“A job I’m far too ‘sweet’ and ‘kind’ to take—do I have that right? Too ‘caring’ to put my career aboveyours?”
“It’s a compliment, for Christ’s sake. I’m trying to say you’re not the kind of person to fuck me over likethat.”
In other words,someone like mewould never put herself first. I’d heard some version of that before. “I’m too much of a doormat is what youmean.”
“Oh, god.” He ran both hands over his face. “Not even remotely what Isaid.”
I easily tugged the top sheet free of the mattress since it’d come untucked during last night’s activities. Bruno jerked, jumped off the bed, and ambled away, most likely to the kitchen since it was breakfast time. “You didn’t have to say it,” I said. “I can read between thelines.”
“Let’s keep a little perspective here, shall we? You wouldn’t even be atModern Manif it wasn’t for my fuck-up.”
“Right, so why’s it so surprising that I’d be the right person for thejob?”
“Becauseit’s not yours. You didn’t kiss ass and bust ass just for a chance at an internship. You weren’t there from day one when the whole operation was an organizational disaster. You didn’t spend countless late nights over several years to bring it back from the brink.” His knuckles had whitened from balling his hands. “You did a good job of getting us back on track, I admit, but you don’t have what it takes to weather the long-term.”
I pulled back. After the last couple months, did he honestly think that? “I don’t have what ittakes?”
“No, because you don’tknowwhat it takes. I built our readership from the groundup.”
“And then you jeopardizedit.”
His jaw ticked. “Do you think I need that pointed out to meeverydamnday, or do you just enjoy holding it overme?”
“I didn’t bring this up to debate who would be better at the job. I wanted to be honest with you.” I stood and wrapped the sheet around my waist. “I’m going out on a limb and putting my reputation on the line to prepare you for what’scoming.”
“Oh, then I suppose I should thank you.Thank youfor diminishing the work I’ve done so you can feel good about being offered a job you’re not qualified todo.”
I winced and immediately wished I hadn’t shown how much his opinion meant to me. “Do you think I stumbled into your office by accident?” I asked. “I’ve done my homework. I studied the mistakes you made, researched what failed, and came to you with solutions—solutions thatworked. Subscription rates are finally starting to rise. The female demographic is growing. College educated, high-income readers that we lost are returning. Don’t you dare tell me I don’t know what I’mdoing.”
“You’re good atyourjob,” he said steadily. “But no way in hell are you the best person for mine.Iam.” He paused, his expression cooling. “Wait. Are you trying to tell me you’re actually consideringit?”
“That’s not the point.” I started to pick up the sheet to storm off, but apparently I had more to say. “You just assumed I wouldn’t take it and never considered what this could mean for mycareer.”
“Yourcareer? What about mine?” He pushed off the dresser and gestured behind him. “This is my job, and you wouldn’t just take it. It’s not who youare.”
Who exactly did he think I was? Because it was starting to feel as if he saw me the way Neal had.Weak. Agreeable. Pushover. “A job you said was no longerfulfilling.”
He studied me, shaking his head. “Is this why you were encouraging me to reconsider going to Boston? So you wouldn’t feel guilty accepting Vance’soffer?”
I gaped at him. What a slap in the face after the way I’d been nothing but supportive while he’d finally shared his background with me. “Of course not. I was trying to help.Yousaid you were feelingcomplacent.”
“Great,” he said wryly, stooping to pick up the pillow I’d thrown earlier. He tossed it on the bed. “Now you’re going to use my fucking words againstme.”
“I’m just pointing out that maybe leavingModern Manwouldn’t be such a badthing.”
“Well, that’s convenient, isn’t it?” He grabbed my dress off the floor next. “I’m starting to regret that I opened up toyou.”
“Oh yeah? Me too. Here’s a fairy tale pun for you—Hansel and Regretal.” I gathered the sheet in my arms and took off for my bathroom. How had I let myself get so wrapped up in Sebastian mere months after I’d been through this with Neal? I spun back. “I assume I don’t have to tell you toleave.”
“Georgina, come on.” He sighed, still gripping my dress. “What’d you expect me to say?Congratulations?”
“I expected you to react like the rational, supportive person I thought I was getting involved with. You can’t tell me the possibility of losing your job never crossed yourmind.”
“Of course it has. Why do you think I’m not more surprised? I knew my ass was on theline.”
“Then it must’ve also occurred to you that Vance might replace you with me.” Still stung that he’d thought I might try to use our heart-to-heart the night before against him, I added, “So how doIknow you didn’t plan yesterday so I’d feel loyal toyou?”
He looked taken aback.Good. Now he knew how it felt to have his intentions doubted. “Are you kidding me?” heasked.
