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chimes in with their disbelief about my age. The thing is, I’ve gotten used to it; I hear it like a broken record over and over again, so much that I cringe every time age becomes a subject in any group conversation. “So and so, how do old do you think Jade is? Jade, tell them how old you are!” You’d think it’s a good thing, but more often than not, human nature’s propensity for envy and competition makes it more of a bothersome attribute, particularly in a world where men still rule the workplace. Not only am I the illustrious “woman in a man’s world,” I’m apparently a youthful-looking one to boot.
    Later on in the afternoon, I lead them back into the conference room which will be their home for the next two weeks. Roughly fifty binders are spread out on the table, all full of documents that need to be reviewed together before putting the merger plan in place.
    “Make yourselves comfortable in here, gentlemen. Feel free to use the phone and all the other facilities and equipment while you’re here. I’m only two doors away, so please let me know if there’s anything you need from me. I assume you’ll be looking everything over and asking me questions as we go along?”
    “That’s the plan,” Lucas responds.
    I nod my head before turning around to walk back to my office.
    “Jade?” At this point, I still don’t recognize whose voice it is that calls to me.
    I swing back towards the table, where they’ve now chosen their places, two seats apart, both with their backs to the glass wall. Lucas stands up and starts leading me towards the door.
    “Is it okay if I get your cell phone number in case you’re out of the building and I need to ask you a question?”
    “Of course,” I say, “Is your cell number on the card that you gave me?”
    “Yes it is. Use the one that ends in 03.”
    “Let me program it on my phone and I’ll send you a text.”
    “Sounds good, thank you.”
    I address both men as I reach out my hand to shake theirs. “Welcome again. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
    A few hours later, I’m still thinking about him. I stare blankly at my phone for a few minutes before making the move that I somehow know is going to change my life. I’m like a high school girl with a silly crush, the only difference being that this girl is a 42-year-old woman and the boy is a much younger man.
    I send him a text message.
     
    Jade: Hi. It’s Jade. Just wanted to let you know that I’ve left for the day. Have a good evening.
     
    The phone dings back immediately.
     
    Lucas: Thanks for letting us know. Goodnight, Jade.

 
     
    I ARRIVE AT the office early the next day to prep for an all-day learning session about the new financial system our company is about to implement. No one is at the office when I arrive at 7:00 am, not even Noelle. I luxuriate in the silence of the before and after hours, when my mind is clear and unencumbered by the crazy events of each workday. With my door closed, I sift through my desk and search for the necessary files for review before the meeting. My mind is so filled with thoughts about the day’s presentation that at first I forget about our foreign visitors in the conference room next to me. Noelle reminds me about them with a phone call at 9:00 am to ask me whether we should be catering lunch for our guests. I instruct her to go ahead and arrange for their meals while they’re here and drop by the conference room on the way to my meeting.
    “Good morning! How are you?” I greet, addressing Leigh, too shy to look in Lucas’ direction. All I notice is that he’s wearing slim dress pants that highlight his strong, long legs.
    “Good morning, Jade,” Leigh answers while Lucas looks up from a blueberry muffin.
    “I’m in a full day meeting, but please email or text if you need me. Noelle has you set for meals for the duration of your stay. I assume you’ll just continue reviewing the documents in the binders?”
    “Yes, that’s what we intend to