Page 33 of Book Club Confidential

Peyton wasn’t older or more experienced. And frankly, he wasn’t good at the job. He was good at networking. An excellent salesperson. A company asset, sure, but not in advertising. She wasn’t even certain his degree was in a related field. She jokingly called him a frat boy, but did he have a degree?

Pressure welled in her chest as she returned Xavier’s stare. Was he ever in her corner? Rooting for her to rise up and work at his side? Or did he consider her just an overeager coffee fetcher and receptacle for accounts not quite worthy of his attention? A try hard.

“I’ll take a look at your new contract,” he said. “As for Peyton, he hasn’t been here as long as you have. He doesn’t have the experience to handle something of this magnitude on his own, and he needs your talent on this. I need you on this.”

Yet he’d handed the pitch directly to Peyton.

Her brows furrowed. She wanted to ask when he’d ever assigned a female agent to an account selling products specifically made for men. She didn’t bother, because she knew the answer. Never.

“Do you understand?” he asked.

Tessa clenched her jaw. It sounded like an ultimatum, and she would not comply with that. She hated bullies, and it broke her heart that Xavier had become one.

Why wasn’t there an all-female marketing firm? Tessa would walk out of Xavier’s office and apply immediately, if one existed. Working with women who understood the female experience, surrounded by feminine energy and strength? That was the dream. No male gaze, judgment, or resentment? Sign her up.

Alas, there was only this.

Xavier’s desk phone rang, and he glanced at the screen. “I think we’re done here,” he said, lifting the receiver. “Send me the details on your new contract, then meet with Peyton about the L and L pitch.” He pressed the phone to his ear, effectively dismissing her.

Tessa left the room with tears in her eyes and rage in her core.

“Psst!” The sound shot into her thoughts as she passed the ladies’ room.

Nina waved from the slightly opened door. “Psst!”

Tessa changed course, and a hand of hot-pink fingernails snatched her arm as she drew near.

Millie pulled her inside, closed the door, and pressed her back to it. Before her stood Nina, Josephine, and Cindy, a new intern. The older women wore expressions of immediacy. Cindy looked as if she’d been caught in a crossfire.

“What’s happening?” Tessa asked.

“I just came in to use the bathroom,” Cindy said.

Millie opened the door and motioned for her to leave. She smashed a finger to her lips as Cindy left.

“There,” Millie said, her back to the closed door once more. “What did Xavier say? Did he fire you?”

Tessa felt her eyes bulge. “No! Why would he fire me?” Surely saying no to the L and L pitch team wasn’t grounds for dismissal. Right?

Nina crossed her arms. “We don’t know what’s going on with him lately. He’s making terrible business decisions all over the place. Passing you up for the promotion. Giving the L and L account to Peyton. Is he kidding?”

Josephine nodded. “The way he kept asking about you this morning, then when he went to reception to collect you the minute you entered the building—” Her eyes widened. “I knew it was going to be bad,” she whispered.

“He didn’t collect me,” Tessa said. “He was looking for me when I walked off the elevator. It was a case of good timing. That’s all.”

“Was it?” Millie asked. “What did he want?”

“He wants me to help Peyton on the Lilacs and Lace pitch.”

The women gasped.

“The nerve!” Josephine said.

Tessa nodded.

“I think palling around with all the new guys makes him feel young again,” Millie said, thoughtfully. “Maybe he’s having a midlife crisis. He bought that new convertible this summer.”

Nina crossed her arms and fixed a cool gaze on Tessa. “What did you say?” she asked. “Are you going to do it? Because if so, I’ll give you the work I started on the color palette. If not, that file will never see the light of day. In fact, it never existed. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”