Dating For Decades Read online

  “I don’t think I need to give the team any of the work I’m doing.” I don’t want to, either. I have a routine and like to keep busy.

  “We really need to push play on the Pilot Project. The Board of Directors has given November first as a deadline.”

  “I can do that.” At least I hope I can since I just committed to it. Quite a lot still needs to be done, including coming up with a plan.

  “Cassie, I’m sure you would find a way to make it work, but I need this to be a top-notch production. I’m bringing in another person to help you out with the job.”

  “Excuse me?” My voice squeaks like a teenager, and in my head, I’m already across the desk with my hands around his throat. This is my project. I suggested we do it, and I presented it to the board. I’ll be damned if Terrence is taking it away from me.

  He releases his hands and sets them gently on his desk. “His name is Lucas, and I think you two will get along fine.”

  I don’t really care if I mesh with this guy because I’m not looking for a friend. “You’ve already hired somebody?” Terrence went ahead and posted the position and interviewed people? Why did he keep me in the dark about this? He and I — we’re a team. We discuss these things and make decisions together.

  “He graduated last month, and I think he’ll be a great asset. He can take the lead on the project, and you can help out when needed.”

  “Wait. Just graduated? As in, he’s never even stepped foot into a real environment and you’re going to put him on the Pilot Project? What is he, like your nephew or something?”

  “Actually, he is.”

  What the hell? Right now I can’t decipher if I’m shaking from the lack of carbohydrates and sugar in my system or the bubbling anger building inside of me. His nephew? A family member? This is completely unfair.

  “Cassie, I didn’t hire him because he’s my nephew. He’s good and really knows his stuff.”

  “So do I. I can do this on my own.” I’m stern with him, holding onto any bit of confidence I have left. I’m not having some young kid come in and upstage me. Especially not someone who got the job because of blood. My blood runs through this company, too, and in my opinion, in a much more deserving way.

  He taps his fingers on the desk before standing and walking to the window. He puts his hands in his pockets and stares out onto the lake. “One of the reasons I think you’re such a great worker is your desire to succeed. You don’t let anything stand in your way and, most times, complete the job on your own.”

  “Thank you.” So far, completely true. I feel a but coming on.

  “But.” There it is. “Sometimes certain deadlines get in the way, and you need to ask for assistance.” He turns and meets my eyes. “There isn’t any shame in asking for help.”

  “I’m not ashamed, Terrence. I just don’t need any.” I stop before he can interrupt and insult me any further. “But, if you feel I need to step back, fine.” See? I can throw buts around, too.

  “Thank you, Cassie, because you and Lucas will be co-managers.”

  Did I hear him correctly? “Wait. He’s going to be management?” I’ve been at this company for seven years. It took me five to raise up to the management ranks. This hot shot kid is straight out of college and he’s a manager? On my level?

  “Trust me, Cassie. He’s smart. Brilliant, actually.”

  He grins like that of an uncle would do. I’m sure my Uncle Ray would say the same about me, if I kept in contact with any of my family other than weddings.

  It’s no use. He’s already hired Lucas, and it’s not like he’s going to fire his nephew on account of me. My eyes glaze over and I realize I’m shaking my head. If Terrence notices, he doesn’t say anything. “So, when do I meet this guy?” Can I tell my Aunt Ella I’ve met a man? Does this count?

  Terrence presses a button on his phone. “Monica, please send Lucas in.”

  Great. He’s already here? He’s probably been here all day observing me. Why didn’t he discuss this with me right away in the morning? The day is almost over, and I’ve probably passed him in the hall a zillion times.

  Okay, Cassie, game face on for this know-it-all. Even though he technically is going to be a boss as well, I need to make my position clear, but at the same time be friendly. If he respects me straight out of the gate, we shouldn’t have a problem.

  A knock on the door redirects my focus. Confidence. I need to exude confidence. This isn’t some Joe Blow off the street. This is Terrence’s nephew. Someone who knows my boss better than I do, and if I act or say something wrong, my mistakes will most certainly make it back to him.

  The door opens and a tall, slender, toned man waltzes in. His black hair is buzzed, leaving little knots at the top. His green eyes pop against his dark skin. This is Terrence’s nephew? I expected someone a little less slick and a lot more nerdy. Terrence doesn’t exactly resemble the classy guy he pretends to be. Sure, he’s polite and professional, but he fits the typical stereotype of an IT geek, even at his age. Lucas is in his early twenties and has pulled together a sleek look with his dress slacks and button up shirt. A tie would complete the look, but he’d come across as much too elegant and sexy for the position. Wait — sexy? No. I check my hormones and redirect my pulsating body from admiration to anger. I hate this guy.

  “Lucas, I’d like you to meet Cassie, my secondhand person at the firm.”

  Good thing I’m a woman because if I were a man I don’t think I’d be able to stand for a few moments, or be in search of a book to put in front of my lap. “A pleasure meeting you,” I politely say as I firmly shake his hand, his soft, soft hand.

  “The pleasure is all mine.”

  I’m so taken with his eyes. They’re pulling me in, and I’m drowning. He probably sweet-talked his way into this job. Those eyes can hypnotize anyone.

