Chapter 43
Chapter Forty-Three
Being back at Permian feels weird.
It’s a strange kind of disorientation to return to a place you thought you’d never see again. Especially when your departure was as heartbreaking as mine.
The ground still sparkles as if it’s been recently buffed, and the scent of champagne dances in the air. The familiarity almost makes me feel nostalgic, remembering the first time I entered Permian for my interview.
My puffy, pink winter coat stood out against the dark gray walls, but I was ready to wow the internship coordinator.
Little did I know, the interviewer, with his booming voice and blinding smile, was also the CEO, Winston McAllen.
When I left his office over an hour later, I wanted nothing more than to be on his team.
I loved this place, even if it never loved me back.
The sharp click of my heels echoes throughout the empty lobby until I reach the scanner. I brace for rejection as I press my badge to it, but when the light blinks green and the lock releases, a sigh of relief slips out.
Cade, the girls, and Kenneth offered to clean out my office for me, but I need to do this myself.
Quitting wasn’t a mistake, so I won’t treat it like one.
A bittersweet smile tugs at my lips as I push open my office door, knowing it’ll be the last time I ever walk through it.
The energy drink I sipped on the morning before the company BBQ has sweated out onto the wood, leaving behind a ring that I’ll think about for the next ten business days.
The little room is more lifeless than I remember, and I’m struck by an odd sense of delight to be leaving.
For so long, I wanted this to be my place, but it wasn’t meant to be.
I drop the large box onto my desk. “Better get started.”
I’m knee-deep in papers and pens, boxing up what seems like a decade of work, when a knock startles me. The light’s off and the door’s closed, so I hope they assume I’m not here and leave. This was supposed to be my quiet goodbye, but the hinges squeak, and I glance up as the door opens.
“Oh. Hi, Winston.”
When he flips the light switch, the easygoing smile I’m accustomed to is missing. This isn’t the CEO I enjoyed working under for the last year and a half.
“Turner.” He clears his throat. “I saw your car and wanted to see if you had a moment. I won’t take much of your time.”
Winston has been nothing but kind to me, so I oblige.
I stand to clear the chair across from me that’s piled high with colored folders, but he beats me to it. My colleagues preferred digital notes, but I love a good hard copy that I can feel between my fingers and doodle on. Now I get to take home data to refer to in the future.
He lifts them with ease, but pauses and looks down at the blue folder on top. “You were doing work for Deshawn Miller?”
I nod. “He was Trevor’s client, but I was his main contact for non-emergent issues after his injury and surgery. The transition was rough for him, so I attended physical therapy with him. Emotional support and all.”
Deshawn has texted a few times. After getting cleared to return to basketball, he dove into preparing for preseason, and I’ve been cheering him on from afar.
His lips pinch. “I wish I would’ve known that.”
I take a seat. “What did you want to talk about, Winston?”
“Yes, sorry. I wanted to reach out earlier, but I needed to take care of some things first.” The look in his tired eyes is wild. “There’s an ongoing investigation happening, and I need your input before making any final decisions.”
“Investigation? About what?”
He bows his head. “About the way you were treated while working at Permian. Trevor’s been put on probation.”
Everything stops for a moment as Winston and I stare at each other. There’s no way those words came out of his mouth.
“Probation.” The word feels weird to say.
Come on, Shay. Say something better than that.
I straighten. “It’s about fucking time.”
There’s no point in trying to hide my outburst, but thankfully, Winston laughs.
“That’s the reaction I was expecting.” Before I can join his laughter, he grows serious.
“I had quite a few people tell me what went on for the last two years between you two. I knew Trevor wasn’t the easiest guy to be around, but he always had a solid handle on teaching newer agents.
I should’ve checked in on you more, and I’m sorry for letting you down. ”
“I appreciate that,” I say. “It’s—”
“It’s not okay. As the CEO of Permian, my job was to make sure you felt safe.
I’m sorry you had to experience that.” An exhale cuts through the tension.
“I remember when you first walked in here for your interview. By the time you were back in your car, I was already drafting your offer for the internship. If I could’ve, I would’ve offered you a full-time position on the spot.
On the first day of your internship, I told Trevor there was a full-time position with your name on it.
I guess he took that as a threat.” Winston places something in front of me.
“You’ve got a lot of good people in your corner who care about you.
The discrimination against you was verified by many sources, and it was easy to launch an investigation.
Trevor’s termination is imminent. He will never work at Permian again. Which is why I’m here.”
The manilla folder he slides across the table is thin, and my mouth falls open when I read the first page. “A contract?”
He nods. “I’m in the market for a senior agent and would love to have you, if you’re interested.”
The typed offer looks too good to be true. “But it requires many more years of experience than I have.”
“Sure, but you’re the perfect person for the job.
I’ve watched you grow and mature into the agent you are today.
When I didn’t see your name on the promotion list, I was shocked, but didn’t want to give you any special treatment by asking.
It’s clear I should’ve, but that’s behind us now.
Moving forward, there’s nobody I’d rather have to fill the position, so I hope you take it into consideration.
Of course, I’m sure the world is desperate for their shot at Shaylene Turner. ”
Maybe, but none of them are in North Carolina.
None are close to Cade.
This position is here.
Closing the file, I look up. I’ve always wanted to work somewhere I’d be respected, have autonomy, and not dread coming to work.
With Trevor gone, that could be my new reality at Permian.
“Would I be able to work closely with clients? Trevor had so many that I managed the day-to-day and more basic tasks, but I like talking to my clients.”
“That’s why you’re good at your job. You care.” His smile is thin as his head shakes. “But probably not. It’ll be difficult for you to manage every aspect on your own since you’ll be overseeing many more clients than your current load allows. A junior agent would handle those things for you.”
“Is that normal? To not be able to do everything for them?”
“Sadly, yes. In this field, the bigger you are, the harder it is to do everything. It’s part of the growing process. Moving up and forward. But it’s worth celebrating.”
Winston is standing here, giving me the opportunity to get my clients back, but I might not even be able to represent them the way I want to.
What about suit shopping for Brett? Or helping Holly through yet another nightmare of a date.
When Lionel locks himself out of his social media once a month, who’s going to help him reset his password and save it in a special file folder?
Who will answer Victoria’s questions about throwing themed parties?
Will I be able to answer Delilah’s messages about which home decoration to buy at the thrift store?
He chuckles, and I almost think he can see the questions bouncing around in my brain.
“Take your time on the decision. I’ll be here when you’re ready.
” At the door, he grabs the knob and looks back.
“And good on Cade for coming forward about Jon Sweeney. I heard Garrett dropped him the moment the article was released.”
My heart swells at the reminder of Cade’s bravery. Jon has officially been booted out of Cade’s life. The world knows the truth, and Cade can finally rest easy.
I should accept the job offer right now. It’s exactly what I want. Right? More pay. More success. More prestige.
So why can’t I speak? This is the chance to have it all.
Maybe not my version, but the dream version.
But is it what I want? Having a personal relationship with every client is special to me.
It’s how I learn about them and can be there for them, and if having thirty of them means I can’t do that, will I be happy?
I stand. “I can’t take the job. Being with my clients every step of the way is what matters to me. Which means I need to do my own thing.”
Cade was right. Over the last week, I played with the idea of opening my own practice, and this solidifies it.
Pride radiates from every single one of Winston’s smile lines. “I had a feeling you’d say that. Email me if you ever need a reference. I can’t wait to see what you do out there.”