“These are your release forms,” she said crisply. “Severance package. Non-compete clause. Confidentiality agreement. You’ll need to sign before you leave the building, or no severance for you.”
Lucas held up a cardboard box. “For your desk. Security will escort you to pack up your things.”
Keith stared at us, his smile fading. “You’re serious.”
“Look who finally caught up,” I said, nodding. “Yes, Keith. Actions have consequences, and the bill has come due. Time to go.”
He stood up slowly, his expression shifting from disbelief to anger. “You’re going to end our friendship and business relationship for a doe-eyed girl with the personality of a sugar spoon?”
My temper flared, hot and immediate. He had disrespected her for the last time. I cocked my fist back but Norma stepped between us.
“That ‘doe-eyed girl’ is ten times the person you’ll ever be,” she said, her voice sharp as glass. “She’s smart, capable, empathetic, and professional. All things you’ve never been. And if you think for one second that you can stand in this office and insult her, you’re dumber than I thought.”
Keith’s eyes widened. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“I think I’m the woman that is absolutely sick of your attitude. I’m sick of the workload I have to navigate because you can’t keep that little thing between your legs in your pants. You have cost us countless good employees because of your harassment. Newsflash, you are not God’s gift to females.”
“Or males,” Lucas chimed in.
“Sign the forms.” Norma shoved them against his chest. “Sign them now, or you get nothing. Make a scene and you get nothing. It’s your choice how your day ends.”
Lucas stepped up beside her, his usually jovial expression gone. “You heard her. Sign. Or don’t. Either way, you’re done here.”
I stood there, feeling proud of the amazing people I had at my side. Norma, who’d been protecting me and the company since day one wouldn’t let anyone tear it down. She was friendly and all smiles, but the woman standing in my office was a Mama Bear on steroids.
Lucas had been guiding me throughout this whole Ina situation, and his help had been invaluable.
Norma and Lucas were my real friends.
Not Keith. He’d only ever been around to ride on my coattails. I wasted years thinking I needed people like Keith. I told myself I needed the rich and connected guys who were part of the right social circles. But I didn’t.
I never had.
I moved toward Keith, and my temper cooled into something much more dangerous: indifference.
“You did good work for a time,” I said, offering my hand. “But that time has passed. Your severance package is more than fair. Thanks for the good years. All the best, Keith. Never darken my doorstep again.”
He stared at my hand like it was a snake, then smacked it away.
“Fuck you, Dane. And fuck your company. You’ll regret this.”
“Not even a little.”
He signed the forms with angry, jerky movements, threw the pen at Norma, and stormed toward the door.
Lucas started to follow him, rolling up his sleeves, but I laughed. “Let him go.”
“Are you sure? Because I’d really like tohelphim to the elevator.”
“I’m sure.” I clapped Lucas on the shoulder. “Thank you. Both of you.”
Norma checked her watch. “You have thirty-five minutes. Traffic is going to be terrible.”
I grabbed my coat. “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need luck,” Norma said. “You need to be honest.”
“That’s the plan.”
