Page 50 of For One Night

I release a heavy sigh as I stare at my desk. I swear, the stacks of files get bigger every day. Sitting behind them, I roll my shoulders before diving in again. Lachlan has this company running like a fine-tuned machine.

“If we make it through another month with me, it’ll shock me.” No sooner than I say it does my brother burst through the door. It’s as if he heard me.

“Why in the hell did you fire Ms. Minney?” he snarls, grinding his teeth.

I sit back, readying for a fight. “We didn’t mesh well.”

“Mesh well? What the fuck are you talking about?” His nostrils flare.

I trace my mustache with my fingers, biding my time. “Listen to me, please.”

“Fine! But this better be good.” He crosses his arms, steam coming out of his ears.

We’re immediately in a stare off that I intend to win. “I know you want what’s best for this company. I do too.”

“Go on.”

I run my hand down my pants, drying them. “We’re in the middle of moving the headquarters to Cherry Grove, you’re leaving for you honeymoon soon, but the most important thing to me is finding someone who sees the future of this place as I do.”

He sits across from me. “I agree, it needs to be the company’s vision.”

“Nicole, Ms. Minney, if you will, offered so much for the growth here, but I want to expand and grow with it. We didn’t see eye to eye on that.”

He studies me, I’m sure to gauge if I’m being truthful. “You need someone in here teaching you things I can’t or don’t know about with our growth and move. We’ll have two sites to keep up and running, and it’s best to do it smoothly.”

“I agree. I’m totally where you are on this, but she wasn’t a good fit for me.”

He laces his hands behind his head, stalling me, before scrubbing both over his face. “Fine! Fine. Tell me what you need so I can be sure the next business manager fits your needs and wants.”

“Maybe allow me to help.” I fold my arms.

“I have one more in mind. Let’s try this one and if it’s still a no go, I’ll bring you in on the hiring.” He peers at me, waiting on my affirmation.

“I can handle that, as long as you continue to trust my judgment.”

“One more, Lennox.” He stands, leaning over me. “Please don’t make me call third strike.”

I hold three fingers. “I promise to not make you play baseball at our age.”

“Can you be serious for five minutes?” He leers at me.

I lay my hand over my mouth, trying not to laugh. “I can, but I’d prefer to laugh at your serious face.”

“I don’t want you to fail. I want this for you.” I stare at him. His face is marred with tension.

I stand, working my way around to him. “I know you’re worried, but don’t be. Please. I promise you, all I want to do is to make my family proud.”

“I know, and I only want the same thing.” I place my hand on his shoulder. “I want you to be proud also.”

“I am.” I’m also fucking scared to death. “We’ve got this.”

He pauses, his face wrought with concern. “One more thing.”

“Okay, what is it?”

He rubs the back of his neck, warning me this is big. “Maisyn and I are set to leave next week, for two weeks.”

“I know. I bet she’s excited.”