Page 110 of The One I Need
“What the fuck was that?” I ask.
“I’m baffled. And slightly panicked,” Hazel says. “We’re two months away from a launch. We can’t cancel it now. The investors will freak. We’ve already started the ad and marketing campaigns.”
“We need damage control,” I say. “We need to make sure this is all taken care of in the right way while also cleaning house.”
Hazel looks at me, a sad look in her eye. “I hate to ask you to do this.”
I nod, knowing what’s coming. “I got this.”
Hazel covers my hands with hers. “This has the potential to be a public relations nightmare. You’re the only one I trust to take care of this correctly. Plus, we’re going to need to hire all new senior management. All new vice presidents. All of those people were Edwin’s hires. I want them all gone. And with the launch in two months, you’re going to have to stay there and handle it until we know we’re up, running, and in good hands.”
“Done and done.”
It’s at that moment Oliver and Knox come to our table, setting our drinks down before taking seats next to us.
Shit…Oliver.
The tears immediately threaten to come spilling out as I think about being away from him for two months. This is more than just living forty minutes apart and deciding some nights not to stay over. I know I need to do this for Hazel and the company. Hell, at one point I begged Hazel to go over to London. Funny that it’s happening, but at the sake of me falling in love.
Karma is a fickle bitch sometimes.
“Why don’t you head home,” Hazel says. “Think it over. Talk it out. Let me know in the morning.”
“Huh?” Oliver says, which I get. I’d be confused too. Hell, Iamconfused, and I know what’s going on.
I stand up, nodding at Hazel as a thank you. “I will. Come on, let’s go.”
Oliver stands up, still clearly confused about what’s happening.
“Everything okay?”
I shake my head as I wrap my arms around Oliver’s. “I don’t know.”
Chapter38
Oliver
I’m startingto get worried.
Izzy didn’t say anything from the few minutes it took us to get from the dinner to her condo. She didn’t say anything in the ride up the elevator. The second we entered her condo she kicked off her shoes, threw her purse to the side, and laid on her couch.
She didn’t even act like this when she found out her dad died. Or anytime when we were in Nebraska. I don’t know what’s going on, but she better tell me soon because my mind is going in a thousand directions at once. And none of them are good.
“Come here,” I say as I sit down on the couch, lifting her head so it’s now resting on my leg. I begin brushing her hair with my fingers, wanting to give her some kind of comfort. “I don’t know what happened, but I’m sure it’s nothing we can’t figure out.”
It’s then I hear tell-tale sign of Izzy’s tears. Fuck, this has to be bad. “Babe. Please. You’re starting to scare me.”
She sits up, and I hate to see the little bit of makeup running down her face from the tears. “I have to go to London.”
“Oh,” I say, wondering why that’s a big deal. “For the launch?”
Izzy shakes her head. “Yes. No. It’s complicated. And messy as fuck.”
I sit back and listen as Izzy tells me everything about what went on when Knox and I were getting drinks. Here we were talking about football season and wondering whether or not the Fury could repeat as champions when just across the room hell was breaking loose. Though it’s probably good we weren’t there. I have a feeling this Edwin guy wouldn’t have taken kindly to Knox and I personally escorting him out of the building.
“Okay, so you have to go to London to clean up this guy’s mess. If anyone can do it, you can.”
“That’s what Hazel said.”