  I sit back down, and he takes the chair next to me. Now it’s time to make nice.

  “Your uncle tells me you’re a recent college grad.”

  “Yes. I received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Networking and I graduated with top honors.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Top honors. Impressive. Almost as impressive as his beautiful face.

  “And while we’re on the subject, I would prefer not to call Terrence my uncle during working hours. I want to prove myself here without everyone thinking it had something to do with our family.”

  Do I want to commend Lucas for his professionalism, or stick my finger down my throat for his blatant attempt to suck up and look like a better person? He may be drop-dead gorgeous (there’s a cliché if I’ve ever heard one), but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m still pissed off about the whole situation.

  “Fair enough. Did Terrence bring you up to speed on the Pilot Project?”

  “Yes, he has. I’m very familiar with it and want to share some ideas with you.”

  I’m not sure why he thinks any of his ideas would sway any of mine, but whatever. I’ll push through this, let him present his thoughts, and make him think he’s the one coming up with the final plan.

  “Sounds great.” My stomach grumbles. If I don’t feed this belly of mine, I’ll be passed out in Lucas’ lap. “I have a meeting,” I lie, “but let’s chat soon.”

  I thank Terrence and let myself out. Once back in my office, I slump over my desk. This can’t be happening. A hot, young professional has come in to prove he can do a better job than me. I’m damn good at what I do, but I can’t compete with a fresh graduate who has learned the latest and greatest technology. I yank open my center drawer. Chocolate. Where is it? There has to be a piece in here somewhere. A little refueling will help me through this. I find what I’m looking for and rip apart the wrapper, snapping off a bite.

  Co-managers. You’ve got to be kidding me.

  Chapter

  Three

  I’m not sure how Shannon gets anything done around her house. With a ten and a twelve-year-old boy, her house reaches obnoxiously loud decibels. She’s sitti
ng on her couch, coffee in hand, her legs pulled up on the cushion, and I’m on the sofa, my legs crossed, furiously working on my iPad. Meanwhile, Jake and Jordan are wrestling on the floor in front of us. Her house is like a second home to me, and I don’t hesitate to make myself comfortable.

  “How do you do this?” I ask, glancing at the battling boys as I swipe through my emails.

  “I let them work out their differences on their own.”

  Soon one of them will kill the other, I’m certain. Kids never were on my radar and they still aren’t. I never felt a motherly urge my entire life. Maybe the fact that my mother wasn’t much of one contributed to that. I work. I don’t mother. Jake screams, which Shannon ignores. “How can you even think?” I much prefer silence to work. Well, at least library quiet, not yelling kids.

  She laughs and sips her coffee, letting out a loud “Aah.” I’m wording an email and trying to type as she responds. “After a few years, you drown it all out. The shouting and stuff puts me at ease. If they’re not making noise, that’s when I need to worry.”

  A message comes through that one of our servers is down. I don’t want to deal with this right now. I came over with the full intent of enjoying Shannon’s company, but, as usual, work calls. I forward the email onto the supervisor, Julian, at the help desk with detailed instructions on how to handle the situation. Yes, I’m aware my supervisor can manage this without my assistance, that’s why I hired him, but I don’t want to have to end up going into the office to fix this if he misses a step. I ask him to email me when he’s done.

  “Do you ever put that thing down, Cassie?”

  “What? My iPad? Sure.” I open a few more emails before deleting them. Then I toss my tablet on the seat next to me.

  “Don’t.”

  “Don’t what?” I reach for my purse, which is on the couch.

  “Don’t get your phone. You’re trading your iPad for your phone, which, honestly, is basically the same thing. Shut down every once in a while. Unplug.” She pulls her dark hair back and twirls it to one side.

  “I do. From about midnight to five.” I dig in my purse and pull out the phone.

  Shannon pushes off the couch and grabs my cell from me, not saying a word as she tosses it back into my purse. With her free hand, she picks up my purse and brings it back to the sofa with her, clutching it at her side.

  “What are you doing?” I need my cell. If I can’t stay connected to work, something can go wrong and I can’t fix it. That device is my lifeline.

  “Taking control. Shutting you off. Take a half-hour to unplug. Please. I didn’t invite you over to visit with the top of your head.”

  She’s right. My job requires me to be available and online, but I can take a minute to appease her. “Okay. Sorry. Let’s chat.” I place my hands on my lap like an attentive student, though my mind keeps racing, wondering if Julian has responded to my email yet, or even seen it for that matter.

  Shannon places her coffee on the arm of the sofa, her hand gripped around it. “This is a little weird, now, I must admit. Your devices are like an additional limb on your body.”

  Am I that bad? Everyone is like this these days. People take their phones everywhere. The bathroom, shopping, out to dinner. I even witness joggers checking their phone. Shannon is a rarity — I’m the norm.

  “My boss hired another manager this week. Well, his fresh out of college nephew who’s supposed to help me with the big project I’ve been devoted to for the past three months.”

  “I hope you held yourself together.”

