He ignored my reaction. “I brought you here for some news, which you may be expecting. With much deliberation between my colleagues and myself, we would like to offer you the position of Director of Accounts. As you are aware, it comes with a host of extra benefits, such as a company car, company phone, company credit card, annual bonus, and direct access to your boss, the VP of Sales.”
He broke his professional façade to wink at me and then handed me the official papers outlining my benefits.
I was thrilled about the promotion, of course, but I was on cloud nine that it was Colin who got to tell me and that he was obviously enjoying it.
For so long, I’d put Maggie on a pedestal. The unreachable goal I could never attain. Effortless confidence, polished, mysterious. But sometimes strength didn’t come with secrets and enigmas. Sometimes it looked like working your ass off, asking the dangerous questions, and doing the damn thing.
And it felt good.
My presence at work didn’t seem small in comparison anymore. I felt appreciated. I’d earned my power and my place.
“When did you find out?” I asked, my cheeks hurting from smiling.
“I was certain it would be you from the beginning. But the other vice presidents put in their votes this morning. Don’t worry, my love. There aren’t any secrets anymore.”
“I understand if there are company matters that I can’t be told about,” I said.
He came back around to hug me, and I simply breathed him in, the faint scent of his cologne an added bonus to the moment.
“We celebrate tonight?” he asked.
I nodded excitedly, not knowing exactly whether we’d go out to celebrate orcelebrate indoors.
Grant wasn’t allthat surprised when I told him. He then proceeded out to the open office area, shouted for everyone to give a round of applause for the new Director of Accounts, embarrassing me in the process.
The gasps, smiles, and claps had me blushing profusely. I gave a short speech thanking everyone and retreated to our corner.
“Well, that was fun,” I said truthfully.
“I’ll be your assistant of fun,” he said.
“Do you think you can handle me being on top of you?”
As soon as I said the words, I waved my hands at his widening eyes and goofy grin, but he cut me off.
“I know my place, boss,” he said with a chuckle. I realized then that Grant’s humor had never been about confidence. It had been a shield. Now it was as if he’d accepted something and didn’t need to fight it anymore.
He raised an eyebrow. “The question is, who will be the second assistant?”
“Maybe we don’t need one,” I said, his eyes widening this time in horror.
I laughed. “We’ll figure it out. Don’t worry. I won’t work you to death.”
When I arrived at my apartment that afternoon, the plan was to pack a bag to stay at Colin’s for a few days. The car in my parking spot, however, was the first strange thing. I parked next to it, unsure of what to do.
Then I watched my front door open.
I was already putting my car in reverse, muttering, “Shit! Shit! Shit!” to myself, knowing I was about to witness a murderer or, at the very least, an intruder leaving my apartment.
When I saw a mass of brown curls and arms waving in the air, I said one last “Shit” to myself with an audible sigh of relief.
It was Angie. What the hell she was doing on my front stoop instead of in San Francisco, I had no idea. I jumped out of the car, ready to berate her for almost killing me from fright.
We both screamed as we ran toward each other.
“Surprise!” she yelled as we hugged each other tightly.
We smiled at each other like idiots in the driveway. My upstairs neighbor was peeking through her curtain, as she usually did any time she caught me coming in or leaving. I pulled Angie into my place.
