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Over the next couple of weeks, Leah and I fall into an easy pattern. Some evenings, we eat together, but usually, if she knows I’m going to be working late, she plates me up a dinner and places it in my warming drawer. Those nights, I find myself missing her and her insights into business and life.
The Callahan presentation goes incredibly well, as I knew it would. Leah is present, along with the rest of the team.
“I’m impressed, Frazer,” he says, shaking my hand after I walk him to the elevator.
“Thank you. I hope you will see it as a reason to move your business to Frazer Investments. As a boutique hedge fund, we offer a more personalised client service than some of our larger competitors.” I use the words I’ve heard Leah sprout a hundred times over the years.
Callahan nods, his smile giving me positive vibes.
“I like you, and I like your team. A very professional outfit you have here.”
It’s at that moment Leah joins us.
“Here are the extra packs you wanted,” she says, handing over the printed prospectus.
“Thank you, Leah,” he says, motioning for his PA to take them. “I was just saying to Gabriel here what a professional outfit he has created. I like it. That and the longevity of the staff. You keep your staff happy, Gabriel. That’s the sign of a good leader.”
I freeze at his condescending tone. I may only be twenty-nine, young in terms of all I’ve achieved. But I know how to run a business. Callahan is in his sixties. Old school. One look from Leah, and I know not to take offence.
Leah nods and smiles at him. “I’ve been here since the beginning and wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”
Callahan seems to like her reply. He shakes our hands and leaves. Leah follows me back to my office.
I motion for her to close the door.
“I think that went well,” I say, only to have her squeal and throw her arms around my neck.
She steps back, her eyes wide.
“Sorry,” she says awkwardly, smoothing down her dress. When she looks up, she gives me a shy smile. “I’d say it went better than okay. You were amazing. Looking at his response and everyone on his team. I’ll be surprised if he doesn’t come on board.”
I stare at her, speechless. In eight years, I’ve never seen Leah so animated. She never really lets on how a meeting has gone. She’ll congratulate me, celebrate with the team when we gain a new client. But she’s always held herself apart, maintained her professional boundaries.
Now, there is this. Our growing friendship. We have spent quite a few evenings working on this presentation over dinner. Pride swells in my chest at her praise. Not that I need it. I’m good at what I do - better than good. But for some reason, her recognising it makes it feel—more.
“Tonight, I’ll make us an extra special dinner to celebrate,” she says, after we discuss a few additional points that came up in the meeting.
“I’ll look forward to it,” I say, watching her leave and finding myself meaning every word.
CHAPTER 13
LEAH
Gabriel’s head appears around the door. His expression is pinched as he rubs frantically at his forehead.
“I’ll send it straight over,” I say, waving him in.
He enters, dropping himself into the chair opposite my desk. His whole body exudes tension, including the vein throbbing fiercely in his forehead.
I put the phone down and lean forward, resting my forearms on the desk.
“Callahan’s PA,” I say, grinning.
We are so close I can feel it.
“What can I do for you?” I ask, smiling at him, not wanting to jump to any conclusions.
“I’ve...” Gabriel stutters over his words before running a hand through his hair. “I’ve just received a call from the manager at El Castillo,” he says. “There’s been an incident.”
