“Is everything okay?” he asked, looking over his shoulder.
We had been prepared to leave for the hayride that would take us around the property while getting a history of the property. I had been excited to go, but my phone rang just as we were preparing to leave.
“Yeah. This is work,” I muttered as I saw Angelique from HR calling.
He frowned at me and walked back inside. I answered the call as Bryson sat on the couch. I felt his eyes on me as I paced away to the kitchen.
“Hi, Angie. Is everything okay?” I greeted her by the nickname we all called her.
“No, it’s not. Where have you been? I’ve been calling you.”
“I’m on vacation. What’s going on?”
“I wanted to inform you that they will be voting on Milicent’s replacement tomorrow. She asked that I call you and let you know. Your attendance isn’t mandatory, but it is strongly encouraged that you be present when they vote. There are three candidates up, and they’re doing something they’ve never done before.”
My stomach twisted in a knot as I thought about that. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to show my face around the company before they voted, but I was out on vacation, and Caroline knew that.
“What is that?”
“They’re giving each of the candidates an opportunity to do a presentation before they vote on Milicent’s replacement.”
“Why am I just hearing about this now?”
“Kennedi, I have called you every day since Friday afternoon when I was first advised of the decision. I have left you several voicemails and text messages, and you haven’t returned any of them. I kept calling each day in hopes that I would get through to you. I wasn’t certain if you decided to turn your phone off while you were on vacation or not, but I wasn’t giving up on you, because you’re my preferred candidate. Obviously, I don’t get a vote, but I wanted to make sure that you had every opportunity to put your best foot forward.”
“I haven’t gotten a single voicemail or text message, Angie.”
“Well, I’m sorry. I’m not sure why not. You may not have had good service wherever you’re at, but I’m letting you know that you need to be here in the morning.”
“In the morning? Not the afternoon when they usually meet?”
“Unfortunately not. One of the board members has an urgent appointment scheduled for later, so they requested the meeting be moved up.”
I pressed my hand against my temple as I felt my head beginning to pound. This was stressful at best. I wanted the promotion so badly, but it seemed like I wasn’t going to be in the running simply because I couldn’t make it there.
I turned back and looked over my shoulder at Bryson, who was watching me closely. I couldn’t get a read on him, and I wasn’t certain what he was thinking or feeling.
“And you think that my best shot at getting that promotion is to be there in the morning?”
“I do. You can make your presentation that way and leave them astounded. Remove any doubt that they may have about why you deserve to be the next fashion editor.”
“As tempting as that may sound, Angie, I’m sorry. I won’t make it to the meeting tomorrow. I’m on vacation, and I’m putting some boundaries in place.”
“You’re making a big mistake, honey.”
“If they don’t promote me because I refused to come off vacation to impress them, then I don’t need to be in that position anyway, Angie. If I don’t get promoted because of that, then maybe this isn’t the company for me.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am. I hope that they’ll vote for me, but if they don’t, then . . . maybe it’s time that I cast my net elsewhere.”
“Okay. Well, I called and told you. I’ve done my due diligence. I wish you the best of luck. Honey, go ahead and enjoy the remainder of your vacation.”
“Thanks, Angie. I will.”
I ended the call and walked back to Bryson.
“What’s going on?”
