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“I’ve withdrawn my resignation,” Phillip said.
“Yes.” I didn’t try to hide my excitement. “Fuck yeah. Told you that you couldn’t quit us.”
He clucked and shook his head. “You didn’t say that specifically, but you are right.”
“And Phillip’s moving into the role of Director of Art.” Judith’s words brought my brain grinding to a halt.
What in the ever living fuck? He couldn’t. I’d done everything right. I’d made this company shine in the public eye. If I thought I felt betrayed before—
“Before you blow a fuse.” Judith cut off the thought, and I clenched my jaw. “I wanted to have this conversation with you in private, Dustin, but I also didn’t want this news getting back to you before you and I spoke. I’m really impressed with the work you’ve done. More than your job. You’ve gone above and beyond. I didn’t think we’d need a marketing team when we started, but we wouldn’t have come this far without you. You don’t have to answer me now, but I’d like you to start a new team as Director of Marketing and Community.”
Wait. What? I let out a short laugh. “No. Yeah? You’re serious.”
She started back, expression bland. “Have you ever known me to joke?”
“There was that one time—”
“Shut it.” She cut Phillip off with a glare.
He shrugged.
I wanted to hear that story.
Judith turned back to me. “Think about it. Get me your answer by Wednesday.”
“There’s no need. My answer is yes.” Absolutely. This was better than I expected. This was… wow.
“Great,” Judith said. “Contracts will be in your emails in the next couple of days. Office is Phillip’s. Dustin, pick one of the empty rooms for you and your team. Adrienne, go home. For the rest of the week. What are you even doing here?”
“I told Dustin I’d help him with the interview.” Addie’s reply was firm.
“I don’t care,” Judith said. “And this isn’t up for negotiation. How did you even get here? Tell me you’re not driving.”
“Cole dropped me off.”
Judith rolled her eyes. “That man, I swear.”
“I begged him to.”
I’d never seen anyone counter Judith so completely, without sounding even a smidge aggressive. Another reason to be impressed with Addie.
“One of you take her home. Now.” With that, Judith left.
“Do you think she actually meant now?” Phillip looked at us.
I shook my head. “No. I’m sure there was some room for interpretation.”
“Do I get a say in this?” Addie asked. “I feel like I should be the one to say where I go and when and with whom.”
“I mean, yeah, but also… if the boss says go home do you really argue?” That didn’t make sense to me. At least not as a general concept.
Addie scrunched up her nose. “Phillip’s my boss now.”
“Judith’s word still overrides mine,” Phillip said.
This was ridiculous. We were wasting words when something far more important needed to be discussed. “I’ll take you back to Graham’s. If you want. But first”—I rested a gentle hand on her cheek, careful to avoid the bruises, and brushed my lips lightly over hers. I wanted to do more, but I didn’t want to hurt her. “I have to tell you I love you.”
Pink crept up her neck. “That’s… anti-climactic.”
