Page 103 of Boss Me

Beside me, Jamila shifted. Despite the clear signs I was cracking—I swiped at more red ink—she couldn’t agree with him, could she? I glanced at her, but she kept her gaze on Weston.

He continued, “I urge you all to consider this generous offer from Gurusoft. It might mean the end of an era for some, but it will surely bring new opportunities for success to the company and new wealth to its shareholders.”

There were murmurs of agreement on Weston’s side of the table. After Weston took his seat, Charles turned to me. “Cooper, I believe you’d like to say a few words?”

“I would.” I stood and paced behind my chair, willing my emotions to settle. No matter how much I loved Synergy, today was about logic, not emotions. “Harris is correct that a few weeks ago, I was burned out. Discouraged. Ready to leave Synergy behind me. I left abruptly, leaving Harris and others behind to clean up the mess. And I apologize for that.

“I also sold a significant part of my stake in the company, fully intending to exit Synergy as Harris said.” More murmurs erupted on the other end of the table. I paced around that side to quiet them.

“However, in my time away from Synergy, I learned some things about myself.” On this side of the table, I could see Jamila’s face, but she kept her expression blank. “I’ve always been a hard worker. Not many of you know this, but I came from poverty. We never had much, but my mother encouraged me to study and to work hard so I could raise myself above what I’d always known.”

Weston’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t turn around.

“My hard work and Jackson Jones’s brilliance created this company. We gave it everything we had: our money, our effort, our time. I’ll always be grateful to Jackson, to our early employees, and to this board, who have helped shape Synergy into a success beyond anything that boy who lived hand to mouth, who was lucky to be tall and strong enough to get his first job in construction at fourteen, could have imagined.

“I was so proud of what we’d built, so invested in its success, that I hardly took a break from the time we founded the company a decade and a half ago to now.” I glanced at Jamila. “I know now that was a mistake. That I disregarded my own mental health for the sake of the company’s success.

“When I had an unexpected reaction to a disagreement with Jackson, I realized I needed a break. And in my emotional state, I thought I needed to make that break permanent. I was unsure that I could contribute to the company in a positive way after that.

“But while I was away, a good friend”—I caught Jamila’s gaze and held it—“talked to me about balance. I don’t always have to be the one running the show. I have strong partners in Jackson, in the board, and in the many strong employees we’ve hired to share the load. I intend to take regular vacations going forward. Stepping away from time to time will make me a better leader.”

I continued my circuit around the table. “Someone I care about told me how much the company means to him. Other employees have approached me in the halls this week to do the same. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to make Synergy a place where everyone feels welcome. Where our diverse workforce feels connected to the company while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Well”—I chuckled—“except for its COO, and as I told you, I’m taking steps to change that.”

Jamila’s stony expression cracked into a grin.

“I think we’re all aware that Gurusoft doesn’t share our company values. Article after article has highlighted their toxic work culture. From mandatory overtime to bullying and harassment, to a disappointingly homogeneous board, Gurusoft runs their business very differently from what we’re trying to do at Synergy.” Sure, Synergy could be more diverse, but we were trying. Gurusoft didn’t appear to be doing that. “We all agree that diversity of employees and leaders leads to diversity of ideas and innovation. I think that separately, Synergy can surpass Gurusoft in the next five years.

“But we’ll never know that if we vote today to let Gurusoft take over. Synergy’s products, our innovative culture, and our brilliant ideas will die a slow death inside our competitor. I hope you’ll all join me in voting against the buyout.”

I was still standing, but Weston rose from his seat, his expression no longer avuncular but angry. “This is a financial decision. I encourage you all to consider your fiduciary responsibility to the organization, rather than your emotions.” He pursed his lips. “Mr. Fallon, while talking about Synergy’s values, has entangled himself with his secretary. He’s not as noble as he’d have you believe.”

Leather creaked as the board members turned in their seats. A few gasped. All eyes turned to me.

Well, fuck. I’d hoped to keep the board out of my bedroom, but Weston had opened the door and flipped on the lights.

“It’s true that I’ve embarked on a romantic relationship with my former assistant. I love him. And I’ll do whatever it takes to be with him.

“I love this company, too. Ben resigned before we started our relationship. He was an asset to the company, and if he ever decides to come back to work at Synergy, Human Resources and I will work together to ensure there’s no impropriety with his employment, that we set a good example for other intracompany relationships. I think I owe it to Ben and the other Synergy employees to be honest about who I am and who I love.”

The other end of the table grumbled.

“But my personal relationships aren’t what’s up for debate today. The acquisition of Synergy is. Synergy will be stronger without the weight of Gurusoft and its pernicious business practices. I hope you agree with me and vote no today.”

I sat down, and after a long moment, Weston did, too. I looked around the table. Charles gave me a subtle nod. Like he was proud of me. On my other side, Jamila patted my shoulder. The two board members to her left kept their expressions blank, but their eyes bounced between Charles and me. At the end of the table, Sanchez typed the notes furiously into his laptop while Weston’s cohort frowned. Weston himself glared at me, his sapphire eyes blazing and his jaw grinding under his gray goatee.

“Would anyone else care to speak?” Charles asked. When no one spoke, he said, “All right, then. Who moves to vote on the matter of Gurusoft’s offer to purchase Synergy?”

36

BEN

The fluorescent-yellow visitor’s badge clipped to my shirt pocket annihilated my appetite. Sitting in the Synergy employee cafeteria, I picked at my salad as my former coworkers came to our table, sometimes individually, sometimes in groups. Some of them were surprised I wasn’t working there. Others had heard I quit—no one seemed surprised I’d left notoriously demanding Cooper Fallon—and asked where I was working. Still considering my options, I told them, like I had a half-dozen offers and not zero. Taking some time to think about my next steps, I said, which was closer to the truth.

The one good thing about agreeing to meet Marlee for lunch at the cafeteria was that there was no chance I’d run into Cooper there. The employees voted on the menus, and they liked fat and carbs. If you knew to pass by the deliciously greasy burger grill, there were plenty of healthy options. But Cooper avoided the cafeteria like if he looked at it, he’d gain ten pounds.

“Ben.” Marlee said my name loudly, like it wasn’t the first time. “Earth to Ben.”

“Sorry.” I speared a bit of lettuce and a blueberry. “It’s just strange to be here again.”

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