Chapter Twenty-Nine
D ebs looked up at the knock on her door, expecting to see Janet. Her mood instantly soured when instead she was greeted by Joel.
“Mr Marshall, what can I do for you?”
“Mr Marshall? Are we really there?” he said, strolling into the office despite not being invited.
“You’re a business associate, so yes. Is there an issue with your project?”
“No, everything seems to be running very smoothly. Despite not having the best on my account anymore.”
“Firstly, I believe it’s Mr Jenkins’ account, not yours. And secondly, Grace is one of my best and has been on the account since the beginning. Jenkins seems perfectly happy with the work my team is providing. So again, how can I help you?”
“Really, Debs? We’re doing this?”
Debs stood behind her desk, giving her the subtle boost she needed. It was her power move, one she rarely needed to pull these days. Back when she was a young woman in a man’s world, where people thought she was weak and could push her over, she needed it a lot, but now, respect came with experience.
“Apparently so. Unless there is an issue with the business my company is delivering, there is no need for you to be here.”
“Look, I’m sorry. I was disrespectful before, and that was wrong of me.” His body language softened, but Debs wasn’t going to fall for it. While she was forgiving, there was still no reason to open herself up to being ridiculed or fall back into this trap. Joel was nothing more than a business associate, Debs had no obligation to him, and this was her business. Her domain.
“Firstly, in this building, this business, you will speak to and treat everyone with respect. I don’t care if it’s me or one of my team—everyone gets treated the same. Secondly, I was only on your boss’s account as a personal courtesy because he is a long-standing associate. There are a number of people on my team who are more than capable of dealing with what this account requires, and they will do an excellent job. And lastly, you do not get to walk in here and insinuate something about me, my marriage, my life when you don’t know me. I owe you nothing. Now leave my office.”
She watched as Joel’s jaw clenched, the muscle feathering as he barely contained his rage. Debs had always suspected that he was entitled, that he probably hadn’t been told no much in his life. The way he walked around with that swagger, like he thought he owned any room he entered, had irritated her from their first meeting, but now, seeing that her assessment of him was probably more accurate than she anticipated, she felt vindication in her dressing down of him. She really wasn’t in the habit of pulling out the boss-bitch card, it wasn’t her style. It never had been; she had always preferred to lead by example. Sure, she had to stand her ground, but this attitude… This one was something she rarely brought out.
“You’ll be hearing from Jenkins about this. He won’t be happy.”
“Jenkins is fine with it. I spoke to him last week and explained I was stepping back.”
“Scr—”
“Careful, Mr Marshall. I haven’t told Jenkins the full reason why I handed this over to Grace. I’m giving you the good grace to walk away and learn from this experience. Take it.”
Debs watched as his fists clenched, and for a second, she wondered if Joel Marshall had the common sense and decency to walk away or whether his attitude would get the better of him. But with a final clearing of his throat, he pulled his shoulders back, turned, and walked out of her office. Debs slumped back in her chair, exhaustion rolling over her.
Joel turning up was the last thing she needed this morning. Despite her own relationship moving forward, James had asked for an extra night with the kids tonight so he could introduce his new girlfriend at dinner. She was happy for him; she’d met the woman before, and she seemed good enough, and she was certain that the kids would like her. But the reminder of James being happy just brought her own thoughts back to Sienna.
She had spent the night listening to Sienna tossing and turning beside her, silent as she contemplated whether to say anything, to reach out and hold her hand, let her know without words that she was there, that she knew something was troubling her. She warred with herself about whether it would do any good, if her touch would give her that comfort she longed to give her, or whether it would be too much, too revealing for Sienna.
She must have fallen asleep at some point, waking to find the bed already empty, the sheets cold, but Sienna downstairs, coffee already made, staring out across the calm garden. The thunderstorm overnight had rid the air of its oppressive heat, but it felt like it was just as tense inside. She had promised herself then, that while letting Sienna have the space to talk was important, sometimes it was equally as necessary to push. Did Sienna understand that Debs wasn’t saying anything to give her the freedom and time to come to her own conclusion? That Debs was waiting? Waiting for her to talk, waiting for her to open up. But before she could say or do anything, Sienna turned around, giving her a tired smile and starting their day. And just like that, the moment had passed.
Debs really wished she had taken the moment. She didn’t know why she was so hesitant with Sienna. She wouldn’t be like this with Mica or Grace or even her children. But for some reason, she insisted to herself that she should be treading even more gently around Sienna. It made sense since she could see how fragile Sienna was in some respects, like she wasn’t sure if her words and actions were worth the time and effort it would take to voice them out loud. But now, Debs wondered if it was time for a change of perspective. If the time for gentle and silent reassurance was over, and it was time to push. Time to speak the unspoken concerns into the void that seemed to have grown in between them in the past few days. She wondered if this was it. The flame had flared so quickly, and maybe it was dying just as quickly.
But she wasn’t going to let it snuff out without a fight. Because no matter what, right now, she wanted Sienna. To hold her in her arms, to find comfort with each other, to seek solace after whatever their day had thrown at them.
She wanted to hold on and never let go.