Connectivity Read Online Free PDF Page B

week and he completely gets it.
    “I took the job to get my foot in the door,” I explain. “I know you have to work from the bottom up. I had no delusions about that. And I am willing to work hard, learn different things, and eventually move over to the Beautiful Homes Network.”
    “Do you even like sports?” he asks.
    I feel my face grow hotter. “Um . . . no,” I confess. “I do not.”
    I can tell by his face he is assessing my words.
    Cumberland raises an eyebrow. “So you must really want to work for the Beautiful Homes Network if you are willing to make that sacrifice.”
    He pauses for a moment, then says, “I have a proposal. I like what you have done with your blog and your cubicle. Why don’t you decorate my office, write an article about it, and I will personally have it posted to the Beautiful Homes Network website? They could use some fresh voices over there. Then I ask that you stay with me for six months, while the transition is the heaviest, and then I will release you for any job you want. In the meantime, though, let’s see if we can get you writing over there, in addition to the duties you have for me, of course.”
    Oh my God! Elation pours through me as his offer sinks in. Cumberland is going to help me! He’s going to let me write and use my brain and get my foot in the door at my dream company!
    “Mr. Cumberland, I cannot even begin to tell you what this means to me,” I say honestly. “Thank you so, so much for the opportunity. I promise it won’t interfere in any way with the work I have to do for you. That is always going to be my top priority, I assure you of that.”
    “Very well then.” Cumberland moves back around to his desk, and I am about to walk out the door when he stops me.
    “And Ms. Grant?”
    I turn around. “Yes?”
    “If I see any décor items that say ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ I will bloody well scream,” he says, sinking down into his chair.
    I can’t help it. I burst out laughing and laugh so hard I snort.
    And much to my utter shock, Cumberland joins me with a deep, throaty laugh that catches me completely off guard. It is so rich sounding it completely fills the room.
    I am in shock, because I didn’t think he could laugh, and when he did . . . oh God, it was very attractive.
    What am I thinking ? This is Cumberland. Media Mogul billionaire William Cumberland. My boss. Have I lost my freaking mind?
    “Bloody hell, did you just snort?” Cumberland asks, his intense blue eyes now dancing at me.
    “Um . . . yes,” I say, feeling my face grow warm for the sixtieth time.
    He chuckles and shakes his head. “Thank you for the verification, Ms. Grant.”
    And just like that, Cumberland’s expression goes back to serious. Almost as if he realized he has shared too much of himself with me.
    “All right,” Cumberland says, clearing his throat as he picks up a silver pen and begins reviewing a contract on his desk.
    I go back to my cubicle and bite my lip. Something just happened in there. For a moment, a brief moment, Cumberland became William . William, who revealed he knew people liked to “yes, sir,” “whatever, sir” him. William, who had the deep, contagious laugh . . .
    And for some reason I cannot explain, the realization unnerves me. More than I care to admit.
    During the next few weeks I begin to understand just how insane Cumberland’s world is. Everyone wants a piece of him—his cell is always blowing up; his email is overflowing; my line is ringing constantly with a person who has a crisis only Cumberland can solve.
    He travels a lot, too. In just the past month, he had been back to England once, to Tokyo, and South Africa. I have no idea how he keeps his time zones straight. I really don’t.
    Yet, no matter where he is in the world, he always comments on my blog. And I always text him back my thoughts, which leads to a little conversation via text.
    Beep!
    I smile to myself. Like now. I am sitting on the couch watching The