Page 20 of A Cozy Kind of Christmas
How dare he show up and try to apologize with flowers?
Freaking flowers?
Like an expensive bouquet would solve everything.
After he’d interviewed for her job.
What an ass.
She grabbed her bag and locked the door behind her.
This was good. This was what she needed—a little escape, a reset, time to figure out her next power move. She vowed when she came home that she would never, never let a man like Connor distract her from her career again.
Johanna needed to be singularly focused on her career. Changes were brewing. The rumors that had been circulating for months about a restructuring project—never what you wantedto hear as a mid-level employee—were obviously true. But this wasn’t done.
Oh, no.
Connor had another think coming if he thought she was going to roll over and die.
She hadn’t clawed her way up the ladder and worked this hard for a guy like Connor, who saw her as nothing more than a casual hookup, to steal it out from under her.
Nope. Not a chance.
She was swearing off Connor—and men—for good.
The only thing that mattered now was work.
She would help Meg with this story and brainstorm her next move.
She needed Meg to deliver a sparkling story—one that showcased Meg’s sharp instincts and insight. It was just the kind of collaboration that might help her beat Connor at his own game. The sports world was still dominated by men like Connor, and she was officially done playing by their rules.
This getaway wasn’t just a temporary escape. This was her chance to strategize how to position herself as a powerhouse at ESPN—or go in a new direction.
Over the past few years, plenty of networks had come calling with very enticing and tempting offers. She’d turned them down gracefully and professionally because she had really believed her future was at ESPN. Now, she wasn’t so sure.
Maybe it was time to think outside the box.
Maybe it was time for her to walk away.
Did she want to work for a bunch of old boys who would toss her aside as soon as Connor flashed his smug grin and offered to bro up with them?
No.
Absolutely not.
Their loss.
Johanna King had plenty to offer.
She wasn’t just another editor in a blazer and heels.
She was fierce and fabulous.
She was bold and built for more.
This weekend was her chance to prove it.
THIRTEEN
