She started walking again, angling closer to the water until foam curled around her feet. “We’re not amazing at work. We fight all the time. You thought this retreat was a terrible idea. Though…” She frowned. “As it turned out, it wasn’t so great. We both missed Thanksgiving with our families.”
“I’m not sorry.”
“Really?” She dipped her chin.
“It gave me a chance to get to know you. After this, we’re going to be more in sync at work. Like those guys.” I pointed at a flock of pelicans swooping over the waves. They danced in the wind like ballerinas, skimming over the water, then banking and climbing until they dove simultaneously.
“You won’t fight me on every decision?”
I hadn’t fought her oneverydecision, had I? “Now that I understand you better, I’ll know what you’re trying to achieve and can propose a solution that gets us both what we want and benefits the company.” I held out my hand, palm up.
She hesitated. “You’re impulsive and…and merciless.”
“Maybe in bed,” I joked. When she didn’t smile, I said, “Wait. You’re serious?”
“You fired Vance, Lenny, and Nasir your first week at the company to make a point.”
“To make a point? You seriously think that poorly of me?” I let my hand drop to my side. “You don’t trust me, and I guess that’s fair, but I’m not the monster you think I am.” Starting to walk again, I said, “I fired them because they were creating a hostile work environment.” Briefly, I told her about their sexist comments over dinner at the offsite.
She blinked her eyes wide. “Really? They always seemed…fine.”
As she thought about it, I watched her expression change from puzzlement to anger to resignation. “I guess they had a vibe, especially Vance and Lenny. But they never said anything misogynistic to me.”
“Didn’t they? Or did they, and you ignored it because you hear shit like that all the time? Like how Stan made only you go to that anger management course?”
Her lips twitched to the side. “Noticed that, did you?”
Something twinged in my chest. “I should’ve said something when he did it.”
“But it benefited you, so you didn’t.”
Shame. That was what had gotten out its tiny knife and was carving its signature on my lungs. “Yes. I’m sorry, Bridget.”
She planted her feet in the sand, and the wind whipped her ponytail around her head. “I wouldn’t change a thing about my career so far. I’ve learned so much and had so manyopportunities to grow, but I’ve also had a lot of experiences that weren’t great. Being told I was too aggressive when I asked for what I wanted, or shrill when I complained, or not dynamic enough when I sat back and listened. A lot of women my age and older have gotten too used to those types of comments. Many of them gave up. I was too stubborn to stop. I kept going despite the obstacles. It meant I had to ignore some of the blatant sexism I experienced.”
“Like when you deserved a promotion to CEO, and they made you share it with me.”
She pursed her lips. “I guess you deserve it too.”
“Only with you beside me.”
She narrowed her eyes as if she were trying to read the intent behind what I’d said. “Seriously?”
“I mean it.” I needed her social intelligence, her imagination, her passion. Her skills complemented my intensity and analysis.
“Are you for real?” She tapped her lips with her fingertips.
“I only say what’s true, Bridget. I’ve never wanted to share control of anything. But now I see we’re better together.” I stepped closer until only a couple of inches separated our bodies. When she tipped back her head to look into my eyes, I landed my fingers on her jaw. “We could be so good.”
She closed her eyes and leaned into my hand. In a moment, she’d surrender, and I’d finally get that kiss we’d both been aching for.
Her eyes flew open, and she took two steps back toward the water. “Jesus, I almost fell for it!” She whirled around until her back was to me, and she rested her hands on her head.
With three steps, I was between her and the waves. Water swirled around my ankles and sucked at my toes. I didn’t touch her. “Fell for what?”
“You! For the bullshit you’re shoveling. You don’t want me. You want what I can give you. My connections. My skills. You’re trying to Nigerian-prince me!”
“I’m…what?” She’d broken my brain. Or something else. I rubbed the twinge under my breastbone.
