I stiffened at that, and Christina’s expression turned carefully blank.
“However, I would hate to think, as would my brother, that Pennington’s is a place that fosters workplace bullying. I trusted Christina’s gut instincts and we have proof Becky wasn’t a team player. So that’s done. We’re over it.” She leaned back against her desk, crossing her arms. “Now we have to discuss damage control.”
And all I wanted to do was go to my parents.
But I had to be honest with my bosses and tell them it was all over.
It seemed an ugly way to pay Christina back for her kindness toward me.
I let out a shaky exhale. “I?—”
The door to Hilary’s office flew open, and we all startled.
Standing in the doorway, a little sweaty and out of breath, was Baird. Longing flooded my system. His dark gaze zeroed in on me as he stumbled into the room.
“I apologize, Ms. Erstwhile.” Hilary’s assistant popped her head around Baird’s arm. “He just burst in.”
“I’m sorry.” Baird ran a shaky hand through his hair. “But what I have to say can’t wait.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
BAIRD
Seeing Maia, recognizing the heartbreak in her big violet eyes, I knew I had made the right decision. I’d do just about anything to make her eyes light up with happiness again.
Beth had called Callan while I was leaving the club and told him that Maia was going into Pennington’s to end the campaign.
I couldn’t let that happen.
Not just because I didn’t want her to lose everything she’d worked so hard for but because I had my heart set on marrying her in two weeks.
Leaving the club had been bittersweet. I’d been with Caley since I was sixteen and played for them professionally for the last eight years. For the longest time, the grounds of Caledonia United was my home. But truthfully, it had stopped being that place for me since my injury. I was never able to look at it or feel about it the same way.
I left there at peace with my decision.
“Can I talk to Maia alone?” I asked the two classy older women.
Hilary Erstwhile raised an eyebrow. “You do realize this is my office?”
“We’ll talk in My’s office, then.” I nodded at my stunned fiancée. “All right, My?”
“Oh, it’s fine.” Hilary waved Christina to go ahead of her. “You have five minutes and then we really need to discuss the campaign.”
I nodded, stepping aside to let them pass. As soon as the door closed, I knelt at Maia’s feet and took her hands in mine. “Baby, are you okay?”
She searched my face, sounding a bit breathless. “What are you doing here?”
“Stopping you from stopping this. Did you tell them yet?”
“How did you—” Realization dawned, and she grimaced. “Beth?”
“My, you cannot quit this campaign. There’s no point. You and Iaregetting married in two weeks, and it would be nice if we didn’t have to pay for it.”
Pain etched in her gorgeous face as she tugged unsuccessfully on her hands. “I can’t let you do that.”
Frustration roiled in my gut, but I tamped it down. “It’s done. I’ve been to the club, and I told the gaffer I quit.”
Maia shot to her feet, wrenching us apart. “No!”
