Chapter Fifteen
YOU DON’T LEAVE THE PEOPLE you love, and that’s exactly what I told Zane, and that’s the thought I held on to as I drove home.
I tossed and turned in bed that night thinking about Zane’s conjecturing and how irked I was at all of them.
I had begged Zane to tell me what Mr. Greyson said, but he said, “What happens on the golf course between men, stays on the golf course.” He added in, “You’re a smart girl, Kelli. You’ll figure it out.”
I woke up tired, and my brain felt muddled.
Calling in sick crossed my mind more than once.
If only we didn’t have that meeting with Premier late that morning.
What would’ve been my excuse anyway? Sick of my boss, perhaps?
Or maybe I could blame it on the weird sensation that kept coming over me whenever I thought about Mr. Greyson.
In the end, I threw off my covers and started my day by showering and sighing more than was necessary.
I wore my best bone-colored suit that fit me like a glove, and I curled and styled my hair beauty-queen style.
I looked in my floor length mirror when I was done and sighed some more.
I looked okay, but there was still something different about me.
I really didn’t feel like myself. I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed again.
I threw my hands up in the air. I knew what my problem was—it was that man.
He continued to consume my thoughts as I drove to work.
I became increasingly more upset and confused by the mile.
I was angry that he would talk to my brother-in-law about me in the first place, and that my brother-in-law, whom I trusted, and whose children I took care of on a regular basis so he and my sister could still pretend to be newlyweds, wouldn’t even tell me what he said.
If Zane would only tell me, I could clarify for him what Mr. Greyson really meant, because surely he didn’t love me.
But what upset me more was the thought, what if he did love me?
I tried so hard not to entertain that thought, because it was completely ludicrous.
I mean really, the man had been married, and let’s not forget that he left me and took my job.
And let’s certainly not forget all of his professional boundaries’ mumbo jumbo.
And then there was Alexa. However, I also couldn’t forget that he came to my rescue and brought me a tissue, and he saved me from an awful date.
He also remembered my birthday and bought me the most beautiful flower arrangement.
Not only that, he was giving me opportunities at work I had never had before.
“AHHHH!” I screamed out in my car on the highway. I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t let him back into my head, or worse, my heart, the heart he ripped out and casually tossed away like day-old take-out cartons.
By the time I arrived at work, I was frazzled to say the least. I wasn’t in a mood to deal with what I had waiting for me when I made it upstairs.
I knew immediately something was up by the way Delfia’s eyes were bulging out.
She didn’t even say good morning. All she did was rush me into my office and shut the door.
From there she hauled me into my bathroom and shut that door.
I was so stunned I didn’t object. “Delfia?”
“Shh,” she whispered.
“What’s going on?” I whispered back.
“This morning I came in earlier than normal, and little miss thing was here. I was surprised because Mr. Greyson wasn’t here yet, and I wasn’t even sure she worked.”
I nodded my head in agreement with her assessment.
“She was in the conference room talking to someone on the phone, and she obviously didn’t know I was here; either that or she’s as dumb as we first suspected.”
Delfia and I had discussed her at length. We decided she was either really dumb or very smart.
“So, what did she say?”
“She said, ‘I may need a little more time, but I’m not sure how much longer I can play the incompetent angle. Also, there’s a snag in our plan. Ian appears to have feelings for the regional manager.’ Then she went on to belittle you, the little wench.”
I rested my hand on Delfia’s arm. “Thank you, friend, for being miffed on my behalf, but I don’t need or want her good opinion. Plus, I could think of some choice words to describe her.”
“If you weren’t such a fine lady, I’d ask you to tell me some.”
I considered it and then thought better of it. No sense in going down that road.
“Kelli, you need to tell Mr. Greyson,” she added to my surprise.
My eyes popped out. “Tell him what?”
“Tell him he needs to fire Alexa.”
I shook my head. “I can’t do that.” Especially under the circumstances.
She looked at me like I should be pitied, and touched my cheek like she was my mother, except my mother was never so gentle and kind. “Kelli, it’s about time for you and Mr. Greyson to come out of the closet,” she snickered.
I batted her hand away. I was beginning to think everyone had gone crazy. The notion that Mr. Greyson had feelings for me was, not to use an “Alexa” word, but silly. Right?
“Come on now,” she said. “Neither of you are fooling anyone.”
I opened the bathroom door and marched out.
I didn’t need this today. It only added to my befuddlement, and now I was beyond furious.
I knew that Ms. Manselle was bad news, I just couldn’t believe Mr. Greyson was taken in by the bimbo.
Who was Alexa conspiring with, and what plan was she talking about?
I sat down at my desk and rubbed my head.
Delfia grinned at me as she walked out.
My head began to pound, so I took some Tylenol as my laptop came up. Of course, well enough couldn’t be left alone.
Mr. Greyson popped in. “Your presentation looks good. I only tweaked it a little.” He ran his fingers nervously through his hair. It wasn’t like him to act in such a way. “Would you . . . like to drive together?”
I bit my lip and mulled it over. Maybe I should. What Delfia told me was getting to me. Alexa really did need to be fired, and the ride over would allow me to talk to him. “Sure,” was all I said, but it was enough to make him grin from ear to ear.
