Page 80 of Miss Manage

Chapter Forty-Four

CHARLOTTE

After landing in San Diego, I debated going straight home instead of into the office. Traffic was already stacking up, and the idea of my couch and a glass of wine was more appealing than continuing the workday.

But a message from Rosie cemented my decision to go into the office. The owners wanted to see me.

I hadn’t expected the brothers in the office this week, and their sudden appearance could only mean one thing: they were ready to announce their decision.

Nerves kicked in. I glanced at my phone, but there was no message from Gabriel.

A strange mix of relief and disappointment twisted through me. I was the one who’d insisted we keep work and whatever this was separate, especially while the decision hung over us. But I’d also missed him these last couple of days.

The building was nearly empty by the time my Uber dropped me off. I left my carry-on in my office and paused at Gabriel’s darkened doorway. A hollow ache pressed into my ribs. Had he already met with them? Had he already been named CEO?

He deserved it. He was smart, driven, a natural leader. I would be happy for him. That’s what I told myself even as a pit hollowed out in my stomach. Because no one had bled for Arrow the way I had. No one knew the company, the client portfolio, and people like I did. And I’d nailed the interview. Every question. I was the right person for this job.

But there was more than one right choice. And I’d try to make peace with that realization.

Rosie greeted me outside the executive conference room with a kind smile. I handed over my phone, that small ritual of surrender, and squared my shoulders for whatever awaited.

“Charlotte, welcome,” Reggie greeted warmly. Ronald’s gaze was hooded, unreadable.

We exchanged pleasantries. Small talk about New York and the two clients I’d met with. The easy stuff. Then Reggie’s next words made my skin prickle.

“Have you spoken with Gabriel?”

“No, not since yesterday afternoon for a catch-up,” I responded carefully.

Ronald’s look toward his brother was heavy before he answered. “We met with him earlier. Unfortunately, Arrow has parted ways with him.”

“May I ask why?”

Reggie gave a long, theatrical sigh. “He didn’t take the news that he wasn’t chosen as CEO very well. And when he started throwing you under the bus, we knew it was over.”

Ice laced my veins. “Threw me under the bus how?”

Reggie adjusted his collar. “He claimed Julian made you uncomfortable in San Francisco at dinner, and it would never happen with him. Because he’s a man.”

“He said that?” The floor was tilting beneath me.

Ronald leaned in, lips curling. “He even went so far as to say Julian propositioned you causing you to be physically sick afterward. Is that true?”

Not only had Gabriel broken his promise of silence, he’d betrayed me by weaponizing it. I forced a brittle smile. “It was nothing I couldn’t handle. Has Julian complained?”

Reggie shook his head. “On the contrary, he sings your praises. But it’s troubling, Charlotte. Disturbing to see Gabriel act so unprofessionally.”

Disturbing. Yes. But not only for the reasons they thought.

“Anyhow, if you ask me, Gabriel’s ego was too big. HR has it handled with the paperwork, and security, of course, has ensured his access has been removed.”

I was barely listening, my head nodding automatically as their words blurred together. The room felt too warm.

“Best to steer clear of him,” Ronald added casually. “He was quite angry you were still in the running.”

The words snagged, slow to register. Still in the running?

“Wait. In the running?” I repeated, my voice tighter than I meant it to be. “I thought—” I stopped myself before blurting out that I thought I had the job. “I assumed since Gabriel didn’t get the job, you’d made your choice.”