Geoffrey Swanson was a brownnoser who pretended to be a team player but made everything about him. A team win was a Geoffrey win. Shoot, the last time they’d had cupcakes in the staff meeting, he’d taken the last chocolate when he knew it was Cami’s favorite. Later, when she’d walked by the room, she’d seen more than half of it in the trash.
Dad knew how she felt about Geoffrey, and he hadn’t even asked her about this move. Typical Brant Jackson.
“Thanks for the heads-up, Astrid. I have to go.” Cami fell back on the floor and read through the email again. “Second-in-command…”
Dad didn’t believe in her. He’d never believe in her. So why employ her? Why send her to Indianapolis? Why dangle the vice president position? He’d just all but announced to the entire company he was sending Geoffrey to keep an eye on Cami.
If she’d hired Geoff, then she’d have made the announcement. But the email had come from the president’s office.
“He’s punishing me, isn’t he? Because I was there when Mama died and couldn’t save her. So for the rest of my life, he’s going to punish me.”
Oh, she really wanted to talk to Ben right now. She missed his wisdom and friendship. She knew what Annalise would say. He’s not punishing you. But it sure felt like he was.
She had options. She could put in her résumé at their rival firm, Wilson & Co. John Wilson had been wooing her for three years. But darn it, she couldn’t do it to Dad. She couldn’t betray him or Akron.
She could move to Indianapolis as planned and be the best director Akron Development had ever seen. Show the whole company she didn’t need Geoffrey Swanson watching her every move.
She closed her fists and opened them, her fingers itching to move, to hold something.
She wanted to paint.
Was that why Mama had always painted? Had she been dealing with the aftermath of being married to the Brant Jackson and all his shenanigans? If Dad had tried to pull stunts like this on Mama, it wasn’t a wonder she’d escaped to Hearts Bend so often.
A knock sounded on the door. “Ma’am. We’re all done here.”
Cami signed the paperwork and walked the mover out. One lone box remained in the corner. The box she’d brought back from the inn last week. The one with Mama’s unfinished painting.
She took a few deep breaths and one final walk through of her home. The remodeled master bath, the new hardwood floors. Everything reflected Cami and her taste.
No wonder nothing in Indy felt right. It wasn’t. The places were sterile. She hadn’t picked all the finishing pieces. She’d be back in Nashville someday, though. And she’d settle into a new place. Start over again.
She walked into the kitchen. The cool granite was smooth under her fingers. Four walls, a few rooms, a view of the river—really, it was just an empty space. But it had been hers.
Her phone rang, and Max’s name flashed onto the screen. This was it, the news she’d been waiting for.
“Max, the movers are heading your way. My place is completely empty.”
“You’re not going to like this, but you didn’t get the apartment.”
“What do you mean I didn’t get the apartment? I signed the lease two days ago.”
“One hour after someone else. They’re refunding your deposit.”
“Max, no, get me that apartment. The movers have that address.” The movers. Cami ran out of the condo and down the stairs, looking for Clipboard Man.
“I found a place a little farther out. Three-bedroom townhome. New build, great community, but they want a year lease.”
“Argh. Okay, well, if that’s all that’s available?—”
“I’ll keep looking, but let’s decide by tomorrow.”
Her condo was empty, her quaint apartment had fallen through, and a snitch was moving to Indy with her.
Cami retrieved Mama’s painting, then took one final look at her home. “Thanks for the memories.” Then she closed and locked the door and stored the key in the Realtor’s lockbox.
She closed her eyes, pressed her forehead against the cool wood door, and breathed. What was she going to do?
She grabbed her box and escaped to her car. She was staying with Annalise and Steve, but he was having a guys night and Annalise was finalizing details with Vicki.
