The Wright Boss(76)

I grinned. "Sounds good. I'll see you after work."

She shook her head and sent one more look pointed my way-half-desire and half-anger. Then, she peeked out of the restroom and disappeared. I took a minute to steady myself against the sink. I'd been so close to fucking her right then and there on the restroom sink. And I hadn't given two fucks.

Discretion was causing me physical pain. Fuck, Jensen and his stay away from her.

With a sigh, I ran a hand back through my hair and eased back to my desk.

I was finally getting through the rest of my emails for the morning when there was a knock at the door. I glanced up and saw Matt standing at the door. "Come on in." 

"Hey, Landon," he said, entering the room.

"How can I help you, Matt?"

Matt's face darkened, and he glanced away. Then, he firmly shut the door and took the seat in front of me. "I wanted to talk about the lead engineer position with you."

"What about it?"

"I know you had some role in choosing who got the promotion. I thought our conversation regarding the position went really well."

I leaned back in my seat and assessed him. "It did."

"I thought so. I'm a very experienced engineer. I have all the certifications. I work on all the biggest projects. I've been here day in and day out, putting in the hours, making sure everything is right, and generally holding this department together."

"Okay." I had a feeling I knew where this was going, and I wasn't going to like it.

This Matt guy sure thought highly of himself. In my experience, the people with the best credentials didn't have to flaunt them.

"Then, why exactly did Heidi get the promotion over me?" He crossed his arms and waited.

"Matt, while I understand that you might be upset because you did not receive the promotion, I cannot disclose the contents of Heidi's interview or credentials. She was the most qualified person for the job, and that was why she was chosen."

"Sorry to say so, sir, but that seems ridiculous."

I stood from my desk and buttoned the top button of my suit jacket. "We're very sorry that we were unable to offer you the job, but there will be more opportunities in the future."

Matt looked disgusted with me and then turned and walked out.

My day didn't get any better. No less than three other men in the department came to talk to me about picking Heidi over them. From what I gathered, they didn't believe that a woman could accurately do a man's job. When the last guy flat-out told me that, it took all my energy not to punch him in the teeth.

"That'll do," I said, my voice short and irritated. "Heidi is perfectly capable of being a lead engineer and more. You should get used to the idea. Now, get out of my office."

I spent the rest of the day in silence and solitude. I knew that I had been short with everyone because they were talking about Heidi. But I also felt the general attitude was reprehensible. Morgan could handle all of Wright Construction just as well, if not better, than Jensen. There was no reason to say otherwise about Heidi.

Before I realized it, the time had flown by, and suddenly, I was well past the end of the day. I rubbed my tired eyes and stood from my desk. Today had been exhausting. As I was about to shut my computer down, one last email came through.

Ryan Copeland.

I laughed. I hadn't heard that name in a while. I opened the email from probably my best golfing friend and read the contents.

You know you want to.

I scrolled down and saw what he meant. I frowned and then contemplated. Hmm … maybe he's right.

I pulled out my phone and shot Heidi a text message.

Go away with me this weekend.

A ding sounded from down the hallway, and I found Heidi herself walking toward me. She looked just as worn down from the day as I did.

"I didn't know you were still here," I said.

"I didn't know you were still here either." She held up her phone as she wandered into my office. "What's this about?"

The floor was eerily empty when I closed the door behind her. "Do you want to go?"

She leaned backward against my desk. Her pencil skirt slid up her thighs, and I couldn't help my gaze from shifting there.

"Landon, we should talk about this. You know it's a bad idea for us to be seen together. What you did earlier … "



       
         
       
        

"Yes?" I asked, stepping up to her. I was close enough to touch her, but I didn't.

"It was not smart."

"Is anyone else here tonight?"

"No," she told me. "Everyone left an hour ago. I was still filling out paperwork and figuring out everything I needed for the new job."