“I didn’t ask you to come.”
“You didn’t need to ask.I’m trying to save your career.”He stepped closer, and she fought the urge to step back.“You had a meltdown, Cassidy.A public, embarrassing meltdown that could have ended everything.I fought for you.I convinced the board to give you this sabbatical instead of letting you go.And this is how you repay me?By playing festival coordinator in some backwater town?”
The words should have stung.They were designed to sting, to remind her of her lowest moment and make her grateful for his intervention.
Instead, they just made her angry.
“I didn’t have a meltdown because I was weak,” she said, her voice steady.“I had a problem because I was working myself to death for a company that didn’t care if I burned out.For a boss who measures people by their productivity instead of their humanity.”
David’s jaw tightened.“That’s the real world, Cassidy.That’s how business works.”
“Then maybe I don’t want to work in your version of business anymore.”
“Don’t be naive.”He glanced past her, and his expression shifted into something colder.“Is this about him?”
Cassidy turned to see Bryan approaching, his face carefully blank.He carried two bottles of water, and he handed one to Cassidy without looking at David.
“Everything okay?”Bryan asked.
David answered before Cassidy could.“We’re having a private conversation.”
“Cassidy?”Bryan’s eyes stayed on her face, ignoring David completely.
“It’s fine,” Cassidy said.She took the water bottle, grateful for something to do with her hands.“Bryan, this is David Wilde, my boss.David, this is Bryan Lucas.He’s the co-chair of the festival committee.”
“The festival committee.”David’s tone made it sound like she’d said the local garbage collection service.“How impressive.”
Bryan’s expression didn’t change, but recognition flickered in his eyes.He’d met men like David before who looked at people like Bryan and saw nothing worth their time.
“We should probably get back to work,” Bryan said to Cassidy.“The stage needs to be secured, and there are more tents to put up.”
“Tents!”David shook his head.“Cassidy, get in the car.This is absurd.”
“I’m not getting in the car.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said I need more time, and I meant it.”She straightened her shoulders.“I’ll give you my answer when I’m ready.Not before.”
“I need you on the Phillips account,” he said coldly.“But if not, I’ll find someone else.”
He didn’t wait for a response.He just turned and walked back to his rental car, stepping carefully around a puddle like the water might contaminate his fancy shoes.The engine started with a purr that sounded obscenely out of place against the backdrop of volunteers and cleanup efforts.
She watched him drive away, and her shoulders loosened.
“That’s your boss?”Bryan asked after a long moment.
“Unfortunately.”
“He seems like a real piece of work.”
“He is.”She took a long drink of water.“He’s also offering me everything I’ve worked for.A salary I can barely comprehend.”
“Then I guess you have a choice to make, don’t you?”
