Page 112 of Playing A Risk
If she’s hidden this from me, I won’t like the answer.
“In Miami.”
The blood drains from my veins. I want to be happy for her, but I do not want her to leave.
“Why Miami? Why can’t you stay here and find something? Shit, Mel. I’ll give you a promotion, but?—”
“Dori, I need a change. I love you and Efron Worldwide, but there’s nowhere for me to go within our company. I know because I’ve been watching for the last year.”
I shake my head. “Then I’ll create a job for you and you can help me design it. Just tell me what you want. I’m sure Jonah would even help us. He recently told me he thought you were ready for more responsibilities.”
Her shoulders go slack. “I don’t want to move up in the company because my best friend made it happen. And don’t even get me started on getting Jonah involved. I will not be seen as someone who made it because she’s fucking her boss.”
Ouch!
I blow out a gust of air. “Is that how you see me?”
“No. You had your job before you started things with Hunter.” She turns away. “It’s different now and I want a change.”
My brain spins out of control.
She cannot leave me here alone.
“Tell me about this job. Who’s the opportunity with?”
She bends over and grabs her phone and water bottle. “I’m done working out. If you want to go out later, let me know.”
“Melanie, tell me about your offer.” I step in front of her so she can’t leave.
She sighs. “It’s with Mateo’s company, and it’s a great opportunity. I’d be managing the marketing for their socialmedia teams for all the US-based clubs and restaurants. The money is insane and I don’t see any reason not to accept it.”
My chest heaves. “You’re going to go work for The Beckett Brand? God, Mel. Why? Efron Worldwide is just as successful.”
“I know, but this opportunity is better. At least for what I want to do.”
Jami’s move to Miami to work for Mateo swings into the forefront of my mind. My panic gets the best of me and my eyes narrow in on her.
“How did you find out about this job?” There’s no mistake in my accusatory tone.
She growls and steps around me. “I’m not doing this here.”
I spin toward her. “Based on your response, I think I already know. So tell me, did you and Jami plan this? Are you guys moving there together, then slowly, as I get used to you both being gone, you’ll start dating?”
She glares at me. “You know I wouldn’t do that to you. I can’t believe you even went there.”
“Believe it because I find it really coincidental that he has this great opportunity to move back to Miami and work with Mateo again, and then suddenly, you have an offer coming from them. Looks mighty suspicious to me.”
“I can’t believe you.” She stomps away.
Pain, panic, confusion, and desperation swirl like a hurricane through my entire body. I’m out of my mind with so many emotions that I can’t think straight. My thoughts spin.
I chase after her. “Tell me the truth. You and Jami have been going behind my back, haven’t you? How else would you have found out about the job?”
She twists back to me and gets right in my face. “Alright, Dori. We’ll do this your way. Jami told me about it a couple ofmonths ago. So yes, Jami was involved. He was one of my references.”
“Why not ask me?”
“It happened during the time you were playing master to your two puppets, so your mind was elsewhere. And as far as thinking I’d take the job so Jami and I can hook up, I should say yes just to piss you off because you don’t deserve him.”
