Page 127 of Not That Into You

Recognizing Archie won’t change his mind, I fall back in my chair with a sigh. “Fine. Hopefully, the board won’t drag its heals.”

“My understanding is they won’t take long to decide.”

I narrow my eyes. “You know something.”

He shrugs. “I know the board has almost finished interviewing, and they already have a sense of who they want.”

“Who?”

He laughs humorlessly. “I don’t know, Cameron. I haven’t asked, and I won’t. But I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”

“Thanks for your support.”

“Please, Cameron. This meeting shows exactly why you’re not fit for the job. Going above Peters’s head? Because you know best?” He shakes his head. “You don’t have the right temperament for the job.”

“You think I’d be a better candidate if I were a doormat? A yes-man?”

“No. And that you don’t understand what’s needed simply proves my point.”

I stand up, more than done with this conversation. “Thank you for your time, Arch. I assume I’ll see you tonight.”

“You’re going to the Coronet dinner?”

“Of course, I’m going to the Coronet dinner.”

He cocks his head. “With Monica?”

My hackles rise. “No. She has to fly home. I’ll be going alone.”

“Hmm.”

I should sweep out of his office and shake off the entire conversation, but I can’t help myself. “What?”

“Tonight is important for your career, right? Since most of the board will be present?”

My teeth clench. “Right.”

“And your girlfriend can’t make it?”

“She has a family commitment.”

“As do you.”

“Your point?”

He shrugs. “If you really want to join the grownups in the C-suite, you’re going to have to stop playing in the sandbox. You can’t come to me or Father when you don’t get what you want. And you need a partner who will support you, who will be an asset rather than a liability or a passing fancy.”

My nostrils flare. “Monica isn’t a liability.” Or a passing fancy, but I refuse to dignify that with a response.

“She’s certainly not a help.”

“Fuck you, Archie.”

He shakes his head. “Always a pleasure, Cameron. Come back when you’ve grown up.”

I stride out of his office, holding my rage in check so I don’t give him the satisfaction of me storming out.

By the time I reach my office, my anger has gone from a boil to a simmer. Monica’s voice asking me why I put up with my family skitters across my mind. I believe in the company, but my family doesn’t make it easy to continue working here.

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