Page 80 of Flirting with 40

“Girl, she’s been gunning for you ever since.” She waves a hand at me. “But don’t you worry. She can lobby for her best friend to get the job all she wants, but we’ve made sure to drop hints to management that you’re the one for the marketing position.”

“Thank you. Truly.” Her words bolster my confidence. “But rumor is she gets final approval on their choice since the positions work side by side.”

“Is that why you’re being so cordial and taking her shit? Because you need her approval?” she asks, putting the exclamation mark on this whole situation. It also makes me realize that my quiet resentment might also come off to some like I wouldn’t be a strong leader.

Shit.

My smile is timid. “Well, even if Minka is right and Heather is terrified of me, I still have to tread carefully. I wouldn’t put it past her to put me in a compromising position on this retreat just to have a negative she can flash in front of the board members.”

Gemma looks at me, bewilderment etched in the lines of her features. “You don’t seem like someone who would let someone get in her way.”

I open my mouth to refute her, but something Heather said this morning echoes in my ears. If you’re the one leading, sometimes you have to hide your fears—or, in my case, my doubts—and simply play the part.

And by playing the part, I have one of two options. I can stoop to Heather’s level and use my good standing with the board to bully her into giving the nod should I get offered the promotion. But that isn’t me, and I don’t want to be like her. My other option is to somehow prove to Heather I’m not a threat to her or her shiny title.

“So what are you going to do, Blakely?” Gemma asks.

I give her a knowing smile.

Maybe I came here already knowing what I was going to do, but it just took Gemma’s prodding, the knowledge that I do have some of my coworkers behind me, and Slade’s in-my-face commentary to make the idea that’s been niggling in the back of my head to come to fruition.

Maybe this is just the push I need to own who the new Blakely is and howl at the moon.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Blakely

Nerves rattle through me as I make my way back to the cabin to take a quick break and grab a sweatshirt for the next activity.

And Slade.

At least, I hope I’m grabbing him to come along. After how he stormed out of here earlier, I’m not exactly sure how he feels about being anywhere near me right now.

When a branch breaks behind me, I whirl around, the thought of there being a damn bear there more than terrifying, but I breathe a huge sigh of relief when I see Slade. He’s standing with his hands shoved in the pockets of his jeans, his shoulder is leaning against a tree to his right, and there is the most stoic expression on his face.

“Hey,” he says.

“Hi.” I offer a smile, not sure what to say.

“I owe you an apology.” He takes a step toward me, eyes intent, and sigh heavy.

“Why apologize when all you said was the truth?” It’s my turn to step toward him, to apologize. “I know—”

“I was out of line.” A ghost of a smile turns up the corner of his lips and warms my heart. “You’re under a lot of pressure, and the last thing I want to do is add to it, but damn it, Blakely, I want you to see who I see when I look at you. I want you to trust that same person too.”

My eyes burn with tears because the sincerity in his tone and the emotion flooding his voice is enough to make my heart melt.

“Not everyone has the kind of confidence you have.”

“I know.” He nods and links his fingers with mine, creating a solid connection across a turbulent sea, and I’m so grateful he doesn’t try to say more and just lets me have my own insecurities. That he still connects with me regardless. “I have something for you.”

“For me?”

“Mm-hmm.” He tugs on my hand to follow him. I do so in silence as I try to figure out what it is I need to say. How I explain to him that sitting on a canoe in the middle of the lake, I decided that he’s right and that my toes are back in the sand again.

“What is it?”

“It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you.” He laughs and squeezes my hand. “But you need to close your eyes from here on out.”