Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
CHARLOTTE
After landing in San Diego, I debated going straight home instead of into the office. Traffic was already stacking up, and the idea of my couch and a glass of wine was more appealing than continuing the workday.
But a message from Rosie cemented my decision to go into the office. The owners wanted to see me.
I hadn’t expected the brothers in the office this week, and their sudden appearance could only mean one thing: they were ready to announce their decision.
Nerves kicked in. I glanced at my phone, but there was no message from Gabriel.
A strange mix of relief and disappointment twisted through me. I was the one who’d insisted we keep work and whatever this was separate, especially while the decision hung over us. But I’d also missed him these last couple of days.
The building was nearly empty by the time my Uber dropped me off. I left my carry-on in my office and paused at Gabriel’s darkened doorway. A hollow ache pressed into my ribs. Had he already met with them? Had he already been named CEO?
He deserved it. He was smart, driven, a natural leader.
I would be happy for him. That’s what I told myself even as a pit hollowed out in my stomach.
Because no one had bled for Arrow the way I had.
No one knew the company, the client portfolio, and people like I did.
And I’d nailed the interview. Every question. I was the right person for this job.
But there was more than one right choice. And I’d try to make peace with that realization.
Rosie greeted me outside the executive conference room with a kind smile. I handed over my phone, that small ritual of surrender, and squared my shoulders for whatever awaited.
“Charlotte, welcome,” Reggie greeted warmly. Ronald’s gaze was hooded, unreadable.
We exchanged pleasantries. Small talk about New York and the two clients I’d met with. The easy stuff. Then Reggie’s next words made my skin prickle.
“Have you spoken with Gabriel?”
“No, not since yesterday afternoon for a catch-up,” I responded carefully.
Ronald’s look toward his brother was heavy before he answered. “We met with him earlier. Unfortunately, Arrow has parted ways with him.”
“May I ask why?”
Reggie gave a long, theatrical sigh. “He didn’t take the news that he wasn’t chosen as CEO very well. And when he started throwing you under the bus, we knew it was over.”
Ice laced my veins. “Threw me under the bus how?”
Reggie adjusted his collar. “He claimed Julian made you uncomfortable in San Francisco at dinner, and it would never happen with him. Because he’s a man.”
“He said that?” The floor was tilting beneath me.
Ronald leaned in, lips curling. “He even went so far as to say Julian propositioned you causing you to be physically sick afterward. Is that true?”
Not only had Gabriel broken his promise of silence, he’d betrayed me by weaponizing it. I forced a brittle smile. “It was nothing I couldn’t handle. Has Julian complained?”
Reggie shook his head. “On the contrary, he sings your praises. But it’s troubling, Charlotte. Disturbing to see Gabriel act so unprofessionally.”
Disturbing. Yes. But not only for the reasons they thought.
“Anyhow, if you ask me, Gabriel’s ego was too big. HR has it handled with the paperwork, and security, of course, has ensured his access has been removed.”
I was barely listening, my head nodding automatically as their words blurred together. The room felt too warm.
“Best to steer clear of him,” Ronald added casually. “He was quite angry you were still in the running.”
The words snagged, slow to register. Still in the running?
“Wait. In the running?” I repeated, my voice tighter than I meant it to be. “I thought—” I stopped myself before blurting out that I thought I had the job. “I assumed since Gabriel didn’t get the job, you’d made your choice.”
Considering my sources had indicated it was down to the two of us, it was a logical leap to assume I’d gotten the job.
Reggie smiled. “We haven’t made a final decision yet. Gabriel’s reaction… Well, it only confirmed our instincts were on target to take a little more time.”
“I see.”
Ronald nodded, always the echo. “We’ve narrowed the pool, though. Probably one more round of interviews.”
One more round? Every indication had suggested this was the final phase.
Reggie stood, signaling the meeting was over. “We’ll be in touch soon, Charlotte. And hopefully it goes without saying that we appreciate everything you do.”
A rare compliment, especially from him. But it slid right past me, dulled by my swirling emotions over Gabriel’s actions. I managed a polite smile anyway. “Of course. It’s a pleasure.”
My voice sounded steadier than I felt.
By the time the Uber dropped me off in front of my house, exhaustion pressed me flat.
I’d expected to feel disappointment about the postponement of my promotion.
Instead, all I could think about was Gabriel.
How I’d let myself hope he’d be different.
That he wouldn’t use my vulnerability as leverage.
He’d texted me while I was in the meeting, followed by a call. I ignored both. I didn’t want to hear it.
I thanked the driver and turned toward the house before stopping cold.
Gabriel sat on my front step, elbows on his knees, head lifting the moment he saw me.
For a beat, I just stood there, the weight of the day pressing down until I could hardly breathe. I straightened my shoulders, forcing a composure I didn’t feel, and started up the walk.
“Charlotte.” Gabriel met me halfway, his expression open and earnest. “I’m so damn glad to see you. We need to talk.”
He stepped forward, reaching for me, hugging me tight.
When I didn’t reciprocate, he pulled away, his head cocking to the side. “What’s going on? Did you get my texts and voicemail? They took my phone, so I had to stop and get a new one. It took over an hour to get everything transferred over, and it delayed me calling you.”
I barely registered what he was saying. “I was busy meeting with the owners.”
He searched my face, his voice careful. “Okay…and what did they say?”
“How about you go first?” My tone came out cold and detached although my pulse was anything but.
His brow furrowed. “They called me in and offered me the CEO job. And when I mentioned I’d thought you were the frontrunner, they said they’d never put a woman in the CEO seat.”
A disbelieving laugh left my throat. “That doesn’t even make sense. They offered you the job and somehow you’re fired?”
His jaw clenched. “Why would I lie?”
“Oh, I don’t know,” I snapped, my voice cutting through the space between us. “Maybe the same reason you broke my confidence and told them everything about San Francisco and Julian.”
Color crept up his neck, and his jaw tightened. “It’s not what you think. I was defending you.”
“Bullshit.” The word cracked out before I could stop it. “You were angry when they told you the job wasn’t yours, and you needed someone to blame. So you dragged me down with you.”
His expression was furious. “I don’t know what kind of bullshit they fed you, but why on earth would I do that to anyone? Let alone the woman I’m in love with?”
I froze, refusing to let the words take root. “I think we both know.”
Because the CEO seat mattered more to him than I ever would.
His expression hardened, all the warmth bleeding out.
“If you’d rather believe the worst because you have trust issues, then fine.
But tell me this, Charlotte. Are you the new CEO?
After they fed you these lies about me and about what actually happened during my meeting with them, did they offer you the job? ”
My silence was answer enough.
“Yeah,” he bit out. “That’s what I thought. Have fun being their placeholder until they hand it to some man who won’t give a damn how they treat you.”
Before I could respond, he spun on his heel and strode down the walk to his car. Down the street, the slam of his car door echoed in the night.
He was gone.