Page 14 of Without Apology

After parking in the garage, I walked the short distance over to the fourteen-story glass building and took the elevator up to the sixth floor. While strolling in, I called good morning to the people who were already here in the head-height cubicles throughout the space. Only those with the status of directors and above had offices lining the walls.

My office wasn’t especially big, but it had a window and room for at least two other people to come and sit in front of my desk. It wasn’t as neat and clean as it probably should be, but then, who had time for filing? I enjoyed my quiet mornings because I could look at my calendar and sip my coffee while trying to figure out my day.

But Megan wasted no time coming in and shutting the door behind her. “Well, did you make a decision?”

“Yes. I applied for the CFO position on Saturday.”

She practically squealed before fist pumping the air and doing what could only be described as a poorly constructed, pregnant woman’s version of a jig. “Thank God. It was in time, right?”

“I’m assuming so since the job was still posted. But I’m hoping to talk to George about it while he’s here today, in any case. If he can’t make an exception to the long-distance travel, then it’s a moot point to go through the interview process.”

Only a few people, including Megan, knew about my petrifying fear of flying and the circumstances behind it.

She frowned. “That would be a really stupid reason not to give the most qualified candidate the job. If he gives CFO to that fucking fuck, Jeff, I’ll lose all faith in karma.”

I laughed at her colorful language until my cell phone buzzed with a text flashing up on the screen. I grabbed it quickly off the desk and, seeing Simon’s number, broke out in a grin.

“Counting the days until Friday.”

“Holy shit. I’ve never seen that kind of expression on your face. Who is he?”

I looked up, blinking twice at Megan, having completely forgotten she was here and observing my reaction. “Um, someone I met on Friday. Then we had a date Saturday.”

“It must’ve been some date, judging from the look on your face.”

“Yeah. It was nice.” It had been so effortless to be with him, especially for a first date. Not only was he interesting, but he also seemed to get my sense of humor.

“The sparkle phase is always the best. No worries, no fighting—just getting to know one another.”

“Are you saying it doesn’t get any better?” She’d been married for ten years to her college sweetheart.

“It does get better, but it gets harder, too.” She patted her baby belly. “But I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Anyhow, I was hoping you’d have the scoop on the owner being here today. You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear you applied for the CFO position. Gives me hope I might not have to look for a new job.”

It was the last thing I wanted her to worry about; she had enough anxiety regarding her baby. They’d tried for years without success, making this truly a miracle pregnancy. That’s why I’d ultimately done it. In the CFO role, I’d be able to protect my staff from a horrible manager like Jeff.

After Megan left my office, I responded to Simon’s text, writing that I was also excited for Friday.

Not getting the dots back right away on my phone screen, I figured he was already into his busy day. Meanwhile, I needed to get to mine. I perused my email and thought it strange that George hadn’t scheduled anything with me for today. Or even let me know he’d be in. Normally, he did. If Jeff was already selected for CFO, Megan wasn’t the only one who’d need to start looking for another job.

However, given my inheritance from my parents was still sitting in the bank, I could take some time off if I wanted to. I’d always been frugal about the money. Now it sounded quite good, actually, to sleep in, take Cooper to the park every day, and finally get to those various projects I’d always wanted to do around my cute, little house.

When I saw George come through my door, I snapped out of my fantasy of early retirement and smiled.

“Good morning, Peyton. Looking lovely as ever. How are you, my dear?”

I loved that, despite wearing a suit, the man always wore cowboy boots. The bolo tie completed his ensemble.

I stood up, taking his offered hand. “I’m great, George. I’d heard you might be in today.”

“I didn’t want a fuss, so I only told HR I was coming in as I need to sign some things.”

If Jeff was sleeping with the new HR girl, that would explain how he’d known on Friday that the owner would be here.

George seemed tired, with less energy than he normally portrayed.

“How are you? How are Carol and your grandkids?” I asked.

He shut my door, which gave me pause. Then he took a seat in my guest chair. “Wonderful. Matter of fact, I’m taking the whole family to Hawaii in a few months.”

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