“Please go easy, Dad,” Elliot says, loosening his scarf. “I did the best I could.”
Behind his glasses, Mr. Peterson narrows his eyes at his son. “Your disappearance has occurred during a sensitive time at the firm. You won’t face the consequences of a diminished professional reputation. That’s not a problem you have to deal with, son, but some of us do. Including Mr. Hansley here.”
Even though he doesn’t explicitly name Elliot’s career and his disapproval of it, I hear the critique in his voice. It annoys me enough, and my energy is worked up so much from the press conference, I respond after he says my name. “Excuse me, sir. But your son and I are still recovering our health. We have plenty of consequences to occupy our attention, but I think his rest needs to come first.”
My mouth falls slightly ajar, surprise at what I just said pulsing through me.
My boss turns and sets his stern gaze on me. “Did I ask you?”
“Dad, drop it,” Elliot says. “Just drop it.”
Mr. Peterson’s lips draw tight. “Fine. Hansley, you clearly need time to clear your head and think straight again. Take until next Monday. We’ll assess where everything stands with public relations then, and see if you can return to the professionalism we expect.”
He walks away, and I let out a shaky breath.
“Shit, Hank,” Elliot says. “Sorry about that. Sorry about him.” He winces. “Damn it! I really don’t want this to cause you problems at work.”
I shake my head. “It’s not your fault, Elliot. We shouldn’t have been in this position in the first place.” But cold dread sinks through me. I’m an accomplished professional, and not used to being scolded. Could my job seriously be at risk?
“Thanks for defending me,” he adds softly.
Before I can gather my thoughts, Angie and Taylor emerge to join us.
Taylor frowns, and Angie holds her hand horizontal and waves it side-to-side. “Some good answers. Some not so good.”
I rub the back of my head. “I think the bad answers won out. I’m in hot water with work now.”
Taylor lifts her phone. “If it helps, your fans loved it. Especially the part where you smiled at each other with love hearts in your eyes and talked about eating seaweed.”
“Oh wow.” Elliot says as he leans back against the wall. “People noticed that?”
“Probably just people who use the internet,” Angie says.
My cheeks flush. I certainly didn’t have love-hearts in my eyes, but I know objecting will get me nowhere.
Elliot gives me a funny smile. I’m not sure exactly what it’s about, considering we just humiliated ourselves on television and angered his father.
“Put it out of mind if you can,” Taylor offers. “Social media moves so fast. People will forget about this.”
“Thanks. I’ve got plenty more sleeping to distract me.”
“But maybe first,” Elliot adds, “you and I could sneak off and get a drink?”
I arch an eyebrow. “We just made unintended splashes with our press conference. I don’t think a public appearance is in order.”
“The club where Marko tends bar is just down the block. They’re not open yet, but he’s in there getting ready and listening to music. We don’t need to drink, but it’s a private place we could talk.” He tilts his eyes up to me. “There’s a lot we should probably talk about,” he adds. “And I’d like to see you.”
“You’re right,” I agree, feeling some relief just at the thought of it. “I’d appreciate that.”
Truthfully, I’m so exhausted and fraught from the press conference, I’ll probably get home after this and knock out for another twenty-four hours.
But I’ll sleep even better assured that Elliot is okay, too.