“I think we should leave at 9:45,” he suggested.
“Sure,” I responded blandly.
The next couple of hours were practically pointless.
The only thing productive I accomplished was saying goodbye to my family as they waited for their plane to leave Nashville International.
My nieces were so excited, I wondered how they would do on the plane.
I reminded them, though, that they promised to bring me back something pretty, like Prince Charming.
They giggled and promised they wouldn’t forget.
I wanted to talk to Amanda and Zane about what Delfia had told me, but I was afraid I would be overheard, and I didn’t need anyone else telling me I should be with Mr. Greyson this morning.
Instead, I said my goodbyes and told them I loved them.
I already missed them.
At 9:30, I freshened up and tried to do some relaxation techniques before Mr. Greyson came to retrieve me. I was more nervous about driving with him than presenting before a billion-dollar institution—an institution that could put my software on the map if we played our cards right.
9:45 came and went. It was very unlike Mr. Greyson to be late, he was often early, so at 9:50 I thought maybe there was a miscommunication, and he was waiting on me.
I only needed to grab my purse since he was driving, and we were using his laptop this go-around.
I walked out of my office to find no Delfia.
I looked over to see that Mr. Greyson’s door was closed, and I figured she was in there receiving orders.
I smiled to myself thinking about how much she loved that.
In my happy thoughts, I didn’t think, I just walked over and opened Mr. Greyson’s door to tell him we were going to be late, and he could bark orders later, but opening that door unannounced was a horrible reminder of why knocking was so very, very important.
I stood there stunned at the scene before me. Ms. Manselle had nothing to worry about from the looks of it. I think her plan was falling right into place. Their lips were locked as she sat on his desk, holding onto his red tie.
“We’re late!” I shouted louder than I meant to.
Mr. Greyson pushed Ms. Manselle away, almost knocking her off his desk. “Kelli,” he said.
I slammed the door and ran toward the stairs.
I would drive myself if I could manage it.
The nauseous, rolling feeling was back, and I felt a little lightheaded.
How dare he act so pompous and self-righteous and then come in here and make out with his floozy on company time.
He was the biggest idiot, and she was playing him like a fool.
I barely remember making it outside to my car.
As I rifled through my purse, I realized I should have remembered something else, my car keys.
How could this be happening? We were going to be late for the most important meeting of my career, and it was entirely his fault.
I marched myself back toward the office, all while trying not to cry.
In my haste, I ran into him, and he grabbed my arm.
“Ms. Bryant, where are you going?”
I yanked my arm away. “I’m going to get my keys.” I stormed off, only to be pulled back. I stared directly into his wide eyes. “Don’t touch me.”
He dropped his hand. “Please, we’re going to be late.”
“And whose fault is that?” I yelled unprofessionally.
“Please,” he pleaded with his tone and eyes.
“Ugh!” I turned and walked toward his car.
He ran after me, and he was smart enough not to open my door. Instead, he hit the unlock button on his key fob. I got in and immediately turned to look out my window. I hated him.
We drove in silence for several minutes.
“Can we please talk about what happened?” he asked.
I turned toward him, and the sight of him made me snap. “Yes, let’s talk.”
He glanced at me warily.
“How does this work for you? I quit!”
“Why?” he spluttered while trying to stay focused on the road.
“Are you kidding me? You’ve done nothing but belittle me, and then you bring your girlfriend on board so you can have rendezvous with her at your convenience in your office.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that woman is not my girlfriend?” he yelled back.
I had this desire to smack him. “Whatever, Mr. Greyson, but by the way, she’s playing you like the fool you are. You deserve each other.”
“For the last time, I don’t want her!”
“Wow! I better get my vision checked then, because from my point of view, it looked like you already had her.”
He glanced over. “What you witnessed in my office was a misunderstanding.”
A maniacal laugh escaped me. “What? You tripped and your lips fell on hers I suppose?”
“Why does this bother you so much?”
“It’s completely unprofessional!” Wasn’t that obvious to him?
“I don’t think that’s what’s bothering you.” His voice was calm, cool, and collected. “I’m sure that wasn’t the first kiss you’ve ever witnessed in that office.”
So maybe it wasn’t. I had seen Holly and Boss kiss lots of times in there, but that’s beside the point. They were married, and you know, he’s the owner and not hypocritical, and oh man, did that sound lame in my head. “Please quit talking to me,” I responded.
He had the gall to laugh at me as I turned back toward the window and folded my arms in a huff.
“Can’t you admit what this is really about?”
I ignored him. I had no idea what he meant. Or did I?
Like always, though, he couldn’t leave it alone as he sped toward our destination. “By the way, congratulations.”
I turned toward him. “What does that mean?”
“You’re the new director.”
I didn’t even know how to respond to his sick joke.
“I promised Gary if you ever decided to resign during my tenure, I would leave Chandler.”
I sat stunned for a moment more. “Why would you do that?”
He took one hand off the wheel and threw it up in the air. “Why do you think? Maybe you should get your vision checked.”
“Well maybe . . .” I started to say, but suddenly I felt myself being pushed back by Mr. Greyson, and the last sound I heard was him screaming my name and the sound of tires screeching.