I’m throwing my hat in the ring, and that alone feels good.
Having finally made a decision, I fall asleep smiling.
CHAPTER8
LEAH
“Thank you.” I give the barista a smile, take my latte, and exit the coffee shop.
It’s a beautiful Monday morning, and I’m in an unusually good mood. I still haven’t texted Jack, but I plan on doing so later.
In the meantime, there’s plenty of work to keep busy with, and Taylor and I have plans to go to kickboxing together this evening. My life isn’t exactly full, but I’ve decided to make a commitment to take it there.
Maybe I’ll start with a few houseplants. Or joining a meetup.
Sipping my latte, I contemplate the possibilities and cross the street. My phone goes off in my purse, and I pull it out only to see Taylor’s name.
But why is she calling me right now? We’ll see each other in the office in about five minutes.
Confused, I swipe the answer button. “Hey. What’s up?”
“Have you seen the news?”
I stop outside of the office building. “Not today.”
“And have you talked to anyone yet?”
The tension in her voice makes my chest knot up. “Taylor, what’s going on?”
“Leadsom Inc. went to our shareholders and bought GourmetGlobal. They went behind your back, Leah.”
I blink, her words sinking in. And yet… it still doesn’t seem real.
“What?” I ask.
“The shareholders voted to sell. No one said anything to you about it?”
“No.” I clench my coffee cup as anger boils through me.
Of course the shareholders wouldn’t say anything. They don’t need my vote since I’m only one person.
“I’m so sorry, Leah,” Taylor says. “I can’t believe they did this to you.”
“I can,” I say bitterly. “They never liked me, and they’ve been itching to sell. I just can’t believe Jack…”
My voice catches. I was going to say I couldn’t believe he did this to me, but then again, I’m no one to him. He owes me nothing.
I close my eyes, the pain hot and vibrant. And to think I actually liked the guy. I was planning on trying to date him.
Clearly, I’m nothing to him, though. My app means more to him than my human desires.
“He knew I wasn’t going to sell,” I say between gritted teeth.
“And then he went behind your back,” Taylor solemnly finishes. “What are you going to do?”
I open my eyes. “There’s nothing I can do. How can I fight this? I don’t own those shares.”
Tears are filling my eyes, and I do my best to blink them back. This is so humiliating, so painful.