Page 2 of Reputation
Three.Four.Five.Six.
Finally, he smiled, his lips pulling wide enough beneath his beard to show his teeth.His brown eyes warmed with the expression.“You got it,” he said.
All the air in her lungs rushed out between her parted lips.She blinked, digesting his words.Adrenaline began pumping through the veins that had iced over only a moment before.Her hands began shaking in earnest as her heart continued to gallop in her chest.It was so loud she was sure David could hear it.
“I…I did?”she stuttered.She didn’t know why she was surprised.Likely, it had more to do with the feeling of finally hearing those words that had her brain taking longer to catch up.
He chuckled at her bewildered look, the sound reverberating in his chest as his massive shoulders shook.David was a big guy who had played goalie for the Kansas City Cyclones.He retired from playing ten years ago and, like most former players, made his way into management.
“Breathe, Eavie,” he said, still laughing.
She couldn’t help the slightly erratic laugh that bubbled past her lips.Heat flooded her cheeks as the full realization sunk in.She dropped her face to her hands, trying to hide her embarrassment and relief.
Oh my god, this was actually happening.
Blowing out a breath, she lifted her gaze back to David, shaking out her arms in an attempt to shed the anxiety that had been plaguing her all day, a face-splitting smile betraying her emotions.
“Congratulations,” he continued.“It’s well deserved.As sad as I am to see you go, I’m very proud of you.”
Her smile softened as her eyes scrunched at his kind words.“Thank you so much.Working with the Heirs has been a great experience.I hope you know that my decision to apply for this had nothing to do with not liking it here.I’m just ready for the next step,” she explained earnestly.
“I know,” he said with a nod.“To be honest, I’m shocked we held onto you for this long.You are far too good at your job not to have been stolen earlier.”
“I just love working for the team, for this organization,” she said, referring to the overarching Royals organization as a whole.“I didn’t want to leave, which is why this opportunity was perfect.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear that.They’re lucky to have you,” he said, pride shining in his eyes.“When they called to let me know, I asked if I could be the one to deliver the news.”
“Did they say when they want me to start?”
“Monday,” he answered.
“Monday?”she repeated, surprise making her spine stiffen again.“But that’s in less than a week!”
“Yes, well, the unexpected loss of Sam’s EA has left a bit of a hole in their operations.Another assistant has been covering, but they need the role filled as soon as possible,” he explained.“They’ve already been down a team member for a month.With the season starting, they need you to start right away.”
“Okay,” she agreed, “but what about this job?”If she started with the Royals on Monday, it meant leaving David without an assistant for the start of their season, too.
“It seems like human resources have a solution to that.Apparently, there was a candidate who also applied for the Royals role who they believe is a good fit to take over for you.”
Eavie’s shoulders relaxed, relieved she wouldn’t leave David without support.It wasn’t that he couldn’t handle a few weeks without her, but she didn’t like leaving things uncertain.Her perfectionism and dedication to her job rebelled against the idea of transitioning without adequately passing on the unfinished tasks.
“Got it,” she said, nodding.“Well, I’m glad they have someone lined up.I assume they will be starting right away so I can train them?”Mentally, she was already preparing a handover list and things she would need to train the new EA on.
“That’s the plan.Tabitha is just waiting for you to officially accept the role before they offer your job to the other candidate.If all goes well, she’ll be starting on Wednesday.”
Three days.That was all she was going to have with her replacement.Her mental list suddenly became daunting.Eavie shook off that thought.She would handle it, just like she always did.
“You are going to accept, right?”asked David, pulling her from her thoughts.
“Yes!”she rushed out.“Yes, of course!Sorry, my mind immediately jumped into planning mode.”She laughed, shaking her head.
“Good.You had me worried there for a second,” he joked.“Well, they are waiting for you to sign the paperwork next door.You should do that now.It’s almost the end of the day anyway, and like I said, they want to get this wrapped up right away.”
“Sure,” she answered, her gigantic smile back on her face.She stood up to leave, but paused halfway to the door.Turning, she caught his gaze.“Thank you, David.”
“Don’t mention it,” he said with a friendly wink.“Now get out of here before I change my mind and tell Tabitha I’m keeping you.”
Half an hour later, Eavie pushed through the revolving doors of the Toronto Royals Sports Complex, housing the operational departments of the Royals.The block-sized building also housed the practice arena and the Royal City Arena, known asThe Palace, where the Royals played all their games.Her breaths burst from her chest in excited puffs.The warm, late September sun shone through the spotless glass, reflecting the shimmering light she felt radiating inside her.The sweet feeling of accomplishment sizzled through her veins, giving her the best kind of high.
