Tanya leaned forward. “Look, I’m not going to pry, with either of you.” I snorted and she glared at me. “Okay, well, I’ll pry with you because I know you don’t mind, but I won’t do that to Grier. I just want to know if she’s talked to you about whatever’s going on. Everyone needs at least one person to confide in when they have problems.”
“We’ve talked about it a little,” I replied.
“Okay, that’s good. That’s all I wanted to know.” Again, I gave her a look and Tanya laughed quietly. “Yes, I would love to know more, but I know Grier isn’t like you or Lucy. She’s introverted and private. I think she finds it difficult to share personal stuff.”
“I think she’ll be okay,” I assured Tanya.
“Are you doing okay?” she asked instead of responding to my statement. “Beyond the new boyfriend, I mean? Though that is strange enough. You and Landen used to butt heads more than anyone I’ve ever seen and now you’re getting along so well.”
She was right. It was odd how well Landen and I got along now that our interactions had become romantic rather than strictly professional.
“Chris is giving me a promotion,” I stated. “Or he will be after I hire and train my replacement.”
“What?” Tanya cried. “That’s great! What will your new job title be?”
Grier returned to the table at that moment. “New job?” she queried, looking a little less stressed than she had a few minutes ago.
“Chris is giving Chelsea a promotion!” Tanya stated, her voice carrying across the restaurant.
As people turned to look at us, I leaned forward and hissed, “Tanya, please don’t yell. People are staring.”
“But this is a big deal!” She clapped her hands, looking nothing like the sophisticated, intimidating woman she usually appeared to be. “This calls for champagne!”
“You can’t have champagne,” I deadpanned. “You’re pregnant.”
“It doesn’t matter. You and Grier can have some. I’ll have a virgin Bellini or something. This calls for a celebration.”
“You don’t even know what my new position will be,” I drawled, unable to resist giving her a hard time. “He might have created an glorified office manager position for me.”
Tanya raised her brows. “Is that your new position?”
Unable to contain my smirk, I shook my head.
“Well?” she prompted.
“He’s making me Vice President of…something. He didn’t give me the exact title, just that I would be taking part of his workload. With a significant raise and more benefits.”
A smile spread over Tanya’s face. “That’s fantastic news!”
“Congratulations, Chelsea,” Grier chimed in, though much quieter. The darkness had vanished from her features. “You deserve it.”
I sighed. “I just hope I can do a good job.”
Tanya reached out and grabbed my hand. “I’ve known you for three years now. I have no doubt that you’ll do an excellent job. You are too intelligent and capable to be an assistant.Thisis the type of job you need to be doing. Something that challenges you on a daily basis.”
Some of the nerves jangling in my stomach eased at her words and the sincere expression on her face. Tanya was a straight shooter. There was no way she would tell me something like this if she didn’t absolutely believe it was true.
“I guess we’ll see.”
Our server arrived at the table at that moment, responding to the little wave Tanya had given him a few moments ago. As Tanya ordered the champagne and a virgin Bellini for herself, I smiled.
I had great friends.
