Page 108 of Crossing the Brooklyn Briggs
Today is a different story.
“I managed to get a copy of her resume,” Jeff tells me. “If all of this is accurate, Miss Briggs is more than qualified to work in any lab she chooses. I want to hire her myself.”
I grin, though he’d better not offer her a job because I don’t want the risk of her moving to California. Then again, if she chose to go somewhere else, I would absolutely go with her. Rick would probably love being promoted to president of my company.
“I told you she was special.”
“And you say she had a supervisor who has prevented her from finding a new position?”
“That’s what she said, and Brooklyn is not the sort of person who would spread slander. I’m honestly surprised she told me about her supervisor in the first place. If anyone were to ask her about her termination, she would probably blame it on a problem with the research or something.” I didn’t mention anything about Brooklyn’s romantic relationship with James, though I’m tempted to bring it up in case it makes a difference. But Brooklyn trusted me with that information, and I won’t share it lightly.
Jeff hums, papers rustling in the background. “I didn’t want to dig into the company who let her go, but I may need more information if I want to get to the bottom of this. If she was fired under false pretenses, I think—”
“I just want her to get a chance,” I interrupt. “She won’t want justice, no matter how much she deserves it.”
“So, what do you want me to do?”
I wish I knew exactly what would work. “I want you to convince someone to look beyond the termination. To give her a chance no matter what they’ve heard about her. If she can get an interview, she’ll blow them away as soon as she opens her mouth.”
“I can do that.”
“Thank you.”
We’re both quiet for a moment, but I know he has more to say. I spent enough time with Natalie’s family to know when Jeff has thoughts on his mind.
“Natalie told me she’s going to stop accepting alimony,” he says.
She told me that too. Right after she told me she is engaged to a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles. They met through her father, and he absolutely dotes on her. She said she wants me to use that money on the woman who truly captured my heart. I don’t know how she knew how deeply I’m coming to feel for Brooklyn, but she did.
“I never wanted to hurt her,” I say quietly. It’s the apology I should have given this man a year ago but was too much of a coward. “I loved your daughter so much, but I couldn’t… I’ve had to do a lot of work on myself this year.”
Jeff grunts. “Nat didn’t inspire you like this one does. You’re a good man, Jordan, and I’m glad you were smart enough to leave without a fuss. Natalie is happy now.”
“I’m so glad she is.”
“Hopefully you don’t hurt Brooklyn too.”
His caution sits heavy on my shoulders, adding to the weight of the fears I already carry. “I have every intention of giving her the life she deserves and more. Starting with this.”
“It took courage for you to ask this of me, and I commend that. But I hope you know that I will personally see to it that you pay for your mistakes if you mess up again. I’ll be watching you.”
Jeff isn’t a frightening man by any means. He is in his sixties, five foot eight on a good day, a grandfather to six, and laughs more than he frowns. But I feel his warning in every inch of me. I definitely don’t deserve this kindness he’s showing me.
“Yes, sir,” I say, letting my voice wobble so he knows that I understand. “Thank you.”
“Hopefully we can get Brooklyn in a lab where she belongs. I’ll keep you updated.”
“Can you…” I pause, debating this. “Keep my name out of all of this. Brooklyn needs to know that she’s getting this chance through her own merits, not because I know important people.”
He chuckles. “Trying to pull a Mr. Darcy? I will do my best, but you know she’s going to figure it out at some point.”
I can’t help but laugh at his reference, given that this is Brooklyn we’re talking about. She would love to compare me to Mr. Darcy. “Probably, but for now, I had nothing to do with this.”
“Done. Take care of yourself, Jordan. And tell your mom that I’m rooting for her.”
“Thank you, Jeff. For everything.”
Once we hang up, I sit in my chair and think about how Brooklyn might respond if she ends up getting a call from a lab. Will she doubt herself? I hope not. She has seemed more sure of herself the last little bit, but who’s to say how she’s really feeling after her disappointment yesterday?
