“Carolyn, while I would have loved the chance to do that, I didn’t have much time to prepare. You all knew that I was going out of town for a much-needed vacation.”
“We did, but I also think that you prioritized it wrong, Kenni. You knew that you were up for promotion, and to leave town or go on vacation at a time like that doesn’t substantiate the qualities we were looking for in a leader to replace Milicent.”
I glanced from Carolyn to Milicent, and I couldn’t get a read on either of them.
“I would have loved to have been here to present my ideas to them, Carolyn. And while I understand that I won’t always have time and things will have to be done on the fly, I’ve made a great career out of doing just that these last few years. I have had to think on the fly for the Cole, Miner, Dior, and Valentino campaigns when Milicent was sick, injured, and had to leave town at the last minute to take care of her mother.
“I have done an amazing job of thinking on the fly and pulling this company out of a bind. If given the opportunity, I will continue to do that. But I will not continue sacrificing my life for the sake of this company without reward. No, scratch that. I will not sacrifice my life for this company. I will make this company a priority in my life, but I also need rest. And without those things, neither I nor anyone else can be at their best and give this magazine the top-tier service and dedication it needs. So, I’m sorry that I didn’t meet the board’s qualifications, but I don’t regret my decision not to be here yesterday.”
Milicent glanced at Caroline and declared, “I told you she’s got heart.”
Caroline smiled for the first time. “Kennedi, congratulations. The promotion is yours. Both the board and I voted for you.”
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. I was truly shocked. “Wait, . . . what? You took me through all of that for what?”
Carolyn laughed. “I wanted to see if you had what it took to stand up to me. If you can stand up to me, something Milicent has had to do on occasion, then I know that you can stand up for this magazine, and it warms my heart.”
They both stood and extended their hands. “Congratulations,” they stated.
I shook their hands and dropped back into my chair when they left. I picked up my cell phone and dialed Bryson, who wasn’t scheduled to be in court.
“Hello?”
“Where are you?”
“On the way to meet a new client. Why?”
“Do you want to go out to dinner this evening?”
“Sure, baby. Any particular reason?”
“I thought you deserved to be the first person to go out with the new fashion editor forBlack Glamour Magazine,” I squealed.
“Congratulations, baby! I knew that you had what it took to do it. I’m so damn proud of you.”
“Thank you, baby. I can’t wait to see you tonight.”
“Me either. I love you, Kenni.”
“I love you more, Bryse.”
For the first time in a long while, I felt like everything would be okay.
“Where are we, baby?”
“I thought you deserved to have a night out to celebrate yourself,” Bryson replied, helping me out of the car.
He blindfolded me no sooner than I got in the car at home after work. He’d bought me a red satin slip dress and beautiful heels to match. I had been so surprised to see it hanging in the closet after he had me shower and groom myself. Once he’d told me to get dressed, I found the dress hanging in my closet, where I could not miss it. He’d brought me an emerald necklace and emerald and diamond earrings.
“Watch your step, baby,” he warned.
We took a few steps before I heard a door open. Bryson led me into a cozy interior that was warm and redolent with the aroma of cinnamon and pumpkin spice. We walked for a while longer, and he greeted a few people.
I tried to use the sounds around me as clues but failed miserably. By the time that I was seated, he removed my blindfold. I was shocked to see that he had brought me to Lady Chablis, a five-star restaurant that took an act of congress to get into.
We were seated near an outdoor fireplace, and on the table was a large bouquet of red roses. A warm blanket was placed on the seat beside me, and he removed it to lay it on my lap.
“Thank you so much, Bryse. How did you get in here?”
