Page 6 of Let's Call a Truce
“I apologize for cutting you off before,” I spat out with forced civility. “Please, give me the rundown of your team so we can move on from this pleasant interaction.”
“Is that for me?”
My brow crinkled as I tried to catch up. “Is what for you?”
He jerked his head toward the coffee.
I looked down at his apology coffee, weighing my options. Then I lifted it over the small trash can at the end of his desk, maintaining eye contact before I let it drop, thethudechoing through the office.
“Guess not.” His eyes sparked with a challenge.
His mouth kicked up a smidge, like in the staff meeting, and I found my gaze locked on the motion. When I looked back at his eyes, a self-satisfied gleam turned them predatory. I cleared my throat and turned back to my notebook, ready to get this damn meeting over with.
Ben ran through the information I needed with an efficiency I would have respected from anyone else. He might have been an ass, but at least he was good at his job. And passionate. That smile from the break room came back in full force as he talked through each person on his team and what they’d accomplished.
His commitment to his team made me wonder if I should clear the air before leaving. To make peace and start this new job—this new life, really—without any conflict. My fingertips played over the door handle as I considered what I’d say.
“Juliana,” he called, as I hesitated.
When I turned to look at him, I thought there was a flash of regret in his eyes, but a second later, all that remained was his scrutinizing gaze.
“Close the door behind you,” he barked, turning back to his computer.
I straightened my spine, glaring at the side of his head, even though he didn’t seem to notice. “The word you were looking for is ‘please.’ Even my five-year-old knows that.”
I slammed his door behind me and shot down the hallway. I forced myself to round the corner as my breaths came quicker. Once I was out of view of his office, I let my head fall backagainst the wall, tears pricking my eyes. Ben’s words hit on every insecurity I had in returning to the workforce. I was too out of touch from my time at home. I was going to be a bad employee or a bad mother or, worst case, both.
After a one-minute pity party, I pushed myself away from the wall with a new determination to prove him and myself wrong.
And god willing, I wouldn’t have to work with that man for a long time.
Chapter 3
TWO YEARS LATER
One more email. That’s all I had time for. I had to get this out, and then Ihadto be out the door. Otherwise, I’d be late, and my kids would be left disappointed.
Again.
Work had never been busier. The two promotions in as many years—clearly Icoulddo this job, contrary to some opinions—left me with a whole team to supervise and not enough time to do it in.
The clock was moving too quickly when my phone rang. I should have let it go to voicemail to be dealt with on Monday, but my hand moved on muscle memory, bringing the receiver to my ear.
“Juliana Ryan. How may I help you?” I answered without looking at the caller ID, eyes scanning the email for typos before hittingSEND.
“I have a new position I want filled as soon as possible.”
Goose bumps spread across my body, and I wondered if the devil made everyone else’s stomach turn like this. But if he hadn’t managed to cow me in the past two years, I wasn’t letting him start now.
“See, I think words like ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are so important. When my kids are disrespectful, I make them start over from the beginning. Let’s see how you do next time.” I hung up without giving him a chance to respond. My phone rang again in half a second.
“Juliana Ryan. How may I help you?”
“Did you just hang up on me?”
“Not what I was looking for. Try again.” Down went the receiver. With no one around to see, I let myself indulge in a giant, smug smile.
Ring-ring.
