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I stare at hi for the anxiety to creep back in because I' an easy fix

But it doesn't, because he's right

I need to do this

Instead, I give him an eyebrow raised look of awe and shake et to be so smart?"

"Years of practice, my dear," he says as he transfers the cut-up pasta to the plastic table of Jairab a small plate and pull so his up because he's a big boy who has --somewhat--with a fork I set it down in front of hi sound, but I slide the spaghetti under his nose and he's adequately redirected, as it's also his favorite meal

When I sit down next to Randall, he hands me a plate We're silent aand patting my mouth with a napkin, I set my fork down and level my eyes on him "Randall thank you"

He glances up, sment It's a confident dip of his head to me, and it says all I need to know

Chapter 6

Zach

The soft knock onto the VP of Merchandising, Molly Tabanera She's been with Cannon's for nineteen years, runs Merchandising with an iron fist, and butts heads with le day Sucks, too, because she knows her shit and I learn fro to listen to new ideas Randall thinks it's hilarious and only says, "I've been battling with her for years too Suck it up, my boy"

Lila stands just insidein Atlanta, and Lila see a fitted blue turtleneck, whichher breasts are, a wide, black belt, and a slender, black skirt that comes to her knees But because it's just crisp and not cold, her long legs are bare and the ated because of black heels that have to be five-inches high Her hair andtohabits, and yet, I spare it just a cursory glance Moira in a terry robe, wild, red hair allin her face still hotter than that any day

"What's up?" I ask as I turn back to my email

Molly,

While I appreciate your points about the increase to profit ins, I still believe we need to conduct some market research to quantify--

"schedule some time today with you to discuss the analytics profile you requested to be compiled on--"

My brain disengages immediately from my email

Schedule some time?

"I'aze snaps up to Lila

"I want to know if I can actually schedule some time on your calendar to discuss with you that analytics profile--"

"Shit," I mutter as I push back fro across the plastic mat beneath

Schedule so time!

"I'm sorry?" Lila says in confusion

I give her an apologetic look, hopefully ht now that she just helped to conjure by her innocent words "It's not you," I assure her "You just re"

"Oh, okay," she says and looks at me expectantly, because she's always ready to help

"I need to make a call," I tell her diso ahead block us out soo over the profile with you"

"Okay, will do," she says with a relieved s for this call you have to make?"

"Nope," I tell her as I grabon the desk "Just close the door on your way out"