“Well, tell me what you need, and I can put a job description together and?—”
“I need you.”
I furrow my brows. “You have me, Daniel.”
“I want you as the Chief Operating Officer.” He leans forward and taps the folder. “This is the offer letter.”
For a moment, I just stare at the folder like it might sprout wings and fly away.
“Daniel…what?”
He nods. “I want you to be the COO of Cole & Harcourt. You’re already doing eighty percent of the work without the title. It’s time you’re recognized for it.”
My pulse thrums in my ears.
Chief Operating Officer. Me? I don’t have an MBA or evena law degree. I’m a paralegal. I’m…going to be the COO of a 100-people law firm. Me?
It’s surreal, unreal…all of those things.
“You…you think I can do the job?”
“Iknowyou can.” There’s a flicker of amusement and affection in his eyes. “AndI want you to lead the transition. I only trust you to pull this off.”
My pulse thrums with excitement as my mind rockets forward.
Checklists, staffing flowcharts, integration schedules, vendor negotiations, and regulatory filings.
I’m seeing the whole map of projected timelines, resource allocation, communication rollouts, training phases, tech implementation, and even how this will affect our case distribution.
Maybe I’ll need a color-coordinated whiteboard like Rhys.
Rhys. Oh God!
COO will mean more work. A whole lot more work.
How will we manage once Rhys goes back to work? Can a marriage survive with two people with high-powered, high-stress jobs?
“What’s your hesitation, Jayne?” he asks gently.
I take a deep breath. “Rhys is going to go back to work and then….”
“Jayne.” He holds my gaze with intention. “I know the difference between a woman at capacity and a woman doubting herself. This is the latter.”
“I just…I need to think about this. Talk to Rhys.”
“As you should, but borrow my belief until you remember your own. You’re ready. And if you need support, don't hesitate to ask. Leadership isn’t about doing everything alone.”
I open the folder and my eyes bug out. The package is…holy shit!
Daniel laughs. “Now I don’t feel guilty for low-balling you.”
I narrow my eyes in mock outrage. “So, I should negotiate…what…another fifteen percent?”
“I’d never offer something lower than you’re worth, Jayne. You know that.”
“I do.” I look at all those zeroes on the contract with pride. I earned this. I stand up, gripping the folder, feeling a sense of power. “Thank you for your trust, Daniel. I’ll give you my answer by tomorrow.”
I want to call Rhys,butI’m worried about what this will mean in a few months when his schedule has more than soccer practice and gymnastics camp on it.
