‘Please take your time deciding. This is a huge commitment. We know your lives are back home in Glasgow,’ Fee said, her voice full of understanding.
I felt a sudden pang in my chest, knowing that there wasn’t much left for me in Scotland anymore, not now Philip had pulled a ghostly Houdini.
‘I’m in,’ Zola said decisively.
‘Katy?’ I said quietly. ‘Is there anything you want to say? Maybe have a chat with anyone in private about the clause?’ I raised my brows high and kept them there as she paused.
‘No. Thank you for this opportunity. I’m in,’ she replied. ‘Subject to reading the contract, of course.’
A strange wave of relief ran through me. I knew Katy was passionate about the truth, and I wanted Travis to pay for his shabby behaviour, but we’d worked so hard for this opportunity. We deserved the chance to prove ourselves and take our business to the next level; well, actually, the top fucking level. I didn’t want a ridiculous one-night stand of continuous shagging to ruin it for us all.
‘Well, I’m in,’ I said. ‘Once the contracts are checked. But it sounds like an extraordinary opportunity. We’d be honoured to work with you and the Flirtify team!’
There was a cheer in the conference room, followed by a great round of applause.
‘Welcome to the family. Come, stand up, I want you to meet everyone.’
Jimmy ushered us round the table as champagne was brought in to toast our deal. One by one, we met app designers, IT specialists, graphic designers, assistants, personal assistants, data analysts and marketing and PR specialists. This company had everything, and we were about to be part of it.
After thirty minutes of introducing us to our new work colleagues, Jimmy led us to the door.
‘Come, I’ll show you to your office.’ He nudged his head, and Katy, Zola and I followed him.
We walked around the open-plan office, which had a great vibe – welcoming, edgy, techy – featuring areas with giant screens, huge shiny plants and beanbag chairs throughout.
‘I’ve put you girls in one of the big offices, next to mine. It means you have room in there for three desks, but if you prefer individual working spaces, we can take care of that, no problem.’ Jimmy headed round the corner to a row of glass-boxed offices. ‘This is Fee’s, and Travis has the corner office, then mine, of course, and the one opposite is yours.’
My eyes widened, trying to take it all in without looking like a totally unsophisticated rookie. We had the biggest on the whole floor, bigger than Jimmy’s.
‘Wow!’ I grinned.
Zola skipped towards the space, with Katy following behind.
‘Did you expect this?’ Jimmy asked when it was just the two of us.
I shook my head, still admiring the bright modern space right at the heart of New York.
‘I think we’ll make a wonderful partnership, Ella.’ His smile was warm, a little shyer than the hardcore businessman we had seen leading the meeting earlier.
‘I do too.’
‘Will it be a pain to rearrange life back home and live here for a while?’ he asked.
I laughed. ‘Absolutely not!’
‘So, no one special .?.?. a husband or a boyfriend you have to break the news to?’
I turned to Jimmy. His eyes were dark, mysterious, almost. I wondered what he was thinking. Was he trying to get to know a new colleague a little more? Or maybe he was being kind? Although this was a fantastic opportunity, it was a lot to ask of someone – to move to the other side of the world.
‘No one worth mentioning,’ I answered quietly.
There was a moment between us, his eyes scanning my face.
‘You have got to see this view, Ella!’ Zola called from inside our new office.
‘She’s right, you know. It’s the best view in the house,’ Jimmy said. ‘I have another meeting to get to, but I’ll make sure someone brings your contracts around Hudson Yards tonight,’ he said, hands casually resting in the trouser pockets of his expensive suit. ‘In the meantime, have a look around, get to know the place.’
‘Thank you,’ I replied. ‘We won’t let you down.’
