“You don’t have to repay me,” I say, hugging her.
She begins to laugh. “No, my mom said dinner and she’ll be holding us to that, but I’ll think of something. God, you’re incredible.” Her whole face lights up as she pulls back and looks up at me.
My phone starts to ring, and I pull it out of my pocket. My dad’s name flashes across the screen.
“Take it,” she says, when I hesitate to answer. “I need to get over to Chloe’s anyway. I’ll see you at the fair.”
“You sure?”
She nods.
Swiping up on the screen, I walk into my room. “Hey, Dad. How was golf?”
“Great. Sorry about the meeting.”
“It’s fine,” I say, the uneasiness I felt earlier returning.
“I actually ran into Stuart Barton today at the club.”
“Stuart Barton?”
“Mitch’s friend from college.”
I know who he is, I’m just confused why he’s telling me about it and not Mitch.
“Right. How’s Stuart?”
“He’s doing well. He’s married and his wife is pregnant with their first. He’s been up in Chicago for the last few years, but they’re planning on moving to Atlanta to be closer to his family.”
“That’s good, but what’s that got to do with me?”
“He’s looking for a job, and he approached me today at the club about coming to work for Austere.”
“Oh, yeah. I think he’d be a great addition to the team. If he's in town, maybe he can come by tomorrow. I’d love to talk to him. Once I take over as CEO, we will need to fill my position. It could be a good fit.”
My dad chuckles. “I agree he’d be a good addition, but I was thinking he may be better suited for CEO.”
I physically feel the blood drain from my face. The room starts to spin, and I have to brace myself against my dresser so I don’t fall. I set the phone down and hit the speaker button.
“You want Stuart to be CEO?”
“Now before you get all emotional, I know you’ve been working hard, but I’ve been thinking a lot lately, and I’ve hadsome employee concerns come to my attention about you taking over. The company needs someone who our employees can trust. We are a family company, and Stuart is a family man. He has the experience, and he fits the image that we’re known for. I think he’s an excellent candidate for the position, and I know this is hard for you to hear, but if you put your feelings aside, I think you’ll agree this is for the best.”
“I’m responsible.” It’s a pathetic argument, but it’s all I have.
“Our employees need to be able to trust the man leading the company, and it’s hard for people to trust someone who is thirty, still single, and has your reputation.”
“I’ve been killing myself trying to earn this position, and you’re just gonna give it to the first guy who approaches you at the golf club?”
“Stuart is not some random person. His resume is phenomenal. He’s just like your brother, but he will be living in Atlanta.”
Just like your brother.My heart sinks into my stomach. How could I be so dense and think he’d ever pick me?
“Okay, I understand.”
“Good. Stuart will be coming by tomorrow. I’d like you to be there to meet with him.”
“Got it.”
