AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As she rode the elevator up to The Sin Bin, her stomach flopped as though she were a kid on the first day of school. When the elevator doors opened, she made a beeline for Talia. She knew what needed to be done. “Talia, can I talk to you?”
“Sure. Bar? Or office?”
“Office.”
“All right. I’ll meet you in there.”
Jordan sat in the office, her heart beating hard. But she needed to do this. Talia was her friend, and this was the right thing to do.
Talia hurried into the office, her face tense with curiosity as she sat down at the desk. “What’s going on, Jordan? You sounded serious. Should I be worried?”
“No, not at all. It’s just something that has been bothering me.”
“Okay.” Talia nodded. “So what’s up? Spill.”
“I’ve been keeping something from you, and I think you deserve to know.” Her stomach flopped with every word.
“Girl, you’re making me nervous!”
“I’m being pursued for another job,” she blurted out.
“Oh.” Talia didn’t respond the way Jordan thought she might. She was calm and not very surprised.
“Yes, it’s true.” She nodded. “I’m not taking it. Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.”
But Talia’s expression didn’t change. “Jordan, are you not happy here?”
“Talia! How could you even ask me that? Of course I am! I love my job at The Sin Bin. I didn’t go looking for this opportunity—it came to me. And I don’t even want it.” Which wasn’t the whole truth. Part of her did.
“What kind of job?”
Her chest hurt. She could never leave Talia hanging—nor could she leave her for Noah’s new place.
“It doesn’t matter. I just wanted you to know.” Jordan watched Talia’s calm expression. A glimmer of a smile played on the corners of Talia’s mouth. That’s when it dawned on her. She narrowed her eyes. “But you already knew, didn’t you?”
Talia smiled. “Noah told me.”
“Why didn’t someone tell me?” Jordan huffed out a breath. “Look Talia, I am loyal to you and The Sin Bin.” Plus, there was no way she could work for him.
“Jordan, listen. I love you. And you are the most kick-ass manager anyone could ever have. And I don’t want to lose you.”
“Which is why I’m not leaving.”
“But you should.”
“What?” Jordan’s eyebrows shot up.
“This job Noah is offering is the next step in your career. It’s something I can’t give you. There is no next tier here. You’ll always be the manager and fill-in boss. At Slap Shot you will be the boss. Sure, there’d be an occasional discussion with Noah, but you’d make all the operational decisions.”
“What are you saying?” None of this made any sense.
“Look, I don’t want you to go, but I need to be honest with you. I believe that Slap Shot is going to be very successful. Harrison has had a few chats with Noah about his business plan and financials, and he was very impressed. And the position Noah is offering you is an amazing opportunity. I’d be a horrible friend if I told you not to go for it.”
“You are kind of a horrible boss for letting someone like me go, though.”
“I know!” Talia laughed. “I should get my head examined. But you’re my friend, and I love you. I want you to be happy and successful.”
“So…?”
