How to Fail at Flirting(24)
I tapped my fingers against the side of the phone, glancing from the screen to the direction Jill had walked. I’d allowed myself to feel excited and take risks in the last few days. It was a shift I liked, and I didn’t want to waste the opportunity.
With another deep breath, I took a step forward.
Eleven
At the reception, I silently cursed Joe, Miami, and Hurricane Beatrice. Everyone in the room outranked me by two or three pay grades. Though I’d chosen an unadorned, high-necked black dress and simple black heels, I felt like a child playing dress-up at an adult party.
The university’s upper administration huddled in small groups, sipping wine and talking in low, nervous murmurs. Two people I recognized from another campus department walked in. I didn’t particularly like Bea or Gregory, because they were consummate gossips, but I smiled as I walked toward them across the shiny hardwood floor. Play nice. Make friends.
They welcomed me into their small circle, and I learned that no one knew the reason for the impromptu event. Anxiety was plentiful as the volume in the room grew. I glanced at my watch. The thought of being near Jake again sent a pleasurable jolt through my belly, and I bit my lip to stop from grinning like I’d been doing all day. I tried to focus on the tail end of the conversation.
Bea chimed in with her nasally voice. “I should reach out to Davis Garner—he’s still so well-connected here.”
I tensed at his name, and Gregory coughed, darting his eyes in my direction. Subtle. “That’s not a bad idea,” I interjected before he started trying to talk in code, hoping that my change in mood didn’t show. Gregory’s shoulders seemed to relax, and Bea continued talking, apparently unaware of the entire exchange. Davis had worked for another university for years, but a sinking feeling made me scan the room so I could be prepared for his sneer, his cutting words, or worse. The number of times his name had come up in the last few days made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
President Lewis stepped to the microphone at the front of the room. Voices hushed as the tall, slender man looked over the group of senior faculty and staff. Flip Lewis carried himself with a squareness to his shoulders that bespoke a youthful arrogance turned to aged confidence. In his seventies, with white hair, his eyes always struck me as kind, and he smiled a lot.
“Thank you.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you all for joining me this evening. I have an announcement, and it is important you hear it directly and all at the same time.” His voice was pleasant, but expressions, and probably sphincters, tightened around the room as he spoke. An introduction like that was never going to mean good news.
“Thurmond University is a fine institution, and since my arrival last year I have been listening and learning everything I can about your departments, research, our students, and the alumni.”
I stood in the area farthest from the president, my back to a wall filled with portraits of previous presidents, and I slipped my phone from my purse to glance at the screen. I remembered Quinton or Quentin texting during my class, and the irony wasn’t lost on me.
Jake: I am ready to get my hands on you again.
Jake: Sexy or creepy?
I smiled, my chest fluttering as I flicked my gaze to President Lewis gesturing to his wife. “When Rebecca and I moved here . . .” I was comfortable that whatever story was beginning would take a minute or two to wind down.
Naya: Mostly creepy. 70/30?
Jake: Only 30? You’re hard to please. Though . . . it’s fun to try.
“And that’s how I concluded that it’s time for Thurmond to move in a new direction and make a shift from being an excellent institution to being the top university in the country. This summer, we are going to embark on a journey toward reaching that goal.”
Jake: Have to go but I’ll see if I can earn a few more points later. I’ll msg you when I’m done.
“I will invite Carlton Brohm to join me.” A stocky man in an expensive-looking, tailored navy suit smiled and moved to stand next to President Lewis. “Carlton runs a management consulting firm, Brohm, Shaw and Associates, that will help us chart our course.”
A collective inhalation spread around the room. Management consultants plus “a new direction” meant cuts and significant changes—none of which were going to be popular. I nervously tapped my fingers against my thigh.
“Thank you for inviting us,” the shorter man said in a booming voice that ricocheted off the walls in the small space. “BSA is a new company, and we bring unique analytic, strategic, and innovation-centered skills to our work. We look forward to helping you capitalize on your strengths.”
I nodded, as did those around me, well aware that “capitalizing on your strengths” usually meant eliminating your weaknesses. We were about to be measured.
“More details will be forthcoming, but I want to introduce someone else you’ll get to know well.”
Carlton’s partner joined him on the platform, and my breath caught in my throat.
Twelve
My eyes widened, and a voice in my head screeched to a halt.
The president assured the collected group this was ultimately going to be a good experience even though change was anxiety inducing. I stopped listening, and my eyes followed Jake as he stepped offstage, whispering with his colleague as the president finished speaking and invited guests to stay and enjoy a drink.