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“Thank you,” I say just as my stomach growls.
“Come on, Ice will be back soon with lunch order.” He kisses my temple and we get out of bed. I grab a few snacks as we wait for Ice.
Ice returns with our food. We all eat and laugh together, before Ice leaves to join Smith in watching a basketball game.
Bruce has some work to review, and I retreat to my room to read a book. Until Bruce shows up, reminding me that I owe him a reverse cowgirl, making me laugh.
Chapter twenty-eight
Lexi/ Jola
I inhale and exhale, getting out of the car with Ice. I take a moment to look up at the tall building and remind myself that I’ve got this. Ice pauses next to me, waiting on me.
“Ready,” I say, and he nods. We make our way toward the elevator.
Our badges arrived two days ago, along with my computer and access I need to log into the system. I set everything up and I’m ready, despite the nervousness kicking in. Vanessa, Dele’s stylist, came over two days ago to braid my hair. I opted for two large, smooth cornrows, a simple and practical choice for the moment. As it turned out, Bruce had a fondness for my wild curls and glasses.
We take the elevator to the thirty-fifth floor and make our way through the doors using our badges. A receptionist smiles at us the moment the door slides open.
“Welcome, Ms. Doherty.” Her voice is thin and chirpy.
“Alexis, or Lexi, please,” I say, smiling back at her.
“Lexi, perfect. I’m Mandy.” We shake hands. “Julian asked me to inform him as soon as you arrived,” Mandy says.
“Okay. Should we wait here?” I ask.
“Oh no, the team is waiting in the conference room to meet you. Come with me, please.”
She starts walking and we follow. I don’t like the idea of meeting everyone at once in a conference room, all smiling and performing introductions. I dislike it with a passion, but I’ve got no choice but to bite the bullet. I settle into my professional mask.
I’m in a dark blue pantsuit with a black silk shirt and two-inch black pumps. Vanessa wrapped the ends of my cornrows on Friday, and I’ve managed to keep it intact till now. Never mind my sexy as fuck boyfriend thinking the wrap is in his way of nuzzling me or pulling me into him. I’ve kept my makeup light with tinted moisturizer, blush, and mascara. Stud earrings. No other jewelry.
As we walk, we get a few open stares. Ice walking behind me certainly draws attention. I hold my head high and follow. I’ve got this, I remind myself.
Mandy opens the door and five faces turn toward us. Julian gets up and comes to meet me.
He shakes my hand and lowers his voice. “I figured it was best you met everyone at once instead of going desk to desk. It might be overwhelming.”
“Thank you,” I mouth to him.
He turns to the team.
“Everyone, this is Lexi Doherty, our new Data Science Analyst.”
A friendly “Hi and welcome” greets me, along with warm smiles from the two women, but the men’s staring feels off-putting. It makes me feel like I have something out of place, which I don’t.
“Come on, have a seat.”
Ice and I move in to take our seats. “Ice is Lexi’s bodyguard,” he says, and I watch the myriad of expressions on their faces. I can’t tell if they’re okay with it or just shocked. Time will tell. “Can everyone go around the table and introduce themselves and what they do?”
They each start speaking. Tom is in sales and sounds cocky. Vivian is also in sales, and I catch a subtle competition between her and Tom. Patricia, who prefers Tricia, is in marketing, and Alan is in operations. They all report to Julian, who is the boss, and his family owns the company.
Julian talks about the data and how my breakdown will help them move in the right direction. He goes over onboarding and schedules for each team member who will assist me.
The door swings open and Declan walks in, smiling.
“Hi, Lexi. I see you made it,” he says cheerfully.
