HIM
conference room with various beverages and snack-type items. I usually grab a water and a granola bar, but I don't feel like it right now, since I have only been at work for an hour. Others trickle in, including Brady and some other higher-ranked Designers. Barret is the last to arrive at every meeting.Quite a few people have noticed my return and ask me how I am doing. It is a nice feeling to know that my coworkers, who drive me bonkers most of the time, actually care about my well-being. Brady sits directly across from both Ris and me; I'm sure to torment her as always. Barrett enters a few minutes after we have all taken our seats.
He never wears business attire like most CEOs of a company would. He always wears jeans and a sweater over a collared button-up shirt. Today is no different. Barrett is kind, yet affirmative, when it comes to business and Facade, but outside of the office, he is a riot, and his wife is the sweetest, soft-spoken person I have ever met.
He is built a lot like Brady, and they are around the same height for the most part. Barrett is very youthful-looking and handsome; his hair is always perfectly cut and styled, as if he gets it cut right before we see him every day. He is the personification of cool and collective. He has some gray on the sides, but other than that, you would never guess that he is fifty years old. I love working for him and spending time with him and his wife outside of work.
"Good to see you, Ali, "Barrett whispers.
He passes by me and makes his way to the end of the table. He takes a seat, with all eyes on him, and puts a Facade folder down on the table and opens it.
"Good Afternoon, everyone! It's great to see Ali back after her short absence. She will be here tomorrow then will be working from home for a while. If anyone has any questions for her while she is here, please feel free to reach out to her; otherwise, contact her through work email or the company chat," he announces.
Barrett's forthcoming announcement regarding contacting me once I start my leave makes me feel better after Brady being an obnoxious prick with his disheartening banter earlier. It shows how personable my boss is, as well as how he appreciates his employees. Brady should notes; he may learn a thing or two.
"Team, let's discuss new and current projects that are taking place. Brady, what is the latest news in Commercial?" Barrett asks.
Brady begins to discuss what all of us in quadrant thirteen and fourteen are currently working on. In our quadrant, we focus mainly on commercial projects. The second floor is quadrants nine through sixteen, which are Commercial, Industrial, Landscape, and Urban Architecture. The first floor consists of Housing, Research, Interior, and Sustainable Architecture.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. Trying not to look conspicuous, I slide my phone out and peer down at my lap under the table. We are not supposed to bring our phones to meetings.
I open two texts from Luke, including one with a picture of what looks like a 1950's Cadillac and the other about my safe arrival. His messages make me happy, but I miss his sexy smile, gorgeous body, and his soft touch. I've had a pretty great week getting to know him, including the incredible sex we've recently started having. I shouldn't get myself started on thinking about our sex life right now.
I look around the room to make sure no one has noticed that I am on my phone, and quickly reply to his text showing interest in the classic he is working on and letting him know I miss him without coming straight out and saying it. My phone buzzes almost immediately after I send my reply to Luke. Wow, he's quick to reply today, but it's not from Luke. It's a message from Troy.
Heard you're back. Can I take you to dinner tonight, please?
I guess he did not get the hint that I am not interested in dating him right now, or he could just be being himself and wanting to see how I am doing since I left. I did leave to attend my father's funeral and deal with what comes after losing a parent. I will text him back after I find out if Ris has any plans for us tonight. Either way, I do not want to see him while I am back in town for these few days.
Ris kicks me under the table, I jump and look at her.
"Hello? Earth to Allison?" Brady says, in a stern and loud voice.
"I'm so sorry, what was it that you asked?" I reply.
I have not been paying attention to what he has been talking about since he opened his mouth. I tend to do that when he speaks.
"Where are we at with the Christiansen account?" he demands.
"Oh, yes. The account is currently on hold, but my assistants took care of any questions or concerns during my absence," I state calmly.
"Have you spoke with these clients at all in her absence?" Barrett asks Brady.
"No, they are not my project," Brady snaps.
Barrett turns in his chair, and the expression on his face changes into disappointment.
"You're the Senior Designer, Brady, all projects are your responsibility," he says firmly.
They go back and forth, arguing over the largest Commercial project our firm has going on right now. Little does Brady know that I have a close relationship with the Christiansen's, as I do with most of my clients. Thankfully for me, they know what I was going through and that I would be away from the office for a few weeks. Barrett is also aware of all of this. My time away has given the Christiansen's enough time to get the proper documentation into us for the massive project they have in store for myself and my team.
I am the Lead Project Designer for this