"Focus on the residential suites, Maya." Falon stands. "I brought coffee and breakfast sandwiches from Roasting Point. Let's eat and then I'll ride the subway with you down to the Bishop offices."
"This meeting could change my entire career." I smooth my hands over the skirt of my dress. "I know I'm ready, but I'm still scared. I don't want to fuck this up."
She reaches for my shoulders. "You're going to walk out of that office as the listing broker for those suites. Mark my words, Maya. The job is yours. I know it. I feel it."
Her pep talks have been the fuel that has propelled me through every career milestone to date. "I believe you. The job is mine."
If I can calm the butterflies in my stomach and keep the conversation focused on business, the job will be mine. I'm sure of it.
CHAPTER TEN
Julian
"Why would I leave the organization?"Isadora doesn't glance up from where she's sitting in her usual perch behind her desk. "I built this company up just as you did. I have every right to be here."
I curse under my breath with an exasperated sigh. This discussion began via text last night near the end of my dinner meeting with Chloe. Isadora sent me a text asking me to meet her for a drink to discuss a contract related to the Bishop Hotel in Paris.
She'd received a call from our lawyer there yesterday morning and instead of asking me about it during office hours; she waited until the evening when she knew I'd be more prone to agree to a meeting over a drink.
I refused.
When she pressed, I shut her down with a quick response that I was at dinner.
She asked if I was with a woman. I answered honestly that I was and then the floodgates opened.
We spent much of last night in a heated text exchange about the breakdown of our relationship.
I suggested she think about finding a new job. She told me to fuck off. At that point, it was near two a.m., so I shut my phone off and tried to sleep.
"It's clear that co-existing here isn't going to be a viable option." I work to keep my tone even, calm and controlled. "I'm prepared to offer you a generous severance package, Isadora. I think it's best for both of us."
She lets out a huff of frustration. "I don't give a shit about what's best for you. I'm on my own now, aren't I? I have worked day and night for over three years to make this hotel chain what it is and now you're going to tell me that I have to give that up too? I won't. It's not happening, Julian."
"We can't continue to work together." I push a hand through my hair. "After last night, I think that's obvious."
"We've been broken up all of three days and you're already fucking someone else." Her voice raises to a level that I know will carry through the door and into the common space beyond where employees gather to drink coffee and brainstorm.
"Lower your voice." The words come out darker than I intend.
"Or what?" She pushes to her feet, her hands jumping to the middle of her chest. "Are you threatening me?"
"Of course not." I brush off her words with a wave of my hand in the air. "This is a personal matter that has no place in the office. I'm not going to discuss it with you here again."
"Do you know how painful it is to see you each day?" Her voice cracks. "I thought we'd spend the rest of our lives together. I thought we'd have a son and a daughter and raise them to take over the company."
I don't feel the pain she does. I've only felt the weight of the world being lifted from my shoulders since our relationship ended.
I was never satisfied with her. I may have tricked myself into believing I was based on the growth of the business, but personally, I was stifled.
"I'm sorry," I say softly. "I want you to be happy. I do, Isadora. I want you to find someone who can love you the way you deserve."
A sob bubbles up from her throat. "You can be that man, Julian. You can."
"I can't." I take a step toward her but stop myself. If I touch her to offer comfort, she'll misinterpret it as more. That can't happen.
"I have nowhere to go." She drops back into her chair. "I can't tell which way is up anymore."
I have no comforting words to offer her. I won't confuse her with anything that could be misconstrued as hope for a future between us.
