Page 33 of Storybook Christmas

“No, Lacy. This one was on me.” I look up wide-eyed to see Isaac rubbing his forehead. He says, “I should’ve never put a book of that caliber on hold.”

“Okay,” I mumble, in shock that he’s admitting his error in judgment.

I have absolutely no idea what else to say to Mr. Sutton, so I sit quietly as I wait for him to continue. He says, “When family gets involved, it can cloud our vision.”

“I understand,” is all I manage to say. I’m too shocked to come up with anything else.

“You did great work on this project, and you handled all the last-minute changes with professionalism and grace.”

“Thank you, sir.” Shock turns to relief, and I smile before blowing out a silent stream of air. I guess I’m not getting fired today?

The corners of his mouth curve. “The position of Senior Editor, Platypus Press has opened up. We’re promoting Joshua to Editor-and-Chief, which is a board position.”

The knife in my gut that is Joshua twists.

Mr. Sutton leans in and lowers his voice. “Joshua won’t be on your team, or even your floor now, so no one has to worry about any more… outbursts from you.”

Okay. That wasn’t so nice, but I guess I deserve it? Anyway, forget Joshua. Is Mr. Sutton promoting me to senior editor now that Joshua has moved up?

A smile hints at the corners of Isaac’s mouth, and my hopes lift out of the wintry fog they’ve been in. My pulse races, and there’s a buzzing of excitement in my ears. He clears his throat. “We’d like to promote you, Lacy.”

Iamgoing to be a senior editor, finally! “You would?” I squeak, my smile spreading.

“Yes. To a level two associate editor!” he booms.

My face freezes, as I’m certain I’ve heard him wrong. I lick my lips, my voice weak when I say, “I didn’t know we had different levels of associate editors.”

“Admittedly, it’s a new thing we’re trying out. So, you’ll be our guinea pig.” He barks out a laugh.

“Oh, I see.” The words rush out as my pulse kicks into maximum gear. All my excitement snuffs out, and the buzzing in my ears stops. After a jagged exhale, I ask, “So, who’s going to be senior editor?”

Isaac shoots me a “duh” look before he says, “Finn Hayes.”

A red hot heat begins to rise from somewhere deep in my gut. I obviously care a great deal about Finn, but he just started at the company as an interim associate editor. Sutty or no Sutty, that makes little sense. Worse, it’showMr. Sutton just informed me, like Finn was the obvious choice.

I make jokes about how to get promoted at Sutton & Sutton, but it’s not funny. The fury deep within me rises to my throat, and I can no longer stop my mouth when I say, “Thank you, Mr. Sutton, for this resume-building opportunity.” I stand before grabbing my box of things. “But I can no longer stay and watch you show obvious favoritism toward the men of this company.”

Balancing the box on my hip, I say, “I quit,” before marching out my office door.

When I make it to Bertha’s front desk, she and Finn are standing there, holding boxes, too.

“Whatare you guys doing?” My eyes have to be bulging out of my head.

Finn points to his cheek. “You got something right there, Lace.”

“What?” My brows furrow.

Bertha whips out her compact mirror and puts it in front of me. In my reflection, I see my entire cheek dusted with flour.

Perfect.

I brush the flour off my face and put my coat on. “Okay, now will you guys tell me what you’re doing?”

“By the looks of it, you quit,” Bertha says.

I blink, numb everywhere. “Yes.”

“And that’s what we’re about to do.” Bertha lifts her chin, and when Isaac walks past, she says, “Mr. Sutton, I emailed you my resignation. Effective immediately.”

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