Slipperless Series (Book #1)(22)

“Gabe, how will our performance be evaluated? After all, no two of us are working on the same aspect of the project.”

“Excellent question, Amanda.” Before I answered her, I spent a moment looking around the table. “Anyone have a similar concern?”

Within a second or two, most everyone nodded their head.

“All right then. Well, the answer is simple. Each of you will have key performance metrics specific to your role in the project upon which you will be evaluated. Whichever one of you shows the most improvement in the shortest time frame possible will be the winner. In this way, the playing field is leveled, since each of you are measured by your individual accomplishments.”

As I finished, I fixed my face in an expectant gaze. “Any other questions?”

For a few seconds, I glanced around the table at them. After it became clear there weren’t any more, I began to wrap things up.

“Very well, I’ll get with Colin on the timeframe. Beyond that, I’ll leave it to him to set your individual benchmarks. Remember, this is about speed and efficiency. I realize it’s not the ideal pathway to good science but we’re under the gun right now and we need some big jumps in progress. All right then, everyone, good luck. Let's get to work.”

As I finished speaking, the assembled group began to stand from the conference table and exit the room. I remained at the head of it, giving nods of encouragement to the passersby until Fiona approached.

“Fiona,” I said as I gestured with my head for her to follow me. “A word.”

After we’d gotten out of earshot, I turned and looked at her. With fingers half-covered in her lab coat, Fiona stood before me clutching her planner at the waist. Her blond hair wrapped around her face, partially concealing her blue eyes beneath a few wayward strands. Perfect lips tinted with a rose-colored blush stood in stark contrast to her flawless, milky skin.

“Yes? What did you want to tell me?” she said after a few moments.

Even in a room half-filled with people, I couldn’t stop it from happening. For another moment, I stared at her, my jaw flexing as I battled a sudden urge. Out of nowhere an instinct rose up inside of me.

Tell her? What did I want to tell her? I didn’t want to tell her anything.

No.

What I wanted to do to her didn’t involve words unless grunting was considered a language. Speaking was the last thing on my mind all of a sudden. Because in that instant, I wanted to grab her, throw her down on the conference room table, spread her legs and…

Easy Gabe. Easy bud.

Of course, I didn’t.

Instead, I raised my hand to my face, dragging it across my lips as I beat my carnal self into submission. Once I had it controlled, I spoke.

“Yes, Fiona. There is something I wanted to say to you.”

Her expression changed only a little as she looked at me. It became plain enough to see my desires went undetected, for now.

“Okay,” she said as she shifted position a bit. Sliding her fingers through her hair, she tucked it behind her ears. “What was it?”

I swallowed as her neck came into view. Inhaling, I looked away from it and back towards her eyes. “Simply put. I expect you to win this competition.”

“You… do?”

“Yes, absolutely. In fact, anything less would be a huge disappointment to me.”

She smiled.



FIONA

For obvious reasons, I hadn’t shared the details of my fainting incident with my grandmother. She’d worry and lecture me about working too hard and being stressed about money. Ultimately she'd be upset about the debt again, and I had no interest in making her go through that.

And besides, I’d worry she was worried.

Anyway, it was better left unsaid.

However, I was excited to share the news with her about the project and the promotion I’d receive if I happened to win the competition. And so, as I did most evenings, I ate dinner with her in her room and readied myself to tell her once we’d finished.

We munched on a pot roast I’d thrown together before I left for work that morning. I sat in a recliner eating off a tray while she ate in bed, as usual. About halfway finished with my meal, I swallowed a piece of the savory, tender beef. Afterward, I dabbed at the corner of my mouth with my napkin and prepared to give her the good news, when she beat me to it with a question of her own.

“So how was work today, my dear? Are you enjoying it and getting along with everyone?”

“Yes,” I replied as placed my fork down on my plate. “Actually, I’ve got some very exciting news to share with you.”

“Oh?” she replied, as she finished a bite. “Well, that’s wonderful. Please, I’m all ears.”