Page 139 of Over the Moon

And I should have realized that two days ago when I thought my world was ending.

I hadn’t lost the man that I loved.

What I’d lost was a job. It was just a job.

I’d find another one.

One that appreciated me.

One that wasn’t snooping through my desk for leverage against me.

I blew out a breath when I paused in front of Dylan’s office, and I knocked on the door.

“Come in,” she called out.

I stepped inside, and Dylan Wayburn strode towards me with all the confidence in the world. I hadn’t met her before, as this was my first run-in with the legal department.

“Eloise, it’s lovely to meet you. I’m Dylan Wayburn. Thank you for meeting me here today.” She motioned for me to sit in the chair across from her desk, and she surprised me when she didn’t go around to take her chair and instead sat in the seat beside me.

“It’s lovely to meet you, as well,” I said.

“Okay, let’s get right down to it. On behalf of the Lions team and the Wayburn family, I apologize for what happened here two days ago,” she said. “I didn’t fill your father or Clark in on the details about Randall, and I’m going to trust you with this information because I think you deserve to hear it. But I’d appreciate it if you’d keep it between us. Of course, I understand that you will be sharing it with your father and Clark, but I’d like to spare the rest of the team all the dramatics involved here.”

I nodded, surprised by how this meeting had started. “That’s not a problem.”

“I spoke to Talia, Randall’s assistant, yesterday,” she said, one brow arched, which told me that she knew their relationship ran a bit deeper. “She was all too happy to spill her guts and tell me that Randall did indeed go into your office, into your desk, and take the notebook out. He then proceeded to have her makecopies of everything in the notebook so he could present it at his ridiculous attempt at a coup.”

“I was fairly certain that had been the case, but I wasn’t so sure I could prove it. Not that it matters, because how can I work for a man who is willing to stoop so low to get me fired? But I’m relieved to know that I’m not imagining this and that he really did do the things that I thought he did.” I shrugged. “I wasn’t after his job. I was happy to be in the position I was hired for. Sure, it is a long-term goal of mine to be an athletic trainer, as well, but I wasn’t going to step on any toes to get there.”

“I understand that. Sebastian tells me that you are doing an amazing job and that the team loves you. And we’d like you to stay on here at the Lions organization,” she said.

I sighed because obviously, it would be the best option for me, considering my boyfriend lives here, but I didn’t see how that could work. “I appreciate the offer to stay, but I work directly under the athletic trainer, and I don’t think that would be a good situation for anyone on the team.”

“I think you’re aware that I met my husband while employed by this team, am I right?” she asked.

“Yes. I think it’s great.”

“Well, loving someone isn’t a criminal act, Eloise, but sneaking into another employee’s office and rifling through their desk and stealing personal materials is actually a crime. As is making photocopies of private property and dispersing them with malicious intent. Randall is no longer a part of this organization.”

My eyes widened, and I’m sure my mouth was gaping open. “Randall is leaving?”

“He was given the opportunity to resign, which I feel was more gracious than he deserved. But we aren’t here to destroy anyone’s future, just to build a positive and supportive work environment, which he was not providing.” She held her handsup when I started to panic that I caused the man to lose his job. “This did not start two days ago. Sebastian was not a fan of Randall, and he’d already spoken to Wolf about your credentials and qualifications before any of this happened. He witnessed some very petty behavior, and Wolf had noticed it last year, as well. It was time for him to go. This team is ready for change, which is why my brother-in-law has stepped into this new role. We would like to offer you the position of athletic trainer as well as physical therapist. We will have you interview candidates to assist you, but we’d like you to head up the entire department if you’re willing.”

My breath caught in my throat, and I shook my head, trying hard not to cry. “I didn’t expect this.”

She pushed to her feet and grabbed a box of tissues from her desk. “Let it out, girl. I’ve got four sisters, and we love a good cry. You’ve earned it. You were treated unfairly, and that type of behavior will not be tolerated on this team.”

I blew my nose and buried my face in my hands and did exactly what she said.

I let it all out.

She sat right there with me until my breathing slowed, and I wiped my face.

“It’s not easy existing in a man’s world. Randall was threatened by you, and he went after you in the most appalling way. I am sorry about all of it. I didn’t want anyone to know about Randall until I shared it with you first. I felt you deserved to know the whole story. We will let the team know that Randall has moved on, and you are stepping into this new role. I don’t expect any pushback, but if you receive any, you know where to come, moving forward.” She smiled.

“Thanks, Dylan. I really appreciate it.”

“So, what do you think about the offer? I think it’s time we get some more badass women in this company in high positions. Are you game?”

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