He was used to being hit on in a professional setting, so he continued with the harmless banter before shaking hands with the pretty executive, promising to look over a few reports she wanted to leave with him.
“And how can I help you?” Benjamin smiled, moving on to the next person.
His job was endless, but he loved every second of it. Sure, he could have any of his project leaders introduce his products in design meetings, but he preferred to be the face when people saw his company. While they did billions of dollars in annual sales, Benjamin liked to think that his company was still close knit and run like a small start-up.
Many things remained from the launch of the business twenty years ago, including employees. It was his way of not getting a big head from so much success. Somehow, Benjamin had remained the same kid from his college days, and he liked to think it was by keeping people like Rachel around him.
She had been his friend from early childhood, and now she was more like a sister than anything else. Not much got done without Rachel’s approval, although her title said she was just Ben’s assistant. She knew the inner workings of the company better than anyone, and he trusted her opinion more than most.
“Well, let’s discuss that more in my office,” Benjamin suggested, leading the last member of the meeting out of the conference room.
The man had wanted to discuss the sales numbers in Canada, but because he didn’t have the necessary documents, Ben decided to finish the conversation in his office, where the statistics would be readily available.
The two men walked down the wide hallway to Benjamin’s office, his home away from home that was actually more comfortable than his actual house. As a self-proclaimed workaholic, Ben had no problem admitting that he always preferred to be at work.
Chapter Three
Katherine
THE BAKERY HAD JUST shut down, and Katherine was removing her apron when Talia approached her. She was responsible for training Katherine, and had been the first to make her feel welcome behind the counter at A Slice of Sicily.
“Did I hear right—do you live on Klondike?” she asked.
The paranoia set in as Katherine wondered where her co-worker had learned her address. Forcing herself to relax, she just nodded her head, plastering a feigned smile on her face.
“I’m just a few blocks from there. How do you get home?” Talia asked.
“Oh, I walk,” Katherine said, feeling awful. She wished she could offer Talia a ride, and after spending the day on her feet she could stand for a ride herself.
“That’s perfect! So do I. Come on, let’s walk together—I'll show you all the cool places,” Talia said. It was more of a command than a suggestion, so Katherine agreed, grabbing her jean jacket from the coat rack before following Talia out the front door.
“This is my favorite season. You know, when the leaves start to turn colors and your wardrobe triples because you need to layer your clothes,” Talia started. She was so talkative, and Katherine had taken to her from the moment they met.
There were some people you could just tell were genuine, and Talia was one of them. She was happy all the time, constantly going above and beyond to help customers throughout the day. Although Katherine had never worked as a barista before, Talia was patient with her, taking the time to teach her everything more than once.
“I like fall, too,” Katherine forced herself to answer. She was shy and timid, at least since her disastrous marriage.
Before she had submitted her life to Tim, she used to be very outgoing and personable, but now was closed off and suspicious of new connections. She had tried not to get close to anyone, because it made leaving more difficult.
With a crazy husband always on her heels, Katherine had to be ready to leave at the drop of a dime, and keeping to herself made that easier. But that lifestyle was tiring, and for once, she now felt that a new life was a possibility. If there was anyone she thought she could trust, it was Talia.
“That’s the best Italian spot in the city,” Talia exclaimed, pointing towards a small restaurant on the corner. People flooded from the shop carrying bags of food, and I made a mental note to try out the restaurant one day.
“So, how long have you lived in San Francisco?” Katherine asked, hoping not to weird Talia out by being too quiet.
“Born and raised actually,” Talia shouted so loudly a couple walking into the Italian restaurant turned in their direction.
Unable to bite back her mirth, Katherine erupted in giggles and Talia joined her. The two women laughed together as they continued through the colorful neighborhood. Katherine was relaxed and comfortable, asking for the closest laundry mat and pharmacy, trying to get her bearings in the new community.
“Where are you from?” Talia asked.
“Is it that obvious that I’m not from around here?” Katherine shot back, smiling broadly.
“You’re too—nervous.” Talia answered, unease evident on her face. She didn’t want to offend Katherine, but she had noticed that there was something off with her the first day they met. She had a high wall built up, but she wanted Katherine to know that she could lower it when it was just the two of them. She would never betray her or repeat anything shared privately.
“Nervous?” Katherine giggled, but in the back of her mind she knew exactly what Talia was hinting at. She was paranoid, always worried someone was out to get her.
“I don’t know. It’s like everything is new to you, and it’s written all over your face. You’re the tourist looking at a map on the corner of the street. I can tell you’re not completely comfortable. That’s why I wanted to walk home with you. Once you get the hang of the neighborhood, you’re going to fit in perfectly,” Talia explained.