Chapter 27 #2
“Last summer, when Jasper was in London during Sloan’s annual sailing trip, we spent a lot of time together.
I was going through a difficult time, and he was there for me.
” I swallowed hard at the memory. They didn’t get to hear about my dad.
“Things developed from there, but considering the distance and our positions, we decided to end things when he went home to LA.”
This wasn’t easy, but I could tell that Jasper was beyond proud of me. We were partners.
“When I transferred to LA—” I turned to look at Sloan “—I chose to do so because I love my job. Because I wanted to continue to support Sloan. But I also wanted to be closer to my parents, who live on the West Coast.”
The board turned to Sloan. “Did you know about this?” Leith asked.
She shook her head. “I only found out about their relationship earlier this weekend. And I can attest to the fact that it has not negatively impacted their working relationship or the company.”
“But you were out on maternity leave,” someone said. “How would you even know?”
Sloan squared her shoulders. Oh boy. She was pissed now. I tried not to laugh because that board member had clearly underestimated Sloan.
“I may not have been in the office, but I kept a close eye on things. The numbers for the past quarter will show you that the company is doing better than ever. But even more than that, I can see how Jasper and the company have thrived, even in my absence. Not to mention the fact that he took on this new role without a second SVP and while Graham was developing the new Fleur-de-lis line.”
There were murmurs of agreement. But I knew this was far from over.
“I think it would be best if we speak to each of you alone,” Leith said, addressing Jasper and me. “Jasper, could you please leave us?”
Jasper looked to me, seeking confirmation that I was okay. Only after I nodded did he head for the door. He lingered at the threshold, and I could only imagine how strange it was for him to walk out of a meeting that impacted him and his company.
“Halle,” Leith said once the door was closed. “First of all, I want to make sure you’re comfortable. I know this isn’t an easy topic to discuss, and as much as we respect your privacy, there are certain questions I am required to ask.”
I nodded. While I appreciated the sentiment, I was filled with unease.
I wasn’t sure there was any way to make this conversation less comfortable.
Pierce had spoken with me over the weekend, coaching me on what might be asked and how I might answer.
But it still hadn’t prepared me for the reality of talking about my love life in a room full of people I worked for or answered to.
Not to mention the fact that Jasper’s family was present. Oh god.
“I think it would be best to start by asking the family to choose one representative to remain.”
I shook my head. “It’s fine.”
“We don’t want you to feel intimidated by their presence.”
“I’m not.” Besides, they already knew pretty much everything. That conversation had been uncomfortable but necessary. Much like I anticipated this would be.
“Then, if everyone is in agreement—” Leith glanced around the room, confirming everyone’s position “—I will proceed.”
Since no one dissented, it was time to begin.
“Halle, Jasper is your superior at work. It is understandable that you might feel a power imbalance. Did he ever pressure you to do something you weren’t comfortable with?”
“No.” I stated it firmly, clearly. “If anything, I am the one who instigated our relationship.”
They pressed me on that, and god, was it embarrassing to admit what had happened in front of everyone.
Especially my boss, Jasper’s sister, and his entire family.
But Leith kept pressing, digging into the timeline, the circumstances.
How we’d gotten together. How we’d ended things. Why we’d ended things.
And then what had happened since. The timeline of events since I’d relocated. If I’d relocated with the intent of resuming my relationship with Jasper. On and on it went. It was exhausting, but I tried to remain calm and cool throughout.
“Have you ever sought to use your influence over him to advance your career?” Leith asked.
“No,” I said again. “I know it may not seem like it, considering the reason for this meeting, but professionalism matters to me. This job and this company matter to me. And I would never intentionally do anything to compromise that.”
There were some muffled whispers, and I tried to ignore them. Ignore the doubters. The haters. I knew the truth of what had happened, and I tried to keep my head held high. I had nothing to be ashamed of.
“Do you feel that your relationship with Jasper played a role in your temporary promotion?”
Sloan opened her mouth, as if to object, but then stopped when Graham placed a hand on her arm. I appreciated that she wanted to defend me, even if it was unnecessary.
