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Ryan...the dreams…we’re going to figure this out.” He took me
under his arm, and then pressed his lips to my forehead. I let
myself melt into his body, and the anger gradually slipped away.
Backpack in hand, he gently tugged my fingers. “May I walk you to
class?”
    A quick nod from me prompted a slow pace
across campus. We walked in silence, but he squeezed my hand
intermittently to encourage me along. It didn’t feel right to be
there without Ryan’s smiling face. The thought of nights at the pub
or study group only being a reminder to everyone of his absence—and
why he left—was discomforting to say the least.
    The day was long, but I muddled through it.
Jared drove me to the office after classes, and dealing with Grant,
mountains of paperwork, and training took my mind off darker
thoughts.
    “ We’re moving you today,”
Grant said with his bright smile and deep dimples.
    “ Moving where?” I asked,
wondering what else I could possibly train for. I had been in every
department of the company, and had just begun the managerial
training. In truth, I had mastered everything Grant could do long
before my internship, and could do it better. I had excellent
rapport with the clients, and because of my hard work over the
summer, the employees had embraced me. Short from sending me
overseas, there was nothing I hadn’t seen.
    “ Over there,” Grant
nodded.
    I didn’t turn around. I knew where he was
gesturing. He was moving me to my father’s office, the one space in
the entire building I had avoided.
    “ I don’t need to do that,
yet,” I said, trying to mask my unease.
    “ Nina, you’re the CEO of
this company. It’s time you took the office.”
    “ Why the hurry, Grant? Are
you looking to retire?” I asked, fidgeting with my
blouse.
    “ I’m not asking you to run
the company, but you can’t gain respect from the staff filing
downstairs with the interns. Solidify your position with your
employees before you graduate and take over.”
    The elevator opened and Sasha appeared,
gliding a tube of lip gloss over her too-bright lip stick. “Grant,
a package for you was sent to our office by mistake,” she said,
handing him the large, paper envelope. “I saw a shirt exactly like
that on a homeless woman this morning,” she said, staring at me
with repugnance. “There are better places to shop than the
community thrift store, Nina, really….”
    I looked down and then back at her, suddenly
open to the idea of changing offices. “Sasha, glad you’re here.
Grant wants me to take my father’s office. I’ll leave you in charge
of transferring my things.”
    “ You’re…?” Sasha looked to
Grant for indemnity, but he raised his eyebrows expectantly. Her
expression scrolled through several emotions ranging from shock,
anger, to defeat, then finally turned on her heels. “I’ll take care
of that right away,” she said through her teeth.
    Had I slept the night before, my mood would
have soared, but I simply looked at the door of my father’s office
and sighed.
    Grant patted my shoulder. “You’ve earned it,
Peanut. And if it makes you feel better…I like the shirt.”
    “ Thanks,” I said, sliding
from his touch.
    Carl from maintenance exited the elevator,
and passed by with a tool bag, a bucket, and a squeegee. He stopped
at my father’s office door and peered at the black block letters on
the glass.
     
    Jack Grey
    CEO
     
    He pulled a box knife from his pocket, and
began scratching at the letters.
    “ Don’t!” I yelled. Carl
froze, and I hurried to the door, smoothing out the Y of my
father’s name. “Leave it,” I said softly.
    “ Yes, ma’m,” Carl said,
clearly rattled. He shot a glance to Grant, and then left the way
he came.
    “ I’m sorry. I assumed you’d
want your name on your door. I thought you’d like it,” Grant
said.
    “ They can both fit,” I
said. “Just put my name under his.”
    “ You’re the boss,” Grant
said, his expression matching his tone.
    I