Chapter 29 #3
“As okay as I can be after having my life turned upside down. Twice.” Maybe more.
“The early buzz on the calendar from the promotional people is incredible. At last report, there are stores that stopped carrying calendars reaching out in hopes of securing hundreds if not thousands of copies. We’ll have the proof in a couple days, and I can’t wait to see it.”
“Great.” We’d been gone two weeks. Two weeks.
The time had flown and yet I was still in a fog.
Eric had demanded we return so we could work on the project from the office, pushing us to finish, which we had.
I knew why. There was a big rift with the investors, which had spilled over into the other major shareholders.
With personnel changes, it would appear the rumor mills had it that another company was trying for a hostile takeover and that could happen based on loans yet to be paid on time. No, I wasn’t in the know, but I could tell when a company was in trouble. Eric had been in a shitty mood.
I’d tried to talk him into allowing me to stay for another couple of weeks in Missoula, but he’d refused to entertain the idea.
So I’d made my goodbyes in one day. One day after the amazing birthday party. I’d been forced to rent a car just so I could get home. Thankfully, I’d found another Jeep, although I missed my old one. Everything was back to normal.
Except it wasn’t. At least not in my mind.
The only reason Damon hadn’t experienced a complete meltdown was Zorro. Who was already an issue in the apartment, but the cage helped. So did having a way too expensive babysitter who had a yard where Zorro could run and with school still being out, it was a necessity.
But I could tell my little man missed Steel. So did I. Enough that every time his name crossed my mind I ached.
But what was I supposed to do? Moving was risky and we weren’t a permanent couple. I wasn’t certain what we were since the last words we’d spoken had been terse.
“There’s talk about reprints already,” she continued.
“Fantastic.”
“Your hair is on fire.”
I drummed my fingers on the desk, staring out the window. “What?” Laughing, I snapped my head toward her. “What did you say? Something about a fire?”
“Yeah, inside that big head of yours. You’re not even here. Why are you here?”
“You mean sitting at my desk? I work here. At least I do unless Eric is ready to fire me.”
She folded her arms. “He’s not going to fire you. He needs you. So does that man back there in cowboy land.”
“Please. Steel doesn’t need anyone. He told me to leave.”
“Because all men have hard heads.”
“That’s true. This is where I live. Where Damon grew up.”
“You can start over. You’re not happy here.”
I laughed. “When have I been happy?”
“Every time you were on the phone with me calling from Missoula.”
My glare deepened. “Are you suggesting I move?”
“Maybe. What I’m saying is that you need to follow your heart for a change.”
What was it about Eric’s uncanny timing? I could tell by Brenda’s eyes that he was right behind us.
“Ms. Livingston. I need to see you in my office.”
“Oh, brother,” Brenda whispered.
With a grimace on my face, I stood. “If I come out screaming, be prepared to leave with me.”
She giggled, fighting not to.
I kept my back straight as I walked to his office, automatically closing the door behind me. There he was at the window again just like he’d been before altering my life for good.
The silence was the same. His stiffness was the same.
But I wasn’t the same. Not by a long shot.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Dannon?” As expected, he took a full minute before he answered.
“I asked you this before, Violet. Do you like working here?”
Maybe my answer was also different. “For the most part, yes.”
“For the most part. I could always count on your being honest. That’s an excellent trait. Are there a list of things you would change?”
“Yes.”
He turned around, nodding as he did. “As you might be aware, there have been significant changes recently. We’re going through some… growing pains. As such, I need to have the best employees surrounding me. Changes are needed. I’ll be the first to admit that.”
Well, it would appear my life would be in upheaval again.
He continued staring at me. “Which is why I’m prepared to offer you the position of vice president of operations.
You’re highly respected, well liked, have an excellent sense of the changes needed, and are willing to speak your mind.
I need someone with those qualities by my side.
As you might imagine, that will come with a significant increase in your salary.
The offer on the table is half a million with benefits and additional perks. ”
I resisted choking. A half a million. The same amount my ex had offered me. How coincidental.
After listing a few perks, he tilted his head. “What do you say, Ms. Livingston? Can I count on you to join the executive team?”
“You’re not happy here,” Brenda had told me.
“Mom, why are we leaving Missoula? You’re happy here.”
Interesting.
“Mr. Dannon. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to think about it.”