“I’m sure we will get along as well as I did with her identical twin.” Scott said. I scowled at him.
He knew the pumpkin thing was an accident, right?
Wait.
“Transition? What transition?” I came around the desk in front of Harry, keeping my back to Scott. “What are you talking about?”
He reached out, pulling me into a tight hug. “The merge went through ahead of schedule. I’m taking an early retirement!”
Harry had talked about the eventual merger for a while, but Ithought it was still a few years out. Harry motioned toward Scott, over my shoulder. “This is Scott Elliot, your new boss.”
I died inside a little. “Wait, you’re Scott Elliot, like from the Elliot Law firm in Clifton?” I’m so getting fired. “Wow . . .”
Scott nodded with no emotion.
“He’ll be running the place for the foreseeable future. The firm is now merged with his dad’s firm in Clifton.”
I let out a tight breath and covered my face with my hands. Perfect. Almost killed my boss, then I lied to him. Twice.
“Oh, don’t worry darling,” Harry rubbed my back. “His dad guaranteed your job. Besides, this city guy won’t get far here without you.” He gave my shoulders a soft squeeze.
“Clifton hardly counts as a city.” Scott rubbed his forehead.
Harry chuckled. “Well, compared to Hillsdale, it’s massive.” Harry nodded back at his office. “Lots to cover today. What’d you say happened to your eye again? Something about a pumpkin?” Harry tipped his head at me, and I felt myself turn an even darker shade of red.
“Hey Mar, would you order us lunch from Merritt’s later? We have a lot to go over.” Harry chuckled. “Sal was so excited. She already booked us a vacation at an all-inclusive resort.”
“You’re leaving town already?” Scott asked. The panic was clear in his voice, though his face showed no emotion.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll do just fine picking up where I left off. Your dad swears you’re a genius. Besides, Marissa knows everything that goes on around here.”
They headed into Harry’s office and closed the door behind them. I walked back to my seat in a haze and plopped down in my chair. I was going to die from embarrassment.
Would he still sue me? Was he going to tell everyone what happened with the pumpkins? It would be all around the town by lunch, then thegood-naturednicknames would start. Once you got a nickname in Hillsdale, it took years to clear it. I could already see it. “The Pumpkin Maimer” or maybe “Jack-O-Slammer.”
I grabbed my phone and opened the group text with Rose and Faith.
Marissa: Umm, you guys wanna guess who my new boss is?
I waited and saw three dots appear as Rose typed her reply.
Rose: Wait . . . WHAT . . . Did Harry sell the law firm?
Marissa: Merged apparently . . . this weekend. It’s been in the works for a bit but got expedited, I guess. New guy is here to take his place.
Rose: Oh guy, FUN. Is he hot?
Marissa: Yes, hot.
Rose: Single?
Marissa: Grumpy.
Although I didn’t blame him for it. He had lots of reasons to be grumpy. All those reasons pointed at me.
Rose:?
Faith: Wait, I just sent my kids out for recess and only have a few minutes before I need to prep my next lesson. What’s going on?
