“That’s not really what we meant,” Carly said. “If you care about him, you can overcome?—”
“Stop.” I didn’t want to hear the rest or reflect on my feelings. I especially didn’t want to talk about my error in judgment that would keep me out of the CEO’s office, possibly forever, and might prevent me from getting any other respectable job. Everyone would treat me like a pariah at the next foundation event. “You’re right. I can overcome any feelings I might have had. Thank you all for your help. I’m going to be okay.” The lie was bitter on my tongue. I stood and picked up my purse.
“Wait, you’re leaving?” Tessa glared at me, her green eyes seeing to where the tears pushed against the dam I’d erected in mine. “Don’t go.”
“I need to think.” Those damned tears cracked my voice.
Tessa pressed her lips together. “If you need anything…”
“Or if you change your mind about me and my brothers having a conversation with this guy…” Danny cracked his knuckles.
“You know where to find us,” Lucie said.
“I do.” My smile wobbled as I looked around the circle of my friends. “Thank you.” Then I rushed outside to the safety of my car.
38
STUCK IN A SCENE FROM DIE HARD
What you’re most proud of?
Cole:Right now? Nothing.
COLE
Iscanned my desk. Her desk.Thedesk? Regardless, it was empty of both our things. Finley had packed away Bridget’s things yesterday while Ned talked at me, saying words I couldn’t hear through the numbness.
But I wasn’t numb today. I saw with new clarity. My world had crisp edges like ice crystals. Even my breath was sharp, like when I used to trudge across Harvard Yard in the first few days of term in January.
Bridget had collected a lot of things over her eighteen years at Apex: awards of every type, from simple framed certificates to a towering crystal trophy; souvenirs, or more likely gifts from employees and partners from around the world; and framed photographs of her with employees, some of whom I recognized, like Gina and Finley, and others who were probably long gone.I’d tried to call her, not only to see that she was okay and apologize but to see if she wanted everything from her office, but she hadn’t answered my dozens of texts and phone calls. So Finley had packed up everything. There had been so many crates that I, as the CEO, had to approve the expense of delivery to her condo.
I’d been here only one year, and all my belongings fit into a carton that I’d be able to carry out myself. I glanced around the corner office one last time. Only one task remained.
I’d worked my ass off to get here, but it meant nothing without Bridget. I walked to the office door and opened it. “Finley, get Anita Lu and Ned Stone on the phone. Video, if you can swing it.”
Their eyes widened. “Now?”
“Right now.”
“It’s…it’s the day before Christmas Eve. What if they’re not available?”
“Then I’ll send an email. But I’d prefer to speak with them, if possible.”
“Okay.” They tapped furiously on their keyboard, muttering under their breath. After a couple of minutes, they said, “We lucked out. I’ve got them both ready to go. I’ll send them to your screen.”
“Great.” I closed the door and walked back to the desk. I sat down as my computer pinged.
When I clicked the Accept Call button, my screen split into two windows. Ned’s face appeared on the left, and Anita was on the right. Neither looked happy to see me after flying home on the red-eye.
“What’s happening? Is there an emergency?” Anita asked.
“No emergency. Everything’s fine with the company. But I have a bit of urgent news to share.” I took a deep breath. “I quit.”
Ned’s jaw dropped. “You can’t quit.”
“I just did. Effective immediately.” I could already breathe easier now that I’d said it.
“We gave you the jobyesterday,”Anita said. “We don’t have a succession plan in place.”
