“I said I don’t know!”
Does that mean the merger is happening? Is he really about to axe my entire department? My stomach flips and my coffee sours on my next sip, so I abandon the drink. Everything with Nick and my mom means nothing if I’m out of a job.
“Hey!” Victoria leans forward again and grins. “You went to dinner, right? So he likes you! Maybe you can find out what thehell is happening and what he’s up to. I mean, if you have an in with him, then it’s kind of your responsibility.” Despite the lightness of her laugh, there’s a distinct note of jealousy in her tone.
But I don’t have space to be mad because she might actually be right for once.
“That’s not a bad idea,” I agree.
As we walk to work, I mull over how to get Elijah’s attention and how to approach the subject without seeming entirely obvious when my phone buzzes in my hand with a message from the man in question.
[Elijah] Free for lunch later?
25
ELIJAH
Asking Calliope to travel a little further to a cafe away from prying eyes is worth it the moment I walk around the corner and see her standing outside waiting for me.
She nuzzles into her scarf and huddles into her coat as the wind picks up, but the moment our eyes meet, her smile instantly soothes all my worries about making her travel this far.
“Hi!” She smiles widely. “Are you hungry?”
“Starving.”
“Great! I’ve always wanted to try this place but never had the time. I heard from Victoria, though, that they do an amazing Camembert sub, so I have to get that to go or she’ll never forgive me.”
“She drives a hard bargain.”
“Well, she is covering for me so I can take a longer lunch.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “So I owe her.”
“Ah, yes. Sorry. I know it was far, but I thought it would be best.”
“No, I get it. Who wants to listen to the gossip mill, right?” She stamps her feet briefly to chase away the cold and tilts her head. “Should we go in?”
“Yes, after you.”
I came here with the intention to immediately tell Calliope that yesterday I signed on the dotted line and secured the deal of Amber Limited absorbing Angelic Jewels and that I’m now the CEO. A position that definitely affects how we can pursue our relationship.
I should tell her, but the words don’t come.
Being with Calliope is almost too easy. We take a table at the back near the heater and share a pot of tea over grilled cheese, and it’s such a perfect, peaceful meal that all thoughts of being in charge or becoming her boss seem unimportant. The moment I tell her the truth, I risk losing her, and that’s somehow scarier than anything else.
“And then I walked in this morning to see that half our stock was gone!” Calliope shakes her head, brushing crumbs off her fingers. “Poor Jane was running around like a headless chicken because Cameron was supposed to work today, but Jimmy saw fit to redirect him to help out at one of the local stores. He walked into my office and told me that if I can’t manage my department with less staff, then I don’t deserve to call myself a manager.” She rolls her eyes and picks up her food again.
“He said that?”
“Word for word.”
“Wow. He’s quite the character.”
“You mean asshole.” Calliope laughs. “You can say that. He’s not your boss.”
True. But I’m now his, and according to Buster, his contract is pretty air-tight, so there’s no way I can fire him immediately. Maybe in six months.
“I’m sorry about all of that. I’m working on fixing it.”
“Fixing it?” she asks as she swallows. “That’s sweet, but you can’t fix it. Although I suppose if any of your stones are set into those pieces, it would be more data for you, right?”
