Page 169 of Hiding in the Outfield

He shakes his head slowly, dark gray gaze locked on me. “No, Francesco. We only have one position open. The one someone was just removed from.”

My jaw goes slack. “Are you asking me to…to fill Nick’s position?”

He dips his chin. “I want you as head of San Francisco.”

Holy fucking shit. “Kieran,” I say weakly. “I’m not remotely qualified for that position.”

He rubs his fingers and thumb over his chin. “I beg to differ.”

He lifts a finger. “You lead multiple clients in Providence, and you’re highly praised for your project management skills.”

He lifts a second. “You passed your final exam, which means you are a conference away from attaining your FSA designation.”

Another finger. “You’re adaptable. You swept in to take over for Cathy without issue. The team loves you. The clients love you.”

Fourth finger. “Managerial experience. You have been an incredible manager to our junior staff. Rosanna said she has had several people request to be switched over to you.”

Thumb. “Client rapport. We are a business built on sales. Clients love you. Do you know the hell I dealt with on Colanova when you left? Our contacts were terrified their account would flounder with you gone. Guess who didn’t get that same reaction when he left—and he was the lead on that account.”

I swallow hard. Wow. “That’s quite the praise.”

“Deserved,” he says crisply. “It comes with added responsibility. You’ll be managing the entire office. I plan to mentor you and provide the guidance you need to grow into the role. You have shown incredible promise since we hired you and have yet to disappoint. Continue that, and you’ll be fine.”

I think I’m speechless. Something Kieran recognizes.

“I’ll send an email with the role details and compensation package.” He stands. “I expect your acceptance by the end of this week.”

I’d raise an eyebrow at his cockiness, but he’s right. Something fizzes in my chest. Head of San Francisco. Little old moi. Running an entire fucking office. It’s so badass. It’s so…everything I could have hoped for. I hadn’t even thought to dream that high.

“I’ll get back to you ASAP,” I say as I walk him out.

He nods, back to silence, and steps out the door.

“Oh, and Francesco?” He looks back over his shoulder at me.

“Hmm?”

“Tell your boyfriend I say congrats on making the playoffs. I hope he can bring home a win for us.”

“Will do.”

It’s not until I close the door that I realize what he just said. My eyes fly wide. He knows. I whip out my phone.

Me

You told Kieran about me and Jackson?!

A moment later.

Gen

Does that mean he just left? How’d it go?

Me

I am glaring at you.

Gen