Page 86 of Reply All
Lena’s phone vibrates on her desk, our CEO’s name flashing on its screen. With the same smile, gaze locked on Jenna’s bloodshot eyes, she answers it.
Sascha is so upset, every single word out of her mouth comes out clear as day, even though the call isn’t on speakerphone.
“—have the entire management team of Stevenson calling me about tariff penalties and fines and?—”
“—want to know where the hell Jenna is and what you guys are going to do to make this all right. I swear to god, Lena, if we lose this client, all of you are losing your jobs. I’m giving you until end of day to get it together before we meet with HR and your time at Sartoria & Co. is over.”
And even though Sascha never backs down, never once retreats, Lena remains constant, her expression stony and calm. And I know right then and there that she is truly, deep down, a hundred times more terrifying than Jenna could ever be.
Cold. Hard. Ruthless. That’s the type of person who wouldn’t hesitate to ruin someone’s career. It’s the type of person who would relish in it.
I was so wrong about her. She wasn’t trying to be better—this is just who she is—and I’m disappointed in myself for believing in another person who ended up letting me down.
Suddenly, it’s not just Jenna who’s tearing up at the situation. At this nightmare.
I just want today to be over. I just want this whole ordeal to be done. I just want to be lying in bed with my cat and Will and cuddle into that space on his chest and shoulder that’s mine alone and justbe.
Jenna leaves with a huff, without saying another word, and Lena looks at me with the triumph of a ten-time Olympic gold medalist in her eyes. “We have something to finish. Let’s go.”
“Go where?”
“Stevenson HQ.”
WILL
Will’s had some bad days at work—terrible ones, actually. Truly soul-sucking ones. But they’ve been fewer and farther in between since he and Bridget officially got together. He’s been too busy being happy to let his miserable job get to him.
But today. Today has been a royal nightmare that has rivaled every single bad day he’s ever worked at Stevenson. Today, right after handing in his resignation and having to face two hours of his dictator “boss” yelling at him about shirking responsibilities and questioning his character—“Where’s your loyalty, William? What kind of man are you? After everything I’ve done for you?”—the whole deal with Sartoria blew up. Today is bound to rank in the top five worst work days of his life. At least his professional life, for sure.
All he wants right now is to hear Bridget’s voice. To talk to her and hear her say everything’s going to be alright.
It’s a strange realization, but he’s come to accept that she’s become this core part of who he is. That by falling in love with her, she has made a permanent spot for herself in his heart that will never belong to anyone else. The simple idea of Will belonging to another person is, quite frankly, ridiculous. He will forever be Bridget’s.
And he needs her now. Desperately. But there are fires to put out—for her sake and his—and damage control to tend to. After that—after this whole fucking mess is over and after the transition period is finalized—he’ll tell her everything.
He knows it’s a risk, but in order to give himself fully to this, he knows it’s necessary.
29
SO, THAT HAPPENED
This is a bad idea. A bad, nonsensical idea.
“I don’t see how just showing up is a good thing, Lena. I mean, what if they’re busy? What if they can’t see us?” I ask.
Though, really, I’m just terrified of facing another person’s wrath for the third time today. The more I look at people’s behavior around me, the more horrified I am. I mean, is this specific to Jenna and Lena? Or is this an industry thing? If I stay in this long enough, is this who I’ll turn into? And where is the silver lining in all of this? My handy little survival tool is failing me now because I can’t see the good at all.
Lena scoffs as we exit the Uber, pushing a pair of oversized sunglasses over her head in the way that makes some women’s hair look straight out of a shampoo commercial. Her tailored red floral dress hugs every single one of her curves as she walks in the sharpest heels I’ve ever seen—and they have to be sharp, since she’s dressed to kill. Lena is channeling Head Bitch In Charge energy, which I’d normally respect. But not now. Not when her intention is to hurt someone and relish in their pain.
“Follow me.”
I’m so caught up in the turmoil of this whole situation that I don’treallyrealize I’m walking intoWill’soffice until our elevator ride all the way up to the thirtieth floor—the top of the building.
“Shit,” I mutter, pulling out my phone to text him as fast as I can while Lena is distracted by the receptionist at the front desk. I hear her demand to see the merchandise team, claiming “They’ll know what it’s about.” Which, duh, of course they will.
Bridget
I’m sure you’ve become aware there’s some sort of shitstorm going on between our two companies (not sure how much your boss chose to share with you), but it’s so bad my boss just dragged me to your HQs.
