Page 29 of Damaged

“Oh. I mean—”

“I insist. It’s about business.”

“Oh.” Sophia nods agreeably. “Okay.”

She walks in, and I lead her to the living room. “Stay for a minute,” I say. “I’ll be right back.”

I go to my room and change quickly into dark jeans and a dress shirt. I am not about to fire someone in a bathrobe. When I get back, she’s eating one of the cookies and looking around at the art on the walls. Judging my taste, no doubt.

“What’s the meeting about tomorrow?” she says, her mouth ever so slightly full. It makes her sound endearing. She looks like a fragile little thing, sitting on the massive couch with her cookies in front of her.

I feel like I’m about to put a Girl Scout in front of a firing squad. “It’s about our next collection. Egyptian artifacts. Some sculptures but also ornaments and jewelry. I’m going to Cairo to see a man’s private collection.”

“Oh, are you serious? I love Egyptology! It was my minor in college.”

Shit.Why did I tell her anything?This is just going to make the bad news worse. Alex isn’t going to be happy with me firing her, but didn’t he say she was sick of the gallery?

“Yeah. Jessica is going to be accompanying me.”

“That’s right,” she says.

My heart sinks as I watch Sophia’s shoulders fall in disappointment. Why on earth is my heart tied to this girl’s emotions? It needs severing, and I plan to do it now.

“I forgot Jessica is actually kind of an expert on ancient Egypt and Mesopotamian art,” says Sophia. I didn’t expect her to be interested in this Egyptian project.

“Yes. Jessica may be a bit… impersonal. But she’s not bad at what she does.”

Sophia picks up another cookie. I can tell she just wants something else to focus on.

She’s nervous.

I would say this feels like I’m preparing to rip off a Band-Aid, but the anticipation is much worse. It’s like I’m about to put down a dog. Where are my iron nerves now?

I don’t try to summon them. They’re nowhere to be found. I just speak with my mouth dry with guilt. “Look, Sophia…”

She glances up at me with a hint of concern in those big dark eyes. She can tell from my tone that what I’m about to say is not good.

“We are going to be doing some restructuring at the gallery.”

“Sure. I think ancient Egypt is a good choice. It’s niche enough to get attention. And while not cheap, you have the money to pull off a serious collection, obviously.”

I’m so pained, I close my eyes for a second. I’m usually much smoother at firing people. But they’re not usually in my living room with a plate of fucking cookies. Nor do they not deserve it. I don’t fire people who haven’t fucked up big-time.

“I know you haven’t been in love with your job at the gallery. And it’s a good time for us to make some adjustments. I think it’s best if we go our separate ways.”

She stops chewing. She holds the crescent of her cookie after taking a big bite of it. She sits still for several seconds before I watch her finish chewing and swallow.

There’s no anger in her eyes. That would be much preferable to what I see.

There’s insecurity.Damage.

“You’re firing me?”

I feel like I just kicked a dog. “I’m offering a full year severance and a glowing recommendation to any future employer. We’re just trying to lighten the ship.” I cringe.Lighten the ship.I should throw myself off my balcony. What kind of corporate tool talks like that?

“Oh.” She sets the half-eaten cookie on the plate.

Say more. Yell.Her stunned silence is torture. I assure myself this is for the best. Sophia only stands to get hurt from being in business with me. And not just emotionally. I’m doing her a professional courtesy, but it’s not something I can easily elaborate on. Not without spilling what a monster I really am.

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