“Just the usual this morning?” Lance asks.
“Better make it extra strong, thanks.”
It’s safe to say my mind kept me awake all night.
“Oh dear. Do I want to know?” Lance asks, plucking a to-go cup from the packet sleeve and getting to work on my coffee.
“I sort of screwed up at work yesterday,” I start. “The CEO caught wind of it, and he’s pissed. I have a meeting with him this morning.”
I set my alarm extra early this morning, determined to get into the office with enough time to meet with Henry before we face the music with Chadwick. Our CEO is the type of man who doesn’t hesitate to lose his shit at someone for breathing too loudly in a client meeting, and after yesterday’s clusterfuck, I’m pretty sure I’m about to get a proper bollocking. I’ve never been called to his office before. He usually speaks directly with Henry. I’ve only ever communicated with him in board meetings, and to say he’s scary would be an understatement.
This man is ruthless.
He might be a total dinosaur, but when it comes to business, he’s sharp as a tack. He’s built this place from theground up, so he doesn’t tolerate anyone or anything that might jeopardize Prestige’s reputation.
He expects nothing less than perfection. So let’s just say, yesterday’s button and bra setbacks don’t bode well.
Now everyone knows Victoria’s Secret.
“I’m sure he’ll be sympathetic when you explain,” Lance says, adding an extra shot to my cup.
“Lance, I’m not sure whether you’ve met a CEO, but sometimes they have a reputation of being a bit of a twat. Mine lives up to that reputation,” I say.
He barks out a laugh. “Aye, lass. I’ve served plenty of them in my years. But they’re not all bad.”
“Hmm.” I hum skeptically. “Well, this one makes Gordon Ramsay look like a teddy bear.”
“What did you do?” he asks.
I explain the situation and Lance’s eyes widen before he starts chuckling. “Oh, lass. That’s quite the story.”
“It’s not funny!” I protest, even though I’m fighting my own smile.
“Well, at least you’ll be memorable,” he says, passing me my latte and Danish. “They can’t say you’re a bore.”
“Thanks for the pep talk,” I say dryly, accepting my breakfast. “If you don’t see me tomorrow morning, I’ve been fired.” I raise my coffee in a toast. “It’s been great knowing you.” I turn to walk away.
“Not so fast, you little shite.” He nods to his EFTPOS machine. “Thirteen pounds.”
I pause, shivering, whipping out my phone to pay. “Ugh, don’t say it out loud. I might have an aneurysm.”
“You and me both,” he says, his eyes sad.
Shit. How could I be so thoughtless? This man is literally fighting to keep his business alive.
We usually have our light-hearted morning banter, but this time, when Lance returns my smile, the usual twinkle inhis eyes has dimmed, and it breaks my heart. He’s right—I’m once again the only customer at his kiosk this morning. When I first started at Prestige Partners, I’d arrive five minutes early just to get in the queue. The morning rush has completely dried up.
He starts wiping down the already clean counter. “You’re a good lass, Gemma. Don’t let that fancy CEO tell you otherwise today.”
The corner of my mouth tilts up in a small smile.
“Now off with you.” He waves a hand. “You have better places to be than chatting with an old fool in the cold.”
“Never,” I say firmly, and I mean it.
The elevator doors slide open, and I’m immediately met with the sight of Louise and Theo whispering in the kitchenette. Rolling my eyes, I step toward my office, hoping to slip by unnoticed—tall order considering my figure-hugging skirt suit and stilettos.
Henry emerges from a poky corridor, cutting off my escape.
