AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Whatever you thought, you thought wrong. There is no way I’m doing this all again.” Sid set his jaw. “I’m going to make things right with Jayna. And you’re going to help me.”
Emmaline’s eyes grew wide, as did her smile. “Does this mean you’re giving me my job back?”
Sid pondered this for a moment. “No,” he said. Then he smiled. “It means I’m bringing you on as a temporary consultant for a special short-term assignment. We’ll see how it turns out before making any further commitments.”
Emmaline pumped her fist and said, “Yes!” Then she made a show of forcing herself into a more professional demeanor. “You can count on me. What’s the plan?”
Sid folded his arms. “I assume you’ve been working with Hazel behind my back and without authorization to prepare a statement.”
Emmaline bit her lips and nodded in acknowledgement.
Sid shook his head. “Tell her she is officially on notice for discussing sensitive company information with someone outside the circle of trust. Then tweak the statement to acknowledge the one Jayna made, remove any mention of actions we might take, and then release it.”
Emmaline gestured with her fingers. “Done,” she said.
“Contact Legal. Have them standing by.” Sid sighed deeply. “Then set up two meetings. One with the Kingdom of Tangaroa board, and one with Kalani. Schedule the one with him first. I have an apology to make.”
Chapter 41
Interest in the Jubilee Ball disaster quickly burned itself out. Jayna’s conciliatory statement and Sid’s matching follow-up apparently robbed the story of drama, and the streamers quickly moved on to more interesting stories.
If only Jayna could move on so easily.
The first couple of days after her return to San Diego, she’d held out hope that Sid would reach out to her. It hurt that she hadn’t heard from him, but it was probably for the best. He was her boss and getting into a relationship with him had been a mistake, which is why she didn’t try reaching out to him, either.
At first, she had been determined to force Sid from her mind and return to the life she’d had before she’d met him. But it was no use. Despite the outward support and positive comments Jayna received from her friends and castmates, knowing that they had all seen her relationship meltdown robbed her of the joy she had previously found while performing.
After a miserable week, she accepted that she couldn’t remain at Realms of Neptune. Obsidian Hayes may not have been at the park in person, but just knowing he owned the place was too much for her, and she’d given her two weeks’ notice. It was yet one more thing that ill-advised relationship had cost her.
With only a few days left at the park, Jayna saw no point in sticking around for the unscheduled “mandatory” staff meeting. What were they going to do if she skipped? Fire her?
As soon as the show finished, she hurried to the dressing room and changed. Despite her best efforts, she couldn’t help but remember Sid assisting with her merbreather the day they’d first met, and how even then, she’d known there was something special about him.
And that was exactly why she couldn’t stay at Realms.
She hurried from the dressing room before she could be assaulted by any more memories of Sid and headed for the park exit. She was nearly at the gate when the path was blocked by a large, shadowy figure.
Startled, Jayna drew in a sharp breath. She was just about to turn and run when the figure pointed towards the aquatic theater. “Aren’t you supposed to be in that meeting?”
Joy and relief washed over her as she recognized Kalani’s voice. She rushed forward and wrapped him in a tight embrace, fighting back tears as he held her. At last, she found her voice. “What are you doing here?”
“Your goodbye hug expired. I needed a new one.”
Jayna pulled back and narrowed her eyes at Kalani, who was clearly trying hard not to smile. “You did not fly all the way over here just to give me a hug.”
Kalani’s smile broke through and spread across his face. “No, I didn’t. I had some business to take care of.”
Jayna grew concerned, remembering Kalani’s offer to beat up Sid. “What kind of business?”
He shrugged. “You’ll never know if you miss this meeting.”
Her guilt at being caught trying to sneak out was quickly overshadowed by curiosity. “Then I guess I’d better go.”
She looped her arm through his, and together they walked into the theater. Her joy at seeing Kalani was replaced with trepidation as she took in the theater seats full of park employees. She attempted to steer him towards the high seats, but Kalani shook his head and gestured towards the front.
“Are you kidding me?” Jayna asked, aware that every eye in the theater was on them.
“Nope,” he said, and though his smile remained, Jayna could tell he was serious.
