If you’d like to read Valor, part 1, you can find it here. Now for part two…
***
Savannah was half-way through her first day on the job. She’d been shadowing Pamela, who worked in acquisitions. She’d learned about how Valor Enterprises raised outside funds to help support its philanthropic endeavors. She’d sat through numerous phone calls and observed countless emails being sent. Observing and listening. Over and over and over again.
She took a deep breath as she sank into a chair at one of the tables in the break room. Her lunch was a jelly sandwich because she hadn’t wanted to go around with peanut butter breath the rest of the day, and she’d been out of breath mints. Not only did she want to work at Valor, but she also really needed the job.
Savannah was two bites into her sandwich when someone dropped into the seat opposite her. He had a take-out bag in-hand and began pulling food out. “I ordered too much. You want some? Sweet and sour chicken, dumplings, egg rolls, rice…” He lifted his eyes expectantly and stared at her.
“Um… Me?”
His bright blue eyes smiled. “Well, I wasn’t talking to my imaginary friend.”
“I…uh…” Taking food from a stranger was weird, right?
“It’s your first day, right?”
She nodded, mute.
He tipped his chin toward her jelly sandwich. “That’s not enough to get you through the day. Come on. Pick something. I haven’t opened anything yet. You can have your pick.”
“Rice, I guess?”
He chuckled and shoved a little food carton over to her along with a round black plastic dish with a lid. “Fried rice and steamed dumplings. Eat up.”
She was a sucker for a good dumpling. Not that she could afford to eat out much on her budget. Dumplings, though… Yum. And she was at work. The guy was probably harmless. “Thanks.”
When she didn’t immediately dig in, he lifted an eyebrow. “Everything okay?”
“I’m trying to decide if someone can roofie Chinese food.” Oops. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
He threw his head back and laughed. When he was done laughing, he went to a cupboard and retrieved a couple of paper plates. “Here. What if we divvy it up? If I eat half, will you feel better about it?”
The lengths she was willing to go for dumplings… “Sure. Yeah.”
He handed her a plate and a plastic fork. “Ladies first. And for the record, I have no idea if you can roofie Chinese food. I’m not sure if that’s information I want to have, either.”
She chuckled as she scooped rice onto her plate, followed by some mouth-watering dumplings. “Thank you for sharing.”
“No problem. You mind if I pray before we eat?”
She nodded. “I’d like that.”
He bowed his head, gave thanks to God, and then nodded to her. “So what do you think of Valor Enterprises so far?”
Dumpling halfway to her mouth, Savannah paused to answer. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“What department do they have you in today?”
“Acquisitions.” She shoved the dumpling in her mouth before he could ask her anything else.
“Ah. That’s probably a little boring for a first day.”
“Mmm.”
His eyes did that smiling thing again, all blue and sparkly and pretty. Yep. He had pretty eyes. Manly and pretty. It could happen. “Onboarding is two weeks, right?”
She nodded, diving in for another dumpling. She probably wouldn’t have time to eat the dumplings and the rice. Priorities.
“Name’s Marcus, by the way.”
She wiped her hands on a napkin and held one out to him. “Savannah. And sorry. I’m easily distracted by good food.”
He shook her hand, and a little jolt of shot up to her elbow. Could you generate static electricity by eating?
“What do you think of Valor Enterprises so far?”
“It’s a lot to take in. A little overwhelming. But there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
She’d just finished off the last of the dumplings on her plate and managed to shovel two forkfuls of fried rice into her mouth when Pamela popped her head around the door. “Hey, Savannah. I have a conference call I want you to sit in on. Can you be back at my desk in ten?”
She nodded to the woman. “On my way.”
Marcus watched her as she threw her half-full plate away and wiped down her spot at the table. “I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.”
She gave him a smile – maybe the first genuine one she’d handed out since he sat down at the table wit her. “Sorry I didn’t eat everything. I don’t mean to be…”
He waved her off. “Don’t stress over it. There are more important things in the world than leftover fried rice.”
“Still. Thank you for sharing with me.”
His eyes were thoughtful as they assessed her. “It’s no problem, Savannah.”
The way he said her name… It was like it meant something. Like it had depth and breadth. And she had no idea what to say in return, so she nodded before heading out the door.
Thanks for posting Part II! I enjoyed reading it.
Enjoying it so far, looking forward to the next part. Thanks :)
Oh, I need more!! Are you going to put the next ones in your newsletter? He shook her hand, and a little jolt of shot up to her elbow. A jolt of???????
I’m glad you could stop by today, Lori!
Thank you, Dianne! Have a wonderful weekend!
Ohh. That’s a good idea! I’m trying to wrap this one up in three parts, though. (My last “short story” ended up taking a whole year to post on Inspy Romance. I’m trying to learn from that…) And ha – good catch on the missing word! This is why I love editors so much! ^_^
I am really into reading this story. I can’t wait for part 3.
Good morning, I am loving your story, Thank you for sharing it with us. Looking forward to the next part. Have a great weekend.
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Looking forward to more.
Ohhh, I am so intrigued by the story!
I’m really enjoying this! Looking forward to part 3, thank you for sharing.
You too :)
This makes me want to read more!
Love it so far♥️Thank you!!!
That is fabulous. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
interesting
Wow, you’re good! ;) I’m definitely hooked.
Is it still going to be a three-part series? Just curious. I’m here for all of them. :)
Thanks for posting! I’m enjoying this story and looking forward to the next (final???) installment!
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing!
I remember the last one! It was good 😊 and long 🙃
How exciting! Thanks
Quite intriguing… :D
I’m really enjoying this story. Thanks for sharing!
Valor is much needed!
I’m so glad you could stop by, Audrey! Thank you!
Thank you, Alicia! Same to you! :-)
I’m glad you could stop by the blog, Bonnie!
Yay! That’s what I love to hear!
Thank you, Ruthie!! Part 3 will be here in April… It’s a wee bit on the long side. I need to edit it down a tad bit. ^_^
Music to my ears!
Yay! Thank you, Joannie!!
Thank you for visiting the blog, Debra!! I’m glad you’re enjoying the story.
Thank you for stopping by the blog!!
Definitely 3 parts. But part 3 is a teeny tiny bit very long. But I’m keeping my word…so 3 parts. I’m sure it’s nothing a little editing can’t fix. (When I edit, though, things tend to get longer, not shorter.) ^_^
Yes! The next one will be the last one. I’m glad you’re looking forward to it!
Thank you for making time for Inspy Romance, Cherie!!
Hahahaha!!!!! Long is an understatement. ^_^
I’m glad you could stop by the blog, Laurie! Have a wonderful day!
Woohoo! That sounds promising. ^_^
Yes!! So needed. I like how the story’s turning out. I hope you enjoy the conclusion!
Yay, Megan! It makes me happy that you’re enjoying it! Thank you for letting me know!