Page 5 of That Time I Kissed My Beachfront Boss

No.

My shoulders slump and all the air leaves my lungs. I avert my gaze to avoid the pity in Francine’s eyes. Were there this many clouds in the sky before? And why is the sun shrinking? Wait, no. That’s probably just the sad, slow shriveling of my formerly hopeful soul.

“I’m very sorry,” Francine murmurs, and I force myself to look at her again. Then I straighten my spine and hike my chin. I refuse to go down without a fight.

“May I ask why?”

She blows out a long breath. “As I said before, you’ve done a fine job handling Luxe’s website and social media campaigns.”

Fine. Hmm.

Fifteen minutes ago, I was striding across the lobby on my way to this meeting. The elevator mirrors reflected a face full of confidence and anticipation. I was busy manifesting my future. Failure wasn’t an option.

And I won’t fail now.

“I believe I’ve done better than just fine, Francine.”

“I don’t disagree with you.” She clears her throat. “But you must admit the scope of your responsibilities has been … a bit limited.” Her pursed lips shift into a smile. It’s measured and condescending. My boss is underestimating me. Like everyone else does.

Always.

“With all due respect, I’m overqualified for the role I’m currently in.”

“Perhaps,” she says. “But if I’m being honest, handling Luxe’s online presence is a bit superficial, don’t you think?”

“No, I do not think.” I fold my hands in my lap to keep them from flailing. “Branding is crucial to a place like Luxe. So is making sure the experience we tempt our guests with is authentic. You know I excel at both these things. And I would excel as Luxe’s new marketing manager.”

Her condescending smile falters on one side.

Come on, Liv. You’re getting to her. Sell yourself.

“As I said in my interview, I’ve got new strategies for email and content marketing, plus ideas for our online advertising campaigns. I also want to establish partnerships with some of the local shops here in town and expand our existing loyalty programs.”

Francine blinks, which is a relief. I was worried she might’ve been replaced by a pod person. “Plans. Ideas. Strategies.” She shakes her head. “That’s all well and good, but our team is looking for someone with actual managerial experience, which you don’t have.”

“Yet.”

“So we understand each other.” Her face creases with sympathy. I’ve been on the receiving end of this expression for as long as I can remember. Poor little Olivia getting ahead of herself again. My stomach goes hollow like it did the day I found out everyone in the eighth grade had voted on which McCoy triplet would die first in the zombie apocalypse …

I’ll give you three guesses who won.

“No, I don’t understand.” I lean forward, as if getting closer might change the outcome of Francine’s decision. “How am I supposed to gain enough experience to be trusted as one of your managers without the opportunity to manage in the first place?”

She releases a long, frustrated sigh. “It is a Catch-22, isn’t it?”

Man, I always hated that book.

I dig my nails through the material of my skirt and into my thighs. The tears prickling my eyes had better stay put. “At least tell me who the team decided to hire.” My chin quivers. Not today, waterworks. “Who’s going to be the new marketing manager?”

“Actually.” Francine looks down at her hands. “We’re keeping the posting open for now. Since this is a brand-new position—not one being vacated—we aren’t in any rush to fill it.”

“Oh.” I swallow hard. So the team didn’t choose someone over me.

They’re choosing nobody over me.

Francine allows her steepled fingers to fall and lifts her gaze. “Allow me to ask you something, Olivia.” She pushes her glasses higher on her nose. “Why did you apply for this job?”

“I … I …” My mind goes blank, like a whiteboard that’s just been erased. Before my interview, I’d prepared answers to every question imaginable. Now I’m coming up empty on the simplest one. “Because.” The word slips out and hovers there. Alone. Vulnerable.

---