Page 135 of Waiting for Acceptance
“Me?” Laughter floats around the room at my surprise.
“Lauren, you are very extremely overqualified to be a sales agent. You have impressed every single person at this table, without even knowing it, with your knowledge and capability. The simple conversations you had with the people in this room, which you may recognize upon closer inspection, were enough to prove you are a perfect candidate for the open COO position. I have no doubt that within a year’s time, you’ll be ready to call this company your own. If you want it.” Frank’s words sink deep within my soul as I sit with my mouth hanging open, likely still in shock from being told I’m being handed over a million, possibly billion, dollar company.
“What do you say, Sweetheart? You down for the challenge?” He knows just which buttons to press to get me to say yes, doesn’t he?
“Are you sure?” I ask the general presence in the room. Everyone,everyone, nods their heads in agreement.
“The board, the people in this room, have already discussed the matter, and we all agree that you’re the top choice for this position, but just to prove it to you, we’ll take it to a vote. All those in favor of bringing Lauren Long on as acting COO for one year, with all intents and purposes to name her CEO after that time, raise your hand.”
It’s unanimous.
“It’s yours if you want it. And not because of that ring on your finger. Because you’ve fuckingearned it. You remember that, above all else.” My eyes fill with tears again and I’m thankful I chose to wear waterproof mascara today.
“I am so honored that every single one of you has the faith in me to do this job. May I have the night to think it over? It’s just been…a very crazy morning.” I laugh, raising my left hand to my forehead, unintentionally showing my engagement ring, causing others to giggle along.
“Of course, take the night. Take the rest of the week if you need to. The position is yours if you want it.” Frank holds out his hand and I stand to shake it. “I always knew you were a good fit for him.” He nods towards Fitz with a wink and I laugh.
“Wait…” I look over at Fitz, my brow furrowing. “What position will you have?” He smirks and looks back at everyone else.
“You all are dismissed. Thank you so much.” I narrow my gaze at him, wiping my face of any curiosity when people quietly congratulate me, smiling on their way out. When the room is empty, and the door latches behind Frank, I turn back to face Fitz.
“Well?” I ask impatiently, making him laugh.
“How would you feel about me running the ranch?” The surprise and joy on my face are immediate, followed quickly by concern.
“Are Gran and Pops okay?”
“They’re fine, I promise. Pops called me Sunday night, telling me that he’s and I quote,getting too old for this shit, and wanted to know what my thoughts were on handing things over to Lochlan. That’s when my wheels started turning and…”
“You told him you’d do it.” The admiration on my face is clear as I smile at my future husband.
“Lochlan isn’t quite ready to take it all on by himself, but I know he could get there eventually. I know it’s a bit of a commute between the ranch and the office, but I know some really great people in real estate, and we could find a house somewhere between them—” I put my finger to his lips, stopping him from rambling.
“We can worry about the details later. You’re going to run the ranch!” He smiles so wide I think his cheeks might crack.
“Yeah?” he asks, wrapping his hands around my waist.
“Yeah!” He picks me up, spinning me around in an embrace before planting my feet carefully back on the ground.
“Have I told you lately that you’re my favorite person in the world?”
I scrunch my face. “I don’t think you’ve ever said that, actually, and I need you to start saying it more often,” I tease him.
“I love you, Trouble.”
“I love you, too,Cowboy.” He rolls his eyes and I grab his cheeks with one hand. “Do I need to give you a reason to make those icy blue eyes roll, Vince?”
“Please, god, yes,” he groans, burying his face in my neck and making me laugh.
“What a day. I got engaged, got the biggest promotion of my life, and found out I’m marrying a cowboy, not a millionaire.”
“Billionaire.”
“What?!”
“Thoughts?” He raises a brow at me.
I let out an exasperated breath. “I need a taco.”
