Page 129 of Misfortune and Mr. Right

“I overlooked Olivia,” I mumble.

“That’s why you’re pulling out the big guns,” Gil says. “She’s going to be floored.”

“What are you boys up to?” Maisy asks.

“I’ll tell you over dinner,” I say.

“You’re going to love this,” Gil says to Maisy on his way into the dining room.

Chapter Thirty-One

Olivia

Love is already the strongest magic in the world.

~ Tera Lynn Childs

“Come in, Olivia,”Darwin says.

He’s sitting behind his desk with a smile on his face.

“I hope you’re feeling better today.”

I take a seat in one of the two chairs facing Darwin’s desk.

“Yes. Sorry. You know I don’t usually call out. I just needed a personal day.”

“I understand. We all need them from time to time. And we should take them. It helps keep burnout at bay. Is everything okay?”

“Yes.” I give him a cordial smile and fold my hands in my lap. “Actually, I need to ask you about something.”

“Sure. What is it?”

“Well, I overheard you talking with Logan in the conference room the day before yesterday. About the promotion. I didn’t mean to listen in. I was taking a call in the hallway. When it ended, I walked up and you two were discussing your choice.” I pause, and then I press forward. I’ve gotten this much out, I may as well say it all. “I’ve spent the last day and a half thinking about your decision. Logan is definitely a good candidate for manager.”

Sometime in the middle of the night last night, it dawned on me that Logan really would make a great manager. Maybe he’d even make a better one than I would.

Darwin nods. “I agree. He’s got natural leadership skills and many other qualities that make him a strong choice.”

“And I understand why you chose him,” I say.

“Do you?”

“Yes. He’s strong and decisive, calm under pressure. He brings a clarity of vision to every project he works on, and he has a good rapport with clients.”

“All true,” Darwin says.

“I guess, without sounding pouty or jealous, I’d like to know why you chose him—over me.”

“I’m sorry you had to hear that part of our conversation. I certainly would have phrased it differently if I were being smarter and more considerate. I saw you on the phone in the hallway and didn’t anticipate you finishing your call and overhearing us.”

Darwin smiles compassionately at me. Then he adds, “The way I couched what I was saying had everything to do with offering Logan the position. My words were skewed in his favor because he was my audience. If you had been present—if I had known you would hear me—I would have included a lot more about you and your strengths and how difficult the decision was for me, because it was difficult. You are both strong candidates. I’m in an enviable and challenging position having both of you as alternatives.”

“It’s okay,” I assure Darwin. “You weren’t unkind. You simply stated the facts. It came down to the two of us.”

“You have great leadership skills as well, Olivia. And you’ve risen to every criterion I set for the manager position.”

“Thank you.” I pause. “Forgive me, but those sound like reasons you would choose me, not reasons why you’d pass me by to pick Logan.”

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