"Go on and answer it, President Sterling. What if it's an important call!" Wendy Lawson, who was sitting next to Jessie Sterling, had already seen the caller ID on Jessie's screen and couldn't resist teasing her.
The others at the table, who didn't know what was going on, also chimed in.
"Yeah, what if it's something important? You should go take the call."
"We'll wait for you to start, don't worry."
Jessie Sterling listened to the well-meaning voices around her and the persistent ringing of her phone. In the end, she had no choice but to stand up. She gave everyone at the table an apologetic smile, then turned and walked outside to take the call.
The moment she stepped outside and answered, Victor Morgan's voice came through the phone.
"What's going on? Were you busy? Was it a bad time to call?"
Victor Morgan fired off three questions. Even though his voice didn't sound particularly urgent, the rapid-fire succession of questions said it all.
