“Cole presented it.” Anita frowned.
“Because he’s the stronger presenter,” I said. “We agreed he should bring it forward.”
“Regardless,” Ned said, “we need only one CEO, and Cole is the more dynamic executive. We need someone youthful with innovative ideas.”
“I didn’t get it because I’mold?I’m only forty-three!”
“It’s not your age. It’s your lack of creativity and adventure,” Ned said.
“I took the executives to Costa Rica for a goddamn adventure!” I slapped my hand on the table. It stung. “Stan, you were there. We were inspired. Connected. Fucking energized!”
“Language, Bridget,” Stan said. “I gave the board a full report on the retreat.”
“Fun and games don’t push a company to the top.” Ned glanced at his watch. “Inspiring leadership does.”
“I’m inspiring!” I argued. “I had lunch with some associates today, and they love me.” Yet, one look at their stony expressions confirmed Ned, Stan, and even Anita didn’t feel the same as those young programmers. I switched tactics. “If…if I’m not g-good enough for CEO, can’t I go back to COO? I did excellent work there.”
“We have a COO,” Anita said. “You hired Gina yourself.”
Goddamn my efficiency. “Is there anything I can do to change your minds?”
“The decision is final,” Ned said. “Stan has some papers we need you to sign.”
Stan anchored a folder to the table with two fingers. As he stood and walked toward me, he towed the folder beside him across the wood grain of the table. He stopped and slid the folder in front of me, then shut the lid of my laptop and picked it up.
I didn’t open the folder. I’d been party to too many of these conversations over my fifteen years in management. Stan’s job was to get me to sign away my rights, and my job was not to sign anything. “My lawyer will review these.”
His mouth tightened. But since he’d sat in most of those meetings with me, he knew what I’d say. “All right. We’ll need them back, signed, in three days.”
The first rule in these situations was to instill a sense of urgency. I wouldn’t fall for it. “I’ll see what I can do. Anything else?”
“We’d like you to leave right away to avoid any unpleasantness,” Anita said. “We’ll have your personal effects packed up and delivered to your home.”
I’d been holding strong through this excruciating conversation, but my control slipped. My lip trembled. Theywere walking me out as if I’d done something wrong. Like I’d make a scene or destroy something on my way out. After twenty years at this company, they were treating me like a criminal. I sniffed back the tears into their burning ducts. The worst thing I could do was show weakness.
Standing, I scooped up the folder. “Thank you,” I murmured, opening the door. What was I thanking them for? They’d stripped me of my job, my income, and my dignity, all in less than fifteen minutes.
With my head down, I almost ran into Cole’s broad chest just outside the conference room. He grasped my biceps. “What happened?”
“F-fired.” It was the only word I could gasp out through my paralyzed lungs.
“What? What happened? Ned, what the hell?”
“Lower your voice,” Ned hissed, emerging from the room.
“I won’t,” Cole continued at full volume, “until someone tells me what thehellis going on.”
A sob was working its way out of my chest, and soon everyone—Cole, Ned, Anita, Stan, and every admin within earshot—would hear. I took a quick step around Cole so I could exit without humiliating myself.
He was too fast. His heavy arm shot out and captured me, pulling me to his side. We’d never stood this way in public, and rather than feeling protected, I felt exposed.
“We’d hoped to tell you in a more positive setting,” Ned said. “Congratulations, Cole. You’re the new CEO.”
“Weare.” He squeezed my shoulders. Damn his forceful grip. If he weren’t so buff, I’d have slipped out and already been at the elevator bank.
“No,” Ned said. “You’re the sole CEO. Just like we discussed.”
“What?”I flailed out of his embrace. He’d talked with Ned? After all that bullshit about love, he’d been working behind my back. He hadn’t changed at all. He was the same asshole who’d barged into the officeIdeserved. “You knew?”
