Boss was redder than a chili pepper. His balding head had beads of perspiration on it.
“So, what are you gentlemen up to this morning?” I was never one to stand on ceremony.
A pointed look passed between them before they faced me. Why did I feel like this didn’t bode well for me?
“Kelli, can I talk to you in my office, dear?” Boss waved his hand toward his door.
Oh, this wasn’t good. He never called me dear, honey yes, but never dear. I looked back at Delfia, and she knew too by the way her shoulders sagged.
“Delfia, could you please get Ian some coffee?” Boss asked Delfia.
What? Ian was staying?
“Gary, is there somewhere I can set up my laptop?” Ian asked.
“Delfia, please show Ian to the conference room and give him access to the Wi-Fi,” Gary directed.
I couldn’t believe this. My head was spinning.
Before Ian followed Delfia, he directed his attention to me, or at least I thought it was to me. “I look forward to meeting with you later.”
He must be talking to Boss. There was no reason for us to meet later, and I had no intention of doing so. I looked at Boss to respond to him.
Boss was rubbing the back of his neck now. Whoa, he was on edge. “We’ll all meet together after I’ve talked to Kelli. There will be plenty of time for you and Kelli to meet later.”
Uh, that was a negative. I was absolutely not meeting with that man. Like ever. What could we possibly have to meet about anyway? I stared at Boss blankly. When he wouldn’t make eye contact with me, I marched into his office and sat down in one of the leather seats in front of his desk, my heart pounding out of my chest. I heard Boss mumble something to the moron before he walked in and shut the door. He didn’t sit at his desk, instead he sat next to me. This wasn’t good at all.
BOSS TOOK MY HANDS IN his. Before anyone thinks this was inappropriate workplace behavior, think again. I had known Boss my entire life. He and my father were lifelong friends and ever since my sweet dad passed away several years ago, Boss not only filled in as a father figure, but he became my mentor.
Boss finally found the courage to look me in the eye, but his palms were sweaty. “Kelli, my girl, you know it’s time for me to try out retirement. At least that’s what Holly says.”
I smiled warmly. “I think you will be great at it.” Presumptuously I added, “And you know I’ll take good care of things here. You won’t have to worry about a thing.”
He gave me a strained smile.
That’s when my heart sank. Any small shred of hope I had that Ian being here was only a coincidence went right through the paper shredder. “You’re not making me Director, are you?” I tried to keep the emotion out of my voice.
He squeezed my hands. “Kelli, there’s no question you’re the most talented and dedicated employee that has graced these walls in the last twenty-five plus years. There’s no doubt in my mind that you would be an excellent Director.”
“But . . .” I said.
“There is no but, Kelli. You would be excellent. This has been perhaps the toughest decision of my career, but I feel like it’s the rightone, and I think you will too once you understand what Ian has to bring to the table.”
I jumped up in a knee jerk reaction. “You’re makinghimthe Director?” I was thinking that maybe Ian was a talent finder, or I don’t know, anything but this.
Boss gripped his seat and leaned back, surprised. I forgot he didn’t know that Ian and I had a history and believe me that ticked me off. Ian should have told him he knew me andhowhe knew me. Maybe then Boss would have thought twice about his asinine decision. Maybe I should tell him. Or maybe I should quit. I can’t and won’t work for Ian.
Boss patted the seat I had vacated hoping I would sit down again. “I know you’re disappointed, and rightly so, but this isn’t a reflection on your capabilities. Look at this as a new opportunity.”
“How?” I asked.
“Ian has extensive contacts in the technology sector. He recently sold his own technology company for millions.” Boss was desperately trying to sell the idea to me.
That sounded like Ian. Looked like his plan was right on schedule. That meant he was married now, too, with two-point-five kids.
Boss stood up and took my hands. “Your digital ad software needs him. He can take this product national, maybe even global. Not only is he a capable businessman, but he knows development.”
I wanted to say, tell me something I don’t know. I knew Ian had a degree in software development, in addition to his business undergrad and graduate degrees. I pulled away from Boss and began pacing back and forth, running my fingers through my perfectly curled new-Director hair. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier, and when did you even meet him?”
