He chuckles. “Yes, I’m just tying up some loose ends before I go on holiday.”
“Ah, I hope wherever you’re going is lovely,” I tell him.
“Thank you. To get to why I’m calling, I was wondering if you had an answer for me.”
“I do actually,” I tell him hesitantly.
Julius groans, picking up on the tone of my voice. “You’re about to let me down now, aren’t you?”
“I am. I’m sorry, Julius, but I’m going to have to pass. While it does sound like an amazing job and one I would love, I don’t think I can.”
“May I ask you a personal question?” he asks.
“Sure.”
“What is stopping you from taking the job with us?” he asks bluntly.
“So many things. I realize there are direct flights back here, but it’s far from home and the people I call family. Not to mention the fact that I love working for The Williamson Group. They have been good to me and have rewarded me for my time. I don’t think I can walk away from that type of loyalty.”
He sounds disappointed when he says, “Iris, I hate to be the one to tell you, but you shouldn’t be loyal to a company when you don’t own it or have a stake in it. It can turn on you at any point and leave you high and dry.”
While that is true for the most part, he doesn’t know the connection I have with the Williamson brothers. I know that no matter what, they wouldn’t abandon me. We’re family even if it’s not by blood.
“Look, I would hate to see you walk away from this opportunity. If you do, I can guarantee it won’t ever happen again. I want you to think about it for just a little longer. In a week when I get back from my holiday, I’ll reach back out and see if you’ve changed your mind. I really think we could make you happy here, Iris. Will you do that for me? Can you give it another week?”
I think of whatever big news Max is keeping from me. Should I leave this opportunity on the table for a week? What harm would it be?
I finally give in. “Okay, sure. I can do that.”
“Lovely. I’ll talk to you soon, doll.”
“Have a good holiday. Bye,” I say before hanging up.
I look around my office and take in everything I’ve built here. While it’s not my dream job, it is one that I love and adore. I meant it when I told him I can’t imagine myself leaving.
Even though my last name isn’t Williamson, I feel like this company is part of my legacy, which is why I know that I won’t be changing my mind.
As tempting as it is to live in my favorite city full time, it’s not going to happen.
I’m here to stay, and nothing is going to change that.
MAX
I sit at the head of the table, waiting the board members out. I know they have questions. Shit, it’s like all they do is ask questions. Even stupid ones that we’ve gone over more than once. I want to tell them to turn their listening ears on like Olivia says to Ari when she’s being a terror (her words, not mine), but I can’t. That wouldn’t be professional, and if I’m not professional, then they won’t take my proposal seriously.
And I need them to say yes.
Keeping this secret is starting to get to me. Iris is my person. I’ve told her everything for years, and keeping this from her is starting to weigh on me more than I ever thought it would. I just have to make it through this meeting.
Mason shifts in his seat on my left, making his presence known. He flew in just for this meeting and will head back to Boston as soon as it’s over. Then hopefully, if we have our way, Iris and I will be close behind.
“Does anyone have any other questions?” Mason asks before I can.
Mr. Marks steeples his hands in front of his face. “I won’t lie, this is a tempting offer. I can see the appeal, but will people really want to leave the city?”
“I believe so. Over the last two years a lot of our employees here have started families of their own and have started to look outside the city for homes. I think if we jump on it now, before they start to buy, they would be willing. If they don’t want to leave the city, we can offer them severance packages if their job isn’t one that can be done remotely. Along with glowing recommendations,” I tell him.
“The remote thing. Would it be fully remote, or would it be remote and they have to come into the office once a month?” Mrs. Kent asks.
