I think about the way Rory smiled at me this morning in her sleep, peaceful and content. About how leaving her felt all kindsof wrong, about how I've spent the entire day trying not to think about her and failing spectacularly.
I make the call.
“Jane. I'm not feeling well. Cancel my afternoon.”
There's a long pause before she hesitantly queries, “You're...not feeling well, sir?”
I can hear the confusion in her voice. In the three years since being promoted to CFO, I've never called in sick. I’ve never cancelled a meeting without rescheduling it immediately. I’ve never deviated from the carefully structured routine that keeps everything running smoothly.
“That's what I said. Reschedule the New York call for Monday morning. Push the merger meeting to next Tuesday.” I pause, glancing at Rory, whose eyes have gone wide with surprise, bottom lip drawn between her teeth to suppress a smile. “And Jane? Excellent work on the Brennan contract. Very thorough.”
There's a beat of stunned silence. “I— Thank you, sir.” She pauses for a beat before I hear shuffling. “An email arrived from Harrington Helpers that you need to—”
“I’ll get to everything in the morning, Jane. Thank you.”
“Of…of course, sir. I’ll leave everything on your desk. Feel better.”
I hang up before she can question my uncharacteristic praise or apparent illness.
My phone buzzes before I can slip it back into my pocket. Then again. And again.
REED: Jane just texted me. You're SICK?
JACE: Cole Adams called in sick.
JACE: Everyone. Remain. Calm.
REED: Check the sky for flying pigs.
JACE: Check hell for ice skating.
REED: You literally NEVER call in sick. Are you dying? Should we plan your funeral?
JACE: I'll wear black. Very sombre. Won't even make it about me #yourewelcome
REED: Liar. You'll absolutely make it about you.
JACE: I’m kind of epic.
COLE: I'm fine. Just needed an afternoon off.
REED: Yeah, cause that makes sense.
JACE: Bollocks, mate.
REED: He needed an afternoon off?
JACE: It’s HER! Don’t lie to us. We’re your mates.
REED: Oh my God it IS.
JACE: Are you seeing her again?
REED: Cole Adams is DITCHING WORK for a woman.
JACE: This is the best day of my life.
REED: Better than when you scored the winning goal at Wembley?