“I’d like to think that my temporary promotion was a recognition of the value I bring to this company and everyone’s faith in me to perform the role.
I’ve been with the company for five years,” I continued.
“And in that time, I’ve successfully driven strategic initiatives, cross-functional collaboration, and enhanced executive effectiveness.
During my time as SVP, I’ve been able to leverage those skills to provide even more value to the brand.
So, no, I don’t think my relationship with Jasper played a role in my temporary promotion.
And I believe my success as a temporary SVP shows that. ”
“Why did you not come forward sooner to declare your relationship?”
“Because I was scared.”
“Of Jasper?”
I nearly laughed aloud at the suggestion. “Of how it would be perceived. How it would impact the company.”
“Not to mention how it might impact your job.”
“That too.” There was no point denying it. “I’ve worked hard to get to where I am. And I don’t think I should be punished for falling in love.”
“Can you think of a time that your professional integrity was compromised by your personal relationship with Jasper?”
I rolled my lips between my teeth. I could think of a few times that we’d been reckless. Sex in Jasper’s office, to name one. But not when it came to making decisions that affected the company.
If I disagreed with Jasper, I let him know. And he respected me for it. He encouraged it.
“No. If anything, I feel more invested than ever in the Huxley brand. I know how passionate and dedicated Jasper is to the company, and he inspires me on a daily basis.”
Sloan stood. “And that is exactly why I’d like to move that Halle be promoted to SVP permanently.
She handled the role with ease while I was out on maternity leave, and she’s been ready for this position for even longer.
She deserves to be recognized for her contributions to the company.
And we need someone in the role we can count on. Halle is that person.”
I… Wow. I was honored that she thought I was ready to take on such a big role in the company permanently. And it was reassuring that she still felt so strongly about it, despite the fact that I’d been dating her brother—the CEO—in secret for all these months.
“Seconded,” Graham said.
Leith cleared his throat, his eyebrows twitching. “First, the board needs to vote on whether there was a conflict of interest. And if so, what action should be taken. Then we can approach any other matters, based on the outcome.”
Sloan inclined her head, and my stomach lurched, threatening to expel my meager breakfast.
Leith turned back to me. “Were you aware that you were being considered for a permanent promotion as SVP?”
“Not until more recently,” I said. “Though it makes sense that Sloan would use the temporary promotion as a trial run.”
“You’ve given us a lot to consider,” Leith said. “Halle, could you please step out while we deliberate?”
I excused myself, heading back down the hall toward Jasper’s office. The door was open, and I knocked on the frame. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He glanced up from his desk. “How’d it go?”
I shut the door behind me. “About as well as expected.”
I gave him a quick rundown. All morning, I’d tried to remain calm. But I was officially freaking out. I stood and started pacing along the windows in Jasper’s office.
“Halle,” Jasper said, coming over to me. “It’s going to be okay, love.”
“Is it?” I felt incredibly exposed and vulnerable now that the truth of our relationship was out there. It was freeing in a way, but I also felt as if I was in a free fall. I wasn’t sure where I’d land or if I’d even survive the drop.
“Give me your hand,” he said, and I placed my hand in his. He rubbed the bare spot on my left ring finger, and I knew he was thinking about marriage. About our future.
No matter what happened today, our relationship would survive. And I had faith that, together, we could overcome any obstacle.
He slid his fingers down to my wrist, clasping it lightly as he tilted my hand so my fingers were pointed toward the ceiling. “Breathe in.” He traced the outside of my pinkie finger, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Good,” he coaxed in a soothing tone. “Now, breathe out,” he said after cresting the tip of my pinkie finger.
“In.” He traced up the side of my ring finger, and I could feel some of the tension easing from my body. “Then out.”
He continued the exercise until he’d finished tracing all the fingers of my left hand.
Finally, slowly, he lifted my hand to his mouth to kiss each and every one of my fingertips.
The entire time, his eyes remained locked on mine.
In that moment, I forgot about everything else. It was just the two of us.
“I love you.”
He smiled. “I love you, Halle.”