“Unfriendly,” Emme said.
“Predatory.”
“Firmly unfriendly.”
Brynn lifted her coffee. “I love when Finance and Vendor Relations flirt.”
Annie did not blink. “We are not flirting. We are identifying unacceptable exposure.”
Emme smiled. “With warmth.”
“With math.”
I looked at the revised clause. “Push for weather-delay flexibility and a client medical exception. If they refuse both, we pause premium placement.”
Emme nodded. “That was my recommendation.”
Annie added, “And mine, but with less mercy.”
“Excellent work,” I said.
Emme’s smile softened. She did not look surprised. That was somehow worse.
Summer moved to the next tab. Actual tabs. Criminal behavior in office supplies.
“Annie and I have started preliminary interviews for the CFO transition.”
My pen tapped on the table. “You started interviews?”
“Preliminary ones,” Annie said.
“For your replacement.”
“For the CFO role, Jules. I am not being replaced as a person.”
Brynn leaned forward. “That is exactly what a person being replaced by a spreadsheet ghost would say.”
Annie ignored her. “Final round will be early November if the current shortlist holds. I’ll stay through transition and remain available in an advisory capacity during the first semester.”
The first semester.
University of Florida. Marine Sciences. A doctoral program Annie had earned and almost not taken because WilderHorizons had needed her, because we had needed one another, because sometimes love looked suspiciously like a locked door with family branding.
I turned the page. “Candidates?”
“There is one Summer and I both like,” Annie said. “Remington Montague. Strong finance background. Excellent under pressure. Not easily rattled.”
“She survived an interview with you?” Brynn asked.
“Yes.”
“Potential.”
“Schedule her final,” I said.
Annie nodded once, already making the note.
No one asked if I was sure.