  “I did. I’m really pissed, though.” She knows me so well. I’m sure she expects me to paint a picture of myself as a fire-breathing dragon, but even I can tame my emotions when necessary.

  Shannon shushes me and points over to her boys, who are still wrestling.

  “Mom, we know that word,” Jake unlatches from his brother to say. “We’ve heard you use it plenty of times.”

  “What! I have not!”

  I smile at her. Busted. She used to have a mouth like a trucker, but when she had the boys, she cleaned it up. She doesn’t fool me, though. She still uses her fair amount of f-bombs and other not suitable for children words.

  “You two go upstairs. Now. Let me visit with Aunt Cassie.”

  I’m actually not their aunt, but I’ve known Shannon since high school, so I might as well be. She’s like the sister I never had. “Bye, guys.” I wait as they race each other up the stairs.

  “You need to limit your phone time. Put it down. Find a hobby, for God’s sake.”

  Are we back on this again? First, Aunt Ella corners me with the insatiable need to marry me off, and now Shannon insists I shut down my technology. “I do have a hobby.”

  “Walking on the treadmill while you watch TV on your iPad is not a hobby. Put yourself out there and do something. You might meet a guy.”

  “I meet plenty of guys.” I’m not shy about dating. At all. It’s June and I have five relationships under my belt. Of course, by relationships, I mean hook-ups. All nice men. All ready to commit. I’m too busy for something serious. Who wants to deal with a clingy man who has to spend all his time with me? My personal space is important to me. Casual hookups are the best. No commitment. No one gets hurt. Especially me.

  She puts the coffee down again. “Look. Enough with your one-night-stands or whatever they are. Find someone to marry already.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to get married.”

  Her eyes widen like this is the first time she’s hearing this. “Who doesn’t want to get married? A huge wedding and a flowing gown? Everyone’s attention on you for the entire day? And presents. Lots of presents.”

  “Plenty of people. Take George Clooney, for example.”

  “He is married.”

  “Yeah, but consider how long it took him. I’ve got at least ten or fifteen more years before I’m his age.” Committing to another human being for the rest of my life? No. That’s not natural.

  “I’m not saying you need to meet the guy you’re going to marry, but Cassie, stay with one person for a while. You’re kind of ...”

  “Kind of what?” I know what she’s thinking, but I want her to say it.

  “Well, if I’m being honest –”

  “Please, be honest.” Do it. Say it. I dare you.

  “Trampy.”

  And she said it. Even if I was sure that was what she was thinking, hearing the actual words sting a little. “I’m thirty-nine years old, Shannon. I’m not some high school hussy who slept with the entire football team.”

  “It’s been at least a football team.”

  “So you’re judging me now?” I never brag about the guys I meet, but I always sensed a bit of jealousy from her. She met Ben in college and they got married right after graduation. But commitment is her thing, not mine. She always wanted to have a Prince Charming and become a suburban housewife.

  “No. Not at all. I think you’re married to your work, though, and you may be a little less stressed out if you stayed with a guy a little longer than a few weeks. Isn’t that why you started that support group?”

  “I created the group to meet other women like me. And along the way, I realize I’m happy how things are. I keep it going for the others.” Even though I don’t want to commit to a man, I commit to other things in my life. When I started Dating for Decades a handful of ladies joined and they need me and each other. I can’t let my girls down.

  “Well, that’s great then. But why not do something else with your free time? I mean, keep the group going, but maybe do some volunteering? Something in your field.”

  The thought crossed my mind before. For one, it would spice up my resume. I’m not looking to switch jobs, but in the event I do, this will only push my visibility. Second, I love technology and this gives me another reason to work with my passion.

  “I’ve got an idea!” Shannon practically jumps from the couch. “The library. I always see flyers with people teaching things there. Why
not teach some sort of a class?”

  “I guess I can do something like that.” I shrug and take a drink of my coffee. It’s not as sweet as I’d like, but I’ll force the java down. “What could I teach, though?”

  “Why don’t you go to the library and talk with someone there? I’m sure they can help you.”

  I could use a distraction from my situation at work and this may prove a good way to do that. I can’t deny the possibility that I may learn something, too.

  “When, though? My weeknights are usually jam packed with work and on Saturdays I have yoga.”

  “So move yoga to Sunday. Problem solved.”

  Of course she had an answer ready. Shannon will do anything or say anything to push me out of my comfort zone. She always has. Not a visit goes by where she doesn’t try to pop my work bubble and get me to do something else.

  “Fine. I’ll try it.” She smiles and her eyes light up. “For you.”

  “Thank you. You’ll love doing something for someone else.”

  Maybe, but I’ve spent my entire life focusing on me and bettering who I am. Do I even know how to help someone else?

  I guess I’ll find out.

  •••••••

  The last time I set foot in a public library I waited for hours for my mom to come pick me up. She dropped me on a Thursday after school and told me she had to work and would be there by eight to pick me up. The books kept me busy for a while, then by 7:45 I began to worry. What if she didn’t come back for me? What if one of her “boyfriends” convinced her to be with him and leave me behind? She told me never to call the police if she ran late. Just wait.