Page 79 of A Cozy Kind of Christmas
She should have spoken up sooner. If only she’d told him how she felt, maybe, just maybe…
No, don’t go there.
“That’s why this is particularly hard.” Matt cleared his throat. His face turned an unnatural shade of white as he shifted from one foot to the other. A hush fell over the crowd. No one moved. “Howard, I’m so sorry to do this—now.” He paused and turned toward his boss, speaking directly to Howard Hinton. “I tried to explain my reservations about announcing this before the party got started. I wasn’t sure I wanted this job, grateful though I am for all you’ve done for me. It’s been an amazing experienceworking for you and Blazen. But I am sure now. I can’t take the promotion. I’m leaving the company.”
FIFTY-ONE
MEG
Murmurs broke out all around her. Meg tried to make sense of what Matt was saying.
He was leaving Blazen?
He wasn’t taking the promotion?
Lucinda went ghostly white.
Matt stared at the floor as an uncomfortable hum fell over the crowd.
Howard Hinton remained perfectly still. Not a single muscle in his face betrayed him.
Matt leaned closer to the mic, now speaking to the crowd. “I’m so sorry, everyone. I know tonight’s supposed to be a celebration, and I know good things lie ahead for Blazen and this incredible team. I tried to explain, but my time at the company has prepared me for what’s next, and there’s one person in this room tonight who has finally inspired me to stop being scared and consumed with doing the next right thing and take a chance for once.”
Did he mean her? Meg craned to see over the throng of people in front of her.
Damn, talk about the wrong time to be short.
“Meg, Megs, are you still here?” Matt placed one hand over his eyes and systematically searched the crowd.
Meg jumped and waved. “I’m here. I’m here.”
Matt must not have heard her because he continued anyway. “Please don’t misunderstand. I’m extremely proud of my tenure at the company, and I’m committed to sticking around to find my replacement and the next CEO, but thanks to my friend Meg and her spunky, no-fear attitude, I’m ready to do something radical. I’m ready to invest in myself.”
Everyone cheered and applauded.
Howard Hinton looked dumbfounded, but he gave Matt a clap on the back and whispered something in Matt’s ear that instantly made Matt’s face light up. Meg felt like she was floating up with the Christmas ornaments. Matt was leaving the company.
He wasn’t proposing?
She wasn’t too late?
Relief flooded her body as she squeezed forward, trying to inch her way to the stage.
She was on a singular mission—get to Matt.
Matt.
Her Matt.
Could this really be happening?
Was it a dream?
Suddenly, she felt a familiar hand on her shoulder. She turned, and there he was, by her side. A bolt of heat jolted through her body.
“Megs, you are still here.” His voice was breathless as if he’d been searching. “I wasn’t sure. I couldn’t see you. Did you? Did you hear?”
“You’re quitting?” She looked up at him, trying to employ every technique Gam had taught her as her pulse hammered in her ears. God, could he hear it, too?
