Page 16 of The Rebel

Well, she’d picked me, so I wasn’t going to complain.

“I went to Cornell. Then I worked in Chicago until this summer, when I came here to do a summer course in digital marketing at Loyola. I felt the need for a change.”

“And then you decided to stay?”

“Only because I got offered a position at the beverage firm.”

“Was that at Thornton’s?” he asked. There weren’t too many big companies around, so it was pretty obvious which one.

“Yes, that’s it.”

“I’m sorry it didn’t work out.”

“It was a blow for sure, but this is a great opportunity. I’ve never been involved in the music industry.”

“It’s a very dynamic one. You like to look at things in a positive light?”

“Always. What’s the point in viewing everything through a negative lens? Just makes life more difficult.”

“I agree with that.”

Well, well. Something we agreed upon. We were making progress.

“You’ve always run this branch of The Orleans Conglomerate? I couldn’t find much more on the internet except who’s running what nowadays.” I looked at Anthony intently even though it was a dangerous thing to do because his profile was unbelievably sexy. He reminded me of a movie star, although I couldn’t quite remember who. The chiseled jaw, the high cheekbones, and the straight nose were picture-perfect.

“Yes, always. I knew what I wanted to do since I was a teen. Music has always been a big part of my life.”

“Is jazz your favorite?” I asked him, just because there were a lot of clubs that offered the genre down here.

“I really like it all. Jazz is my favorite, but I also enjoy classic rock. Give me a Led Zeppelin song any day.”

We both laughed at that. Then he asked, “You?”

“I’m a country gal.”

“Good to know.”

“And you’ve always known that you’re going to stay with The Orleans Conglomerate?”

Usually, I’d never ask my boss something so personal, but since he’d done the same to me, why not? The way I saw it, we were just exchanging information.

Liar, liar, pants on fire.

“Yes, there was absolutely no doubt in my mind. My dad and grandparents worked in various capacities in the company growing up, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps.”

“I think my dad hoped I’d do the same,” I mentioned.

“Was he supportive when you told him that you had other plans?”

“Yes. I’m very lucky. My parents are always supportive. They were ecstatic when I got a scholarship for Cornell and then later my first job in Chicago. I think they hoped that after a few years of living in a big city, I’d return home. Only that never happened.”

“We all must find our own way,” he said as he pulled the car into a parking spot.

“The drive didn’t take long at all.”

“There’s no traffic at this time of day. It’s madness in the afternoon, though.”

He turned to me. “All right. Before we get out of the car…”