Tied Together (The Cade Siblings Duology #1)

3. Alana

CHAPTER 3

Alana

Heather waltzes into the room with incredible grace. She’s wearing a white pantsuit and her silver hair is curled and gathered atop her head. Gold teardrops hang from her ears and glitter in the fluorescent lighting of the conference room.

“Hi Alex, Alana,” Heather greets us both.

She isn’t cold, but she certainly isn’t warm. She has this air about her that demands attention and respect, but I know she genuinely cares about each and every member on the Impress staff, and that’s hard to find in this industry.

“Good morning,” we say in unison, before glancing at each other with a quick grin.

The bittersweet taste of the chocolate he brought me today lingers in my mouth like a reminder of his care. He is always trying to take care of me, but I rarely let him. The chocolates and Diet Coke each morning are just about the only way I’ve felt comfortable allowing him to do anything for me.

Yes, Diet Coke in the morning. Sue me.

Since breaking up with Brad and deciding to learn what makes me happy, I have become extremely independent and focused on work. To a fault, my therapist would argue, but that’s a problem for another day.

I moved into my own apartment in the same building as Cami and have learned how to take care of myself and do it well. Despite Dr. Rodriguez’s encouragement to allow others in, I’ve decided I’m happy and safe in my little bubble of me. I know I can count on myself to keep my promises and if I don’t open up to anyone else, then I can’t be let down.

Ian, Heather, Alex and I are all sitting at the large conference table and the view would be comical to an onlooker. This room is made for large meetings, so the four of us are sitting at a table built for twenty. Alex and I sit at one end, down by the large monitor we present on, and Heather and Ian are at the other end.

This all feels very formal, which is common any time Heather joins us, but the ambiguity surrounding this meeting is putting me on edge.

I’ve done a lot of work in the last year to rebuild my confidence and recognize my worth and value, but even the most secure people have insecure thoughts. Mine tend to creep in more often than not, but progress over perfection, right?

I know the value I bring to this magazine, and yet I can’t stop the thoughts from flooding my brain.

Am I even qualified for this job?

Am I getting fired before I can move up in this company?

Am I even worthy of a promotion?

They must think I haven’t been performing up to standard.

I doubt anyone here besides Cami even likes me.

Ian announced a few months ago that he would be moving to California because his husband landed his first acting role. We all met Adrian at last year’s Christmas party and he pops in every now and again to bring Ian lunch or drop off a treat for the staff. He is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, so even though I was sad to lose Ian I was thrilled for Adrian.

Ian leaving means Heather and the CEO will be looking at the section editors and scouting candidates to move up into his role. As the managing director of the magazine, Ian makes sure all of the sections flow together and the overall magazine is cohesive. It’s a big promotion, and one that I am working hard towards. They haven’t said so, but I have a feeling Alex and I are top contenders.

My parents were never thrilled at the prospect of me working for a fashion magazine. They saw it as frivolous and said it wasn’t a real career . I don’t speak to them often anymore, but the desire to earn their approval still burns deep within me. No matter how much I try to tamp it down, I never can fully douse it.

My older brother Charlie was the golden boy in our household. He grew up playing hockey and our parents gushed to everyone we met about their little hockey star. I was shoved behind their legs while he was pushed forward and presented as their most prized possession. When he landed a position on the New York Rangers as a winger, the comparison game only got more intense.

I’m thankful Charlie and I’s relationship was not one of competition, though. He saw through our parents’ games and tried his best to get them to notice me and my accomplishments. He was rarely successful, but that’s okay. All I needed was him.

Heather’s voice snaps me back to the conference room.

“I’m sure you’re both wondering why we’ve called you into a more formal meeting.”