Push by Sadie Rose

 

Ilooked down at my schedule, double-checking my meeting calendar to make sure I was going to the right conference room. After my first day yesterday, I couldn’t have a repeat of it on my second day or I might not get a third. I was thirty minutes late yesterday due to my horribly embarrassing morning. I had rushed to the nearest open store but everything was too expensive, cursing myself that I should have taken the hundred dollars Roman had offered. My new boss had chastised me for almost the same length of my absence but let me have a reprieve after I explained the tea stains on my shirt. I didn’t want to make myself look like a fool again so soon.

I was one of the first ones to arrive, so I made my way to the back. I pulled out one of the chairs and sat down, pulling out my notebook and pen and staring out the window next to me. My dreams had been filled with my coffee shop encounter with Roman. I wish I hadn’t been so awkward or had at least thought of getting his last name or number. “Forget about Jeff,” my roommate Madison had said when I recounted the story of the coffee shop to her. “I like the sound of this new guy, Roman.” Even thinking about him now I could feel the beginnings of a blush. I wish I could be more like Madison, she was never afraid to speak her mind or be forward with men.

I went through the notes that I took yesterday and I’m confident I know what today will bring. Today is known as introduction day on my schedule. As I wait for the room to fill up, I let my eyes wander back to the window and take in the view of the city. Yesterday had been all about getting acclimated to our new surroundings and going through the mundane tasks like getting our IDs made and taking the walking tour of Devereaux Industries. The property itself was overwhelming to take in; 42 floors set in the heart of San Francisco equipped with a full-service cafeteria for staff, a gym, steam room, and an indoor running track all free of charge to staff. They even had an onsite nurse and convenience store. Too bad they didn’t sell clothing, I smiled. At least working here would help out with my budget; I could eat all my meals for free and save on groceries. I worked my ass off to get where I was at. I loved it, every minute. Tours were usually a grueling first day of work fixture to be endured, but this was my dream, and I soaked in every detail, committing it all to memory. The application, the interviews, the writing essay—it was all worth it. This is where I want to be and with yesterday’s misstep of being late, I know I have to prove myself.

“Hello, I’m Roman Devereaux and I’m happy to welcome all of you to Devereaux Industries.” He paused in his introduction and I whipped my head towards him. He was staring directly at me. I took a deep breath and slowly let it out. It was him. He cleared his throat and looked away. “I know that most of you are new here and excited to be a part of the team. I know that the interview process and the hoops that we make you jump through to get here aren’t easy but hey, you can’t blame me for being selective.”

Light laughter broke out amongst the room. I just stared at him in horror with what I’m sure were red cheeks. My bosses bosses boss was the coffee shop guy! The same man I had dreams about last night. The same man who saw me humiliating myself.

“Seriously, being one of the fastest-growing technology companies in the country if not in the world brings in all kinds of applicants. Here we narrow them down and select only the best. I thank you for putting in the dedication to join our team. I’ve spent the better part of a decade making this company into what it is and I still insist on meeting all of our new hires. I’m sure you know all of this already so let’s jump right in. When I call your name please stand and tell me something fun and interesting about yourself. Then after everyone is done you’ll be free to take advantage of our cafeteria. Not too bad for a morning meeting right? Okay, perfect. First up Annabel Asher.”

“Hi, I’m Annabel. Hmmm, one fun thing about myself? Well, I have been known to be the life of the party.” She smiled at Mr. Devereaux in a flirtatious way and I cringed at the exchange.

“Well, I can tell we’ll all be waiting for the Christmas party then. Next… Paul Dalton.”

A man stood up a few feet in front of me but I tuned him out. My heart is beating so loudly I can feel my pulse. I barely like saying more than “yes” to people when called out in meetings. Instead, I stare at Mr. Devereaux as he listens to the answers my coworkers give him. Every now and then a smile would break over his handsome face.

“Matt Gregor?” Mr. Devereaux called. He was getting close to my name. I looked down at my notes in front of me and tried to focus. “Olivia Monroe?”

My throat instantly closed. Silence filled the room as I slowly stood up. “Good Morning everyone, I’m Olivia.” I could feel my cheeks turning tomato red. I willed my eyes to look around the room. “I enjoy pomegranate tea and awkward situations.” I sat back down in my chair. Why did I just say that?

A few people giggled and snickered around me. When I looked up at Mr. Devereaux a smile had spread across his face. “I’ll have to remember that drink choice. Susan Owens?”

I exhaled the breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. I tuned out Susan’s answer as I attempted to get my heart rate and breathing under control. A few others stood and introduced themselves but I never heard any of them. The room began to clear out and the man beside me leaned over, “Don’t worry you aren’t the only one who likes awkward moments. I’m getting together with friends Friday night at this great place called Trifecta in the Market district. You should come.”

“What’s your name?”

“Raymond Thomas.” I nod at him politely, knowing I should have already known his name from his introduction and his fun fact. I stay silent as he gathers up his things. “Just think about it okay? We will be there around eight and I promise it’ll be fun, maybe even a little awkward.” He grins and gives me a wink as he gets up and heads out the door.

I put my notebook and pen back in my bag. Mr. Devereaux’s eyes tracked Raymond as he left the room and then his eyes fell on me. I gave him a small smile and then looked down as I passed him to go out the door. His fingers lightly grazed my arm, and I trembled at his touch.

“Miss Monroe, I’m sorry again about your blouse.”

I folded my arm over to touch the arm he had just touched. “Oh, no, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been there.”

He was quiet for a moment, a look of bewilderment on his face. “Why are you sorry? When I was the one who hit you with the door?”

I didn’t want to tell him the reason why I was there and I had a habit of rambling when I got nervous—which I was. I need to get out of this room. “ I just meant, I should have been watching where I was going.”

The air conditioning kicked on and it sent a wave of his cologne my way. I looked up at him, recalling my dreams from the previous night. I had a strong desire to be bold but boldness was only in my dreams. “I didn’t realize you were my boss”, I blurted out.

He smiled. “I’m not. Helen is technically your boss.”

That wasn’t what I had meant. I meant that I had no idea he was the Roman of Devereaux Industries. I suddenly found myself wondering how old he was.I realized too late that I was staring at him and shook my head, silently cursing myself. “Um… I should get going for that free snack. I’m sure I’ll see you around Mr. Devereaux.” God what a dumb thing to say.

He lowered his eyebrows slightly to me when I said his name as if he were deep in thought. He nodded, “See you soon Ollie.”