“Hello?” He grunts. Oh great, I get to deal with annoyed Pierce. Better for me to catch his ire than Piper, though.
I don’t bother with pleasantries. He didn’t when he sent the text message, and doesn’t deserve it from me. Especially when I have an idea of how this call will go.
“What exactly are you insinuating I did?” Better to be the one confronting him than the other way around.
“You let Piper make all those posts on social media. She was at your house. You could have easily said you didn’t want to do it.”
How the hell is he going to dictate what I do in my house? That’s the thing with Pierce, though. He thinks he can steamroll over anyone he wants. Too bad life doesn’t work that way. One day someone is going to push back and won’t be nice about it. I actually hope I’m around to see it happen.
“Her making those short posts was better than her initial plan.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, she was going to go live. I talked her out of that.” I take a second to gather my thoughts. He needs to realize this was the better option, and the more controlled one. But it won’t stop me from giving my two cents. “If you would give her some creative space on the socials, she wouldn’t feel the need to go behind your back and do it.”
“That’s beside the point. I gave her a template to post. She strayed from that.” According to him, whatever he says goes. He doesn’t care about anyone else’s input. My eyes roam the office to make sure I’m not getting anyone’s attention.
“Did you know she consulted me about marketing tactics?”
He’s silent on the other end. The words were out of my mouth before I realize it. Who knows if she mentioned it in the presentation. If he didn’t know, it’s too late now.
“No. Why would she? It’s not her job.”
Well, that answered the question about him knowing. Paul is making a huge mistake letting Pierce make all the decisions with Starlit Fields. It’s this closeminded thinking that’s going to tank the company.
“Because she sees a bigger future for the winery. Her presentation laid it all out. Those were the points we talked about. She also had me come up with a scaled down marketing plan in case you turned it down.”
“Because we don’t know if what she’s planning will work.”
“You’ll never know unless you try.”
“I’ve made my decision. You are Piper’s voice of reason. Make sure she doesn’t go behind my back again.”
Why does he think he can order me around? Never in the years I’ve known him has he pulled this crap. He’s always treated me like an annoying brother and acted like I wasn’t there. But I just put myself on his radar when it comes to the winery. I don’t understand why he thinks he has any sway over me.
“And if I don’t? I can’t control her every action, and I don’t want to.”
Silence fills the air and I wonder if he’s hung up. I pull the phone away from my ear and check the screen. The call is still open. Whatever comes out of his mouth next won’t be good.
“If you don’t, I’ll find someone to handle the socials and office the way I believe it should be done.”
Wait…he can’t be saying what I think he is. Does he mean he’ll fire her?
Before I can argue he hangs up. He always has to have the last word. I’ve known what Piper has gone through, but this is the first time I can honestly imagine what it feels like to be in her shoes.
The urge to call him back is overwhelming. It’ll make things worse, and the last thing I want is for him to take it out on Piper.
How the hell am I supposed to be supportive of what she wants to do when it comes to the winery while also making sure she doesn’t lose her job. She can’t know about what he just told me. At least, not yet.
I set my phone on my desk and get back to work. These clients won’t take care of themselves. Too bad my concentration is now blown to bits.
My hand inches toward my phone again. Not to call Pierce, but to warn Piper her brother is in a mood and to steer clear of him. Her well-being is all I care about.
“Beau.” Cole appears at the side of my desk. I didn’t even see him walk up, and I push my phone to the side. The last thing I need is for him to tattle on me for being on the phone. He’s a nice guy, but he’ll do anything to get a leg up in the company.
“Yeah?” Dealing with him isn’t on my agenda today. Not after talking to Pierce.
“The boss wants to see you.” He nods toward the office on the other side of the room. “He said you can finish up what you’re working on first.”
