AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, it’s everything you’ve worked for. I was fine freelancing, working remotely.”
What are they saying?
“It’s our dream.” It’s all we talked about when we graduated college.
Setting their wrap down on my desk, they pin me with a look. “Our dream was to make enough money to travel and see the world.”
I shake my head.
“Yes, Mae. That was the dream. Not dredging ourselves in corporate-America bullshit until we croak.”
Tears burn behind my eyes. If I was a man, this wouldn’t be happening. Powerful men respect other powerful men, but when it comes to women, they are hardwired to think about nothing but what’s between her legs.
“Maybe you should hire another partner. I’m failing you.” My chin dips with my mood. “Maybe a guy would do better in this position.”
Jay’s face hardens. “Miranda Everly Keller, do not make me come over there and shake you.” They sigh. Warm, kind eyes erase the anger from their tone. “Why would you say such a thing? Ever Heart is you and me, end of. If you’re out, then I’m out. As simple as that.”
“It’s not simple though, Jay. You and Ian want a family someday, don’t you? I have Isabel, and we have a hundred other employees depending on us for their salary.” Meeting my best friend’s eyes, I plead, “I can’t look at them and tell them it’s over.”
“If we have to lay anyone off, we’ll do it together.” Jay’s mouth moves without words as if they want to say something of delicate nature. They draw their shoulders up, confessing, “If that was our only option, I’d rather lay off a hundred employees than lose a single you.”
I suck in a breath because that’s not the business ethos we should practice.
Jay raises their palms. “Look, I know what I said is inconsiderate, but it’s how I feel.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s the best decision for Ever Heart.”
Jay’s demeanor hardens. “We work well together—you have my back, and I have yours. You kill it in the boardroom. In my opinion, you’re a better leader than most people I know. Why on earth would you think a man would be a better fit than you?”
My shoulders slump because I have to tell them what happened, even though I really don’t want to. I was able to distract them with the Hot Manny Peen Gate incident, but I can’t put this off anymore. “Because I won’t put out, and if a man was in my position, he wouldn’t have been propositioned. Dexico would sign on because you are the most talented graphic artist out there.”
They raise one perfectly threaded eyebrow. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”
I bite the inside of my cheek because I can’t say it.
Jay crosses their arms in front of them. “Out with it, or I’m telling the hot manny you want his monster dick.”
Pretty sure he already knows. Blowing out my cheeks, I spill, “That night, Paul wasn’t interested in talking about the proposal.”
Their forehead creases. “Why in the hell did he request a meeting?”
“Because he wanted to negotiate between my legs instead of in a conference room.” My words feel like bullets, sniping any man who ever took without asking. Any man who’ll gleefully hold a woman under their thumb. Especially those who want to maintain the good-ol’-boys’-club exclusivity.
My best friend’s six-two frame is imposing when they stand at full height. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”
I rush to Jay’s side and hold onto their arm with both hands. “You can’t kill him. I already threw a glass of wine in his face in front of the whole restaurant. Told him I’d talk to the press if he ever tried this shit again.”
“Why the hell didn’t you call me and tell me that night?”
“Because you were with Ian. I didn’t want to spoil that.”
“You know what, Mae? That’s complete bullshit. Just because I met someone doesn’t mean I’m not here for you. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” Jay is a ray of sarcastic sunshine. They rarely get upset with me, but by the ticking of their jaw, I can tell they’re ready to give me a lecture. “We’re a team. We’ve always been a team. Even when we are committed to other people, we’re still going to be a goddamned team.”
My throat prickles as tears threaten to spill. “I know.”
“Mija, I love my job, what we’ve built, but I don’t want to do this at the expense of your well-being.” They look around my thirtieth-floor office in the heart of Chicago’s business district. “Do we really need all this?”
I back away. “Are you saying you don’t?”
