Page 88 of When the Walls Come Down
Yep. Even mistakes too.
But I really didn’t want him to be one of them.
“I need to go home,” I mumbled into Heath’s chest.
He released me and arched a brow. “I don’t suppose you mean Atlanta, do you?”
I grinned. “No. But assuming I can convince him to take me back, I promise to bring Shane down for a visit soon.”
His lips formed a hard slash that he managed to twist into a grimace. “Oh goodie. Can’t wait.”
It was late and a six-hour drive back to San Francisco, but sleep-until-two Maggie was prepared for the job.
Heath carried my bag to the car and then stood outside as I drove away. I couldn’t quite tell if he was happy or silently cursing himself for talking me around, but either way, I was grateful to have him.
At the first stoplight, I picked up my phone to check a text.
It was the grainy, zoomed-in screenshot of my mother smiling. Also known as the soon-to-be new home screen on my phone.Heath: She’d be proud of you too.I hoped he was right.
About everything.The brewery officially sent out an email wishing me the best of luck in my new endeavors and congratulating Maggie on the new position, welcoming her aboard as my replacement, and inviting the team to a small party after hours at the brewery on Saturday night to celebrate.
My RSVP was a solid maybe, but I thanked Casey for the gesture.
His email reply was simple and totally my magnanimous CEO brother-in-law.Shithead,
Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to, and I hope we see you this weekend. Seriously, either way, you’re in no position to turn down all you can drink free beer—my beer at that. This place won’t be the same without you.
It can’t go without saying: Blake and I will always be here for you. You deserve a lot and you’ll get everything you want when the time is right—because, brother, timing is everything. But if Warren Consulting folds in a few months, I’ll be happy to write you a glowing reference letter. My money is on you though.
Your ex-bossSince Maggie was out all day Tuesday too and I had no clue on Earth what turn my week was going to make after that night, I took the opportunity to say my formal goodbyes to my former staff. My sister was super excited (read: annoyed as hell) when I called her to have Two Ships cater lunch at the last minute for what I’d decided was my last day there.
Once again, I’d owe her one.
In the conference room, talking and laughing about all the pain-in-the-ass accounts and tight situations my former team and I had gotten Bay into, out of, and through over the past few years, I felt a sense of nostalgia and—for whatever reason—peace.
“Last day, huh? You’re packing it in, then?” Vic asked while scooping another pile of pasta onto his plate.
The fact that I’d ordered an Italian lunch was only all too telling about where my mind really was. I wished Maggie were there and that things were different, but over the past few crazy weeks, I’d learned that moving forward doesn’t always mean in a straight line. Sometimes it meant taking a detour or two.
Regardless, it was my last day at Bay Brewing and I was going to be fine. Professionally.
Personally? I wasn’t so sure.
My instincts told me that Maggie loved me too and I’d scared the shit out of her, but my rational mind told me I might have completely pushed her too far. Pushed her away. Completely.
Neither of us was to blame for wanting the lives we did.
“Yep, but you’re in good hands,” I told Vic. And it was true too, because even though I knew Maggie had gone to LA because I’d upset her and overwhelmed her, she’d still been making sure operations and deadlines were being met even while she was out of the office.
She was right for the job.
She was right for everything as far as I was concerned. That was never the issue. The dilemma was: If I was right for her? I guessed I’d find out that night when she got home.
I didn’t have many personal items at the office, and it only took a few hours to clean out my desk after lunch. I left the appropriate passwords, instructions, and my rolodex in plain sight where anyone who’d need them would find whatever they required without trouble. Aside from that, they all knew they could call my phone if they needed me.
I wasn’t going far. Hell, my new office was my dining room table for the time being, which was all I’d need until I started hiring staff and meeting in-house with clients. That wouldn’t be for at least a few months.
Before I knew it, everyone I’d worked with had popped in to say their goodbyes and most said they’d see me Saturday at the party. I prayed they were right.
