attendees for the conference, but she has a lot to recommend her. I’ve nothing but high praise for her and I’d like to include her from my department as well.”
Wow.
The praise makes my cheeks heat, but I meet Tristan’s gaze with a level one of my own. His eyes are bottomless, unfathomable. No hint that he recognizes me beyond the courteous.
“That would make your department the biggest we’re sending to the event,” he says.
“I’m aware,” Eleanor responds, “but she’s worth it.”
A pang of warmth spreads through my chest. Praise from her is rare indeed, but here she is, going to the mat for me.
Tristan pushes his chair back. “Very well. You’re going to the conference in Boston, Miss Bilson.”
“Thank you, Mr. Conway.”
“Thank your trainee supervisor,” he says dryly and nods to Eleanor. Another hit of his cologne strikes me as he walks past, and without as much as a goodbye, he disappears out the door. It shuts behind him with finality.
I open my mouth, but Eleanor stops me with a wry smile. “Don’t thank me yet, Freddie. It’ll be a lot of work.”
“I’m a fan of hard work.”
“Yes, I’ve noticed. That’s part of why I want you there. We’ll need all hands on deck.”
I nod, reaching for my laptop.
Eleanor smiles. “I’ve never met a more diligent note-taker.”
“It came in handy in college and it comes in handy now.”
“It sure does.” She gathers her own papers, standing. A frown mars her lips. “Mr. Conway’s not usually so… short.”
I focus very hard on looking pleasantly interested. “Who knows what bothers management?”
“Who knows, indeed.” She shakes her head, the clean-cut bob swaying. “Oh well. He’ll be excellent at the conference regardless, I’m sure.”
“Is he ever anything else?”
Eleanor shoots me a surprised glance. “Indeed, Freddie. I’ve sometimes wondered that myself.”
As I return to my desk, my hands tremble. Not with fear or nerves, not even with anticipation. The mess of emotions inside me includes far too many to be classified.
Yesterday, he’d held me like I was all he wanted. Yesterday, all I’d wanted had been him. And yet we’d stopped it. For me, it had been on account of this job, my career, my sense of self-worth. He’s not someone who dates, but I can’t forget the words seared into my mind—the sad way he spoke about why women want him. I can’t forget the way he is with his son.
Had I been wrong?
“I just heard the good news!” Toby says, sliding into view on his desk chair. “You’re going to Boston with us this week!”
“Another pair of hands on deck,” Quentin says from his desk, not turning around.
“Not to mention another soul ready to party on Thursday evening.” Toby does a little dance in his chair. “Are you ready, Freddie?”
“Yes,” I say weakly. “I was born ready.”
16
Freddie
Toby grips the conference badge hanging on a lanyard around my neck, turning it one way and then the other. “It still looks pretty good.”
“It does not,” I protest. “It looks like it’s taken a dip in a cup of coffee, because it has.”
“Well, it sort of works with your dress. It’s blush-colored.”
“It’s supposed to be peach.” I reach out and put a hand on Toby’s shoulder. “I really appreciate the pep talk, but let’s face it. I’m just going to have to give up on the idea of one day framing this.”
He laughs. “Can you imagine the sociopath who would do that?”
“You mean me?”
“If the shoe fits,” he says, leaning on the high drinks table we’re standing by. Not fifteen minutes after the last workshop ended, and the conference hall had been transformed into a professional meet-and-greet.
“Where’s Quentin?”
“Off networking,” Toby says, waving a dismissive hand.
I raise an eyebrow at him. “Quentin? Networking?”
“He’s good at schmoozing when he wants to be. Others, like me, aren’t.”
“Toby, you’re the most sociable person I know.”
“Yes, but see, that’s the problem.” He raises his glass of wine to me in triumph. “I’m unable to be anyone but who I am, and in places like this, no one’s really interested in getting to know you. They just want to get to know the you that will help them get ahead.”
“Wow. That was astoundingly cynical.”
He grins at me. “I’m only two years older than you, Freddie, and yet so much wiser.”
“And so humble,” I laugh, raising my wineglass to his. It’s the one free drink included in our conference package, but I already see attendees heading to the bar to pay for their second.
“So?” he asks. “What did you think of your first