’s birthday party that evening and needed the morning to do errands. They should have given us more notice.
“I would go,” Laurie said, “but it’s my parents’ anniversary and we’re all celebrating at an expensive restaurant.”
Several others chimed in with their excuses and George grimaced. “I was supposed to send out a memo at the beginning of the week, but I forgot. Surely, one of you can help me with this.”
Poor George. I didn’t want him to have to deal with this on his own. I could probably push my errands to Sunday and help out Saturday morning, especially because it was for a good cause. I raised a hand. “Count me in.”
He smiled and nodded his thanks. “Excellent.”
Bruce pressed his lips together. “Well, since Maya will be there, I guess I can make the time.”
George forced a smile, appearing slightly annoyed at Bruce’s lack of enthusiasm. “Thank you.” He glanced around the table. “Anyone else?”
I discretely nudged Deanna, hoping she’d go with me. She leaned in and whispered, “Can’t. My brother is in town, and I’ll be with family all weekend.”
“Anyone else?” George repeated. When no one jumped in to volunteer, he sighed. “I guess it’ll just be the four of us then.” He turned to Easton. “Will that be enough?”
“It will have to be.” He sounded grumpy and put out.
George had said there’d be four of us. Did that mean Easton was planning on coming as well? I was trying to stay away from the man, not spend four hours with him at an event. Ugh. This was terrible.
Deanna let out a sigh and nudged me with her elbow. She brought her lips to my ear and spoke in a whisper. “Of all weekends, why did my brother have to pick this one to visit? You’re so lucky.”
But I didn’t feel lucky.
Not at all.
I would just have to stay out of Easton’s way.
Later that evening, I sat on my couch with a hot cup of herbal tea, my phone on speaker as I talked with my mom. We had a complicated relationship. It was only the two of us since my dad died in a car accident before I was born. Mom and I were close, but she stressed me out whenever she brought up health issues. But then again, she only bugged me because she cared.
She’d just asked if I liked my new job, and I attempted to piece together a few of the details I could share without embarrassment. I planned on leaving out the April Fools pranks.
“It’s been good so far. George has been training me, and I’m learning the ins and outs.”
“When do your medical benefits kick in?”
“They’re already in effect. I just need to set up an appointment with a doctor.”
“Impressive. Easton sounds like he’s a good boss.”
“He’s…fine. I