Chapter 12
TWELVE
L eaving a fuming Livvy in her office was the highlight of her time at working at Hollingsworth. While crushing disappointment had filled her when she read the evaluation, with it came relief at not having to deal with Livvy anymore.
Using the short walk to Bree’s office to get her anger back in control, she came to an abrupt halt seeing Bree’s door open and the woman not there.
She glanced at her watch and frowned. Bree was never late.
Taking a seat in one of the chairs next to her office, she waited, not knowing what else to do. Should she go back to her desk and check her emails?
She was still debating what to do, when she heard the tap of footsteps coming near. She glanced to the side, and her mouth almost dropped open. It wasn’t Bree approaching, however, that had her in shock, but the man following behind her.
Sage saw Bree say something to him as they drew closer. She had never met the president of Hollingsworth before, but he was easily recognizable from the numerous pictures of him placed around the different offices and levels of the building.
“Ms. Riley, I’m Garrett Hollingsworth,” he introduced himself, holding out his hand.
“Mr. Hollingsworth.” Rising, she took his hand to shake.
“I hope you haven’t been waiting long. Bree and I were in a meeting that lasted longer than I anticipated.”
Confused as to why he was there, her eyes went to Bree’s face as Mr. Hollingsworth explained. Bree looked as if she had swallowed a bee. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen from crying. Crying was not a good look on the woman. Even under a ton of makeup, her skin appeared mottled and puffy.
Catching a gesture from Mr. Hollingsworth to go inside the office, she followed Bree inside.
“Please, have a seat, Ms. Riley.” Closing the door, Mr. Hollingsworth gave Bree a cutting look as she was about to move behind her desk.
Awkwardly, Sage sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. For a second, she thought Bree would run out of the office crying, but she must have been able to gather herself before sitting down behind her desk, because when she did, the shine of tears in her eyes was gone.
“May I call you Sage?” Mr. Hollingsworth asked, leaning against the side of the desk.
Baffled about what was going on, she could only nod. Why would the president of the law firm come down to give her the boot? Had Livvy called Hollingsworth and told him what she had accused her of?
“Thank you.” Her boss’ face relaxed into a charming facade, which she didn’t believe for a hot second. Not taken in by his approachable behavior, Sage linked her fingers together tightly, not dropping her guard.
“Bree and I discussed your future with the firm, with today being the last day of your contract. I wanted to personally ask you to become a permanent member of our team.”
“You do?” Her eyes cut to Bree’s, who looked as if she didn’t know whom she would rather hit with the stapler—her or Hollingsworth.
“We do. You have been an exemplary employee while you worked here. We would be idiots to let you go. Isn’t that right, Bree?”
Bree’s face tightened in what Bree must have thought was an encouraging smile, but Sage knew better.
“Yes.” Bree paused to clear her strangled voice. “We would be overjoyed if you decided to stay.”
Sage barely managed to contain the laughter bubbling up her chest. Bree looked as if she was about to stroke out.
“I’ve enjoyed working here,” Sage began. “The problem is, which I made known to Bree last week, that I need full-time.”
The smile on Mr. Hollingsworth’s face widened. “Bree told me that this morning when we were discussing you. The position I’m offering you will be full-time, plus some overtime.”
Surprised, she stared at him. “I wouldn’t be doing the same job?”
“No, I would like you to take over for Glenda Parsons.”
The unexpected offer had her clenching her hands tighter. This was too good to be true. Afraid this was some type of joke that Livvy was somehow behind, she didn’t say anything in fear of what would come next.
Mr. Hollingsworth’s brow furrowed when she remained silent. “Will that be a problem?”
When she took in Bree’s miserable expression, she started to believe that maybe he wasn’t setting her up.
“You’re serious?”
Hollingsworth laughed. “Oh, yes.” He chuckled. “Glenda was the one who recommended you for the job. I wouldn’t dare offer it to anyone else.” He gave her a mock shudder, his expression boyish. “She terrifies me.”
Sage couldn’t help but laugh back. “Her bark is worse than her bite.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” Pushing himself off from the desk, he held his hand out to her.
She unlinked her fingers and grasped it.
“Welcome to the firm, Sage,” he said, shaking her hand.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll leave so Bree can take care of the paperwork. It was nice meeting you.”
“You, too,” she murmured as he left.
Bree’s facade vanished with the closing of the door. Reaching into drawer, she pulled out a thick yellow envelope, which she handed to her. “You can fill this out this weekend and bring it in on Monday,” Bree said through tight lips. “Enjoy your weekend.”
“I will, thank you.”
Ecstatic at being able to go home with good news to tell Glory, she rose, clutching the envelope in her hand.
“Sage …”
She turned around at Bree’s voice as she was about to open the door. “Yes?”
“Mr. Hollingsworth gave you the job despite the review both Livvy and I felt you deserved. Have you met him before?”
Her hand dropped from the door to turn more fully to face Bree. “I’ve never met Mr. Hollingsworth before today. What are you insinuating?”
The way Bree was staring at her made her want to leave the stifling atmosphere of hatred coming off her. Why would Bree look at her with pure hatred? It didn’t make any sense.
“Nothing. I was just asking. I just find it unusual that Mr. Hollingsworth was interested in meeting you. How you managed to snag a job ten people who have worked here much longer have vied for is a mystery to me.”
Maintaining her composure, she held on to the envelope like a lifeline. “That’s a question you should ask him, not me.”
“I did.”
“What did he say?” she asked curiously.
“He didn’t answer,” Bree replied shortly.
“Then I guess, as it’s his firm, he doesn’t need your approval, does he?”
“No, he doesn’t.” Her lips thinned further. “I do think it’s fair to give you a heads-up …”
Sage braced herself for what Bree was about to say. From the malicious look on her face, she wanted to hurt her.
“Mr. Hollingsworth may be giving you the job, but you’re still going to be answering to me.”
If she could stick up for herself against Livvy, she could deal with anything Bree dished out. While she wanted the job, it didn’t have the power to hurt her. Only three people held that power. And Bree wasn’t one of them; neither was Livvy. Both women could go fuck themselves.