Page 88 of Without Apology

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Peyton

I caught sight of it in the faces of my coworkers. Joy. Relief. Excitement.

Hell, Megan had tears in her eyes. Everyone around me was buzzing with the news I’d become the new CFO. George had come by my office before the announcement to ensure I would accept, but I’d still been in shock. It hadn’t sunk in yet. I’d spotted Simon in the back of the room, but then he’d disappeared. Although it wasn’t as if he could come up and give me a hug in front of everyone.

Now, as the day had passed and the clock turned five-thirty, I sat alone in my office with the door shut, badly in need of a shot of something to calm my growing anxiety. George had given me a bottle of Macallan 1851 whiskey as a gift. I could bet it was outrageously priced, but right now that didn’t matter. On the other hand, once I inhaled the scent of the aged whiskey, I realized a shot would be a crime as this was whiskey meant to be savored. So instead, I poured a bit into my coffee mug and sipped it slowly, letting the burn slide down my throat and into my belly. Fortunately, it was so smooth the burn was fleeting, but it did serve to relax me.

I glanced at the picture of my parents on my desk. Would my father be proud? Would my mother be worried I, too, would fall into the trap of work first, family second? I was conflicted. Part of me rejoiced that I’d gotten a position based on all of the hard work I’d done over the years. The other part feared what this job would mean if I ever wanted to start a family of my own.

The thought had me picture Simon. Then frown. We’d crossed over from the land of casual into something more serious, but to what end? Till the end of the week. On Friday he would come over to my sister’s house for a barbeque, and then by Saturday, he’d most likely be on a plane back to New York or his next assignment. Although I’d meant to keep my emotions tucked into the box labeled short term—no feelings allowed, they had snuck out and into the land of you’re going to be hurt come Saturday.

A knock on the door had me putting the bourbon away in my bag.

“Come in.”

It was Jeff, which surprised me. But when he shut my door, it put me on edge.

“I guess congratulations are in order.”

Funny how he’d phrased it that way. As if he was acknowledging congratulations should be given without actually giving them.

“Thank you.”

He glanced around my office, but he didn’t sit.

“I have to say I was shocked to hear you got on a plane and went to New York for the interview. I thought you didn’t fly.”

I had no qualms about bending the truth, believing he’d use it against me if he could. “I’m under the impression a lot of people had the same thought.”

He studied me, and I wondered what his game was.

“There’ll be a lot of changes. A lot more work for you. Guess you won’t be settling down anytime soon.”

Because he and I weren’t close enough for him to know what I wanted, I figured he had to be fishing. Had to be trying to find a button to push.

“What are you implying?”

“Only saying if you wanted to start a family, it would be tough to do so while employed in this position. Given the travel and the hours. Not to mention, you’ll have plenty of people waiting to see if you fail.”

I wouldn’t let him see he was hitting on the very reason I’d been drinking whiskey before he’d come in. “I would say to anyone hoping I don’t succeed that it doesn’t bode well for a conducive working relationship. Matter of fact, I’d suggest to any person with the mindset of waiting for their boss to fail that they should look for a new job.”

His face was turning red. “Is that a threat?”

I smiled sweetly. “That would assume we were talking about you. I was simply stating something generically. And as far as my personal life is concerned, for all you know, I’m already married with three kids. It’s none of your business. Now, if there isn’t anything else, please see your way out of my office.”

He’d gone from red to an interesting shade of what I’d callf ‘angry red.’ Without another word, he spun on his heel, jerked open my door, and strode out of my office.

Megan came in a few seconds after.

“Holy shit, what was that about?”

I sighed, feeling proud about how I’d stood up for myself. “It was a pissing contest. I think I won. For now.”

She shut my door and took a seat. “God, I’m so happy for you. Please tell me you are, too. I mean, I know I pressured you and really wanted you to apply, but I hope you are glad you got it.”

“I am.” At least I was happy now. Any fears I had over the future would simply need to take a break until they came to fruition. I needed to remember that, at the end of the day, if the job became too much, I could always find a new one. But I wouldn’t sit here doubting myself one moment longer. Evidently, my little confrontation had demonstrated just how protective I was of my new role. It was mine, and I’d earned it. I’d make damned sure I did it well.

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