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I can see why.
Looking at her now, sitting across from me and explaining project strategy with a confidence I’ve rarely seen her display in Spencer’s orbit, I wonder what she might’ve built for herself if she’d been given the space to do it sooner.
She catches herself gesturing too enthusiastically and laughs before settling her hands back into her lap.
The small flash of self-consciousness feels familiar.
So does the question that follows. Why now? A woman doesn’t decide to reinvent her life on a random weekday.
People make changes because they’re chasing an opportunity or because they’ve finally reached the end of their patience.
My gaze drops briefly to the portfolio resting against her knee before returning to her face.
Is this about a career she’s wanted for years? Did she finally get tired of waiting for Spencer to become the man she deserved? Or did she walk away?
The possibility wedges itself into my thoughts and refuses to leave.
I focus on the notes in front of me, pretending I’m more interested in her résumé than the answer.
The effort lasts about three seconds.
She’s halfway through describing a product launch that nearly collapsed under a public relations nightmare when she starts speaking faster, her hands joining the conversation before she seems aware of it.
“…so we had three vendors threatening to pull out, two executives blaming each other, and an event coordinator who disappeared for six hours. Looking back, I think she may have quit and simply forgotten to tell anyone.”
I bite back a smile. “And what did you do?”
“I bribed people with coffee and convinced everyone the situation was survivable.”
“Your official strategy?”
A laugh threatens. I hide it behind a cough.
Emma notices anyway.
She launches into the next part of the story, explaining how she reorganized the entire schedule with less than twenty-four hours before launch day.
The details are impressive.
The fact that I’m paying attention to the details instead of the way her eyes light up when she’s passionate about a subject feels like a personal achievement.
“…and that’s how we saved the event.”
She’s stopped talking. She’s waiting.
Unfortunately, I’ve spent the last thirty seconds watching her instead of the interview. “Good.”
Emma blinks, and I regret opening my mouth.
“Good?” she repeats.
Outstanding work, Wolf. A true masterclass in executive leadership.
I clear my throat and glance down at my notes as though I’ve been deeply analyzing her answer. “The decision-making process was strong. Continue.”
The corner of her mouth twitches.
The interview has drifted well beyond its original purpose by the time the interruption arrives. Emma answers a question about client management, I ask a follow-up that has very little to do with the position she’s applying for, and she launches into another story that somehow makes me want to hear the rest of it.
