I freeze. Partnership track. End of year.
Three days ago I was facing termination. Now I'm being fast-tracked to partner?
"That's... Bill, that's wonderful, but I don't understand. What changed?"
"Your work speaks for itself, Ivy. The partners recognize your value to the firm." He pauses. "And frankly, your relationship with Blackstone Bourbon has proven to be... mutually beneficial."
The warmth drains from my body. "What do you mean?"
"Well, some exciting news on that front. We've just formalized a long-term partnership with Blackstone Bourbon. Full environmental retainer, exclusive representation for all their East Coast operations. EPA compliance, water rights, environmental impact assessments for distillery expansions—the whole package."
"When..." My throat closes. I stand, the jacket falling to the floor. "When did this happen?"
"Contract came through yesterday afternoon. Very eager to move forward, which we appreciate in a client." That careful pleasure in his voice. "Quite a significant win for the firm. We're looking at approximately eight million annually over five years, plus potential referrals to other distilleries in their network."
Yesterday afternoon. Right after Bill's ultimatum. Right after I made Thorne promise not to get involved.
No. No, he wouldn't.
"Bill, I didn't—" The words stick in my throat, come out wrong, like I'm choking. "I didn't ask him to do that."
"However it came about isn't important. What matters is that it did. And you've clearly got excellent instincts about client relationship management, Ivy. That's exactly the kind of strategic thinking we look for in partners."
The jacket lies on my floor. The helmet with my initials rests on my bed. The motorcycle rides and the way he takes care of me.
The promise he made in the billiards room.
“That's not what this is.”
But even as I say it, heat crawls up my neck. Because part of me knows exactly how it looks.
"Look, I understand you might have some reservations about how this played out." His tone shifts to something almost paternal. “But here's the reality: you're in a relationship withsomeone who values you enough to invest in your success. People leverage relationships all the time; men, women, doesn't matter. Tom Henderson married a client and made partner. Same principle.”
"It's not the same—"
"Isn't it? You delivered transformative business to this firm. That's the bottom line. And now we're delivering on our end—partnership track, year-end goal." A pause. "Everyone wins, Ivy."
My hand wraps around my throat. Eight million dollars. He called Bill. After promising me he wouldn't. After looking me in the eye and swearing he'd stay out of it.
"This isn't how I wanted this," I manage.
"But it's how it happened. And that's what matters." Bill's satisfaction bleeds through every word. "The work will be real. The money is real. Your partnership will be real. You should be celebrating this, not questioning it."
I close my eyes. He doesn't get it. He'll never get it.
"Is there anything else, Bill?"
"Just congratulations. You've proven you can bring in major clients and manage complex relationships. Those are both critical partnership qualities." A pause, and when he speaks all the false warmth is gone. “Oh, and Ivy? Mr. Blackstone seems very invested in making sure you're happy here. I'm sure you understand how important it is to maintain positive relationships with our most valuable clients. So let's make sure things stay smooth, shall we?"
The implied threat lands like a fist to the gut. Keep Thorne happy, or else.
"Of course," I manage.
"Excellent. We'll talk more next week about the partnership timeline and transition planning. Enjoy your weekend."
The line goes dead.
I lower the phone. The riding jacket lies on the floor where it fell, and the helmet still sits on my bed with my initials in elegant script, commissioned just for me. All his thoughtfulness. All his control.
