#Chapter 53: She’s better on your side

Fiona “There she is,” Conrad said, a broad, toothy grin on his face as he rounded the corner into my office. “My superstar.” I squinted at my boss, looking for a trace of sarcasm on his face. But he seemed to be acting genuinely. I didn’t reply, waiting for an explanation for this sudden effusion of praise and suspicious cheerfulness. “I just got off the phone with the escrow company.” Conrad sat across from me at my desk. It felt odd. He had never sat down in here before, and his large frame looked out of place in a chair designated for visitors. “I don’t know how you pushed that paperwork through so quickly, but it’s already been approved, and we are ready to break ground on the first site next week.” My usually well-controlled professional demeanor faltered for a minute, a huge smile breaking across my face. “Really? I tried to pressure them into moving up the close date, but I didn’t actually think they’d give me the first date that I asked for.” Conrad pressed his fin