Page 105 of Forgotten Romance

“How did Mack take the news?”

“I, uh … haven’t told him yet. It’s a conversation we need to have in person.”

His eyes widen. “You don’t think he’ll be pissed off that you quit your amazing job without telling him?”

“Nope.”

“How the hell do you know that?”

“Because when Mack says he’ll support me through anything, he means it.”

“Uh-huh …” Neither of us mentions the divorce, and I’m grateful because that’s a time in my life I want squarely behind me. “Well, since you’re in the habit of making decisions solo …” Eric opens his jacket and pulls out a wad of paper that he thumps on my desk.

Apprehension settles over me. “What is this? A noncompete? You know I have nothing?—”

“Just read it.”

I flick my gaze to him and back to the paper again. The more I read, the more I’m sure he’s confused. “This is my position description.”

“Is it?”

I jab at where it says marketing director. “Yes.”

“I wouldn’t be giving you this if I didn’t think you were good at reading contracts, Davey. Look closer.”

I’m so fucking confused, but I play his game, switching from skimming to actually reading what’s in front of me.

… contracting the services of Davey Eiser, marketing director, on all premium client portfolios …

“Contracting …” I query the word out loud.

“I meant it when I said you were irreplaceable.”

I wave a hand at my computer. “We’ve just proved that isn’t the case.”

“Anyone can do a task. Not everyone has the creative vision you do. In short, I don’t want to lose that.”

“So what are you offering?”

Eric points at the contract. “Take that home. Discuss it with Mack. Make any changes you’re comfortable with, and then come back to me. You’ve brought a lot of big clients in, and you’ve also highlighted the need for some restructuring.” He pins me with a look. “It wasn’t fair of me to break our arrangement.”

I swallow thickly. “Thank you.”

“We want to hire you as a consultant. Top-level expertise that the teams have to run their ideas by before we move on. Ideally, you’ll make time to pop into the office, at least once a month, but no more away trips. No more face time with clients. The retainer we’re offering you is a pay cut, but that comes under the assumption of decreased hours.”

My vision goes unfocused on the paper, struggling to wrap my head around what it says. “Why now? Why … Just why?”

“I’ll be honest with you: this wasn’t an option before. We have no need for consultancy at an executive level. The director role brought you leverage, and the years you’ve put in, the testimony from happy client after happy client … it all adds up.” Eric spreads his hands wide. “I understand if you don’t take it. But I’m asking you to at least think about it because I couldn’t let you walk away without one more ditch attempt to keep you here.”

“Wow …” This is so far beyond what I was expecting when he walked in here that I’m struggling to wrap my head around it. “I’ll … yeah. I’ll talk to Mack.” Because if I take this, that’ll be it. This’ll be our new future, and if it means working from home and being on call, I want guarantees that it’s not going to bleed into my family life like it always has before. There’s no point getting my hopes up over something that could be another trap.

Eric gets up to leave.

“Hey. Thank you. I’m not sure if I can take it, but I really appreciate this.”

He smiles, taps the doorframe, and then leaves.

I stare at the contract again, wanting to dive in and read it but feeling way too overwhelmed at the idea.

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