Page 101 of Love and Cherish

“Yes. I-I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Haylee didn’t look convinced.

“Yes.” Cherish grabbed her notepad and pen and pushed herself up from her chair.

Before Haylee could say anything in response, Cherish propelled herself toward Febe’s closed door. She opened it without knocking, sliding inside Febe’s office as soon as the gap was large enough, closing it a lot louder than Febe had previously.

“Cherish,” Febe snapped, but Cherish simply glared back.

Febe turned back to her screen, clicked a button, and spoke rapidly. Cherish assumed someone was on the other end of the screen in a video call that she’d accidentally interrupted. She didn’t care, and that was a strange and freeing feeling.

Cherish pressed her back against the wood of the closed door and closed her eyes. She lost focus as Febe and her meeting partner’s words faded into simple background noise. Finally, she heard Febe say goodbye and end the call.

How could she have been so stupid? She’d been so selfish and stupid.

“Is there a problem?” Febe asked, her tone entirely changed now.

Cherish’s eyes flew open.

“Of course, there’s a problem.” Cherish stalked toward Febe, hands pressed down on the front of the desk. She leaned over her boss, who looked up as though she actually enjoyed the challenge of someone trying to assert their dominance over her. Or…hell, Cherish had no idea what the smirk on Febe’s face might actually mean. And she had a sinking feeling that she knew very little about everything, maybe even herself.

“And what’s the problem?” Febe’s words were slow, precise.

Cherish was about to be eaten alive. “You’ve made a mistake.”

“Excuse me?” No more smirk now. Febe’s face fell.

“She’s leaving because I didn’t back her idea. But we need to do it. Not just because she’s worth keeping, but because they need the help. It was always a good idea, and I let her think it wasn’t important. I made her think I didn’t want to help her. We have to do this, and you have to hire her back.”

“Cherish…” Febe tilted her head, eyebrows furrowing. “Did Haylee say that’s why she’s leaving?”

“No, of course she didn’t. She’s too professional for that.”

Febe opened her mouth, but an alarm on her phone stopped her from saying anything. She smacked it off and stood up.

“You can’t let her go,” Cherish started again, ignoring whatever alarm Febe had set.

“I’m not letting her go,” Febe muttered as she tried to step around the desk, but Cherish blocked her in.

“She’s better at this job than I am,” Cherish threw out there.

Febe halted, looking Cherish up and down. Her stern look turned to one of pity before she half-laughed. “Hardly.”

“Febe,” Cherish whined.

Febe squeezed Cherish’s arm before leaving her and striding to the door. She opened it a crack and stuck her head out. “Haylee, I need you to go to the airport and pick up two guests for the Communications Conference. I thought I would have time, but…” Febe turned and glared at Cherish, “…it seems I don’t.”

Cherish spluttered, but Febe faced Haylee again.

“Not a problem,” Haylee’s voice sailed in from outside the office.

“Make a sign that says Wellbeing Works, and they’ll find you at baggage claim. I’ll text you the rest of the details. You’ll need to leave immediately.”

“She doesn’t have a car.” Cherish crossed her arms, finally getting some satisfaction because she knew she was right. This would get her the answers she was looking for.

“What?” Febe turned back, mouth open.

“She doesn’t have a car,” Cherish repeated.

---