Page 7 of Miss Manage

“Anything besides a fondness for multiple meetings I should know about your management style?” I asked, letting my displeasure be known.

She didn’t flinch. Didn’t bother defending herself, either. Instead, she leveled me with a steady look and stated bluntly, “I value truth and transparency.”

Fair enough. I leaned forward, deciding to give her both. “Then in the spirit of transparency, you should know I’ll be applying for the CEO position.”

Not even the twitch of an eyelash. “Given your résumé and current role, I’d be surprised if you didn’t.”

Color me intrigued. “And it isn’t a problem for you? Knowing I intend to take your job?”

“Apply for my job,” she corrected smoothly. “And it would be, if I wasn’t a professional and let it become a distraction. Just like it will be a problem if you can’t respect the position I hold in the meantime.”

Maybe she was overconfident. Or maybe she’d already been promised the position. The title of acting CEO often meant the decision had been made behind closed doors long before anyone else knew. Given the timing of the merger, such a fait accompli wouldn’t surprise me. It was disappointing, but possible, that her permanent appointment was already locked in, and her current role was for show.

Still, I wasn’t about to give up. “I’ll respect the position,” I stated, voice steady, “and there’s no distraction which will keep me from doing an excellent job for you or for this company. What you should know about me as your COO is that I work hard and expect the same from others. I can be blunt, sometimes critical, but I’m always fair.”

Her perfectly arched brow twitched the faintest amount. “Good to hear.”

She rose, the subtle finality in the gesture making it clear our time was over. Just as well. I didn’t like the way my body was reacting to our verbal sparring.

Stepping into the hall felt like drawing my first full breath of the morning. The tension in her office clung to me, sharper than I cared to admit.

Three months was all I was giving this. By then, either I’d be sitting in the CEO’s chair or someone else would. And if it was someone else, I’d walk away and find the next challenge.

Either way, working with Charlotte Green and her obsession for meetings was nothing more than a temporary inconvenience.

“Hi again.” Olivia stood up from her desk, all smiles.

“Hi.” It was still hard to believe this young woman was the gangly teenager who used to live next door.

“Let me know when you have some time. Will be good to get access to your calendar and your email if you feel comfortable with it. I’m in from eight to five each day, but can stay for overtime if needed.”

“You’ll be assisting me as well?”

She grinned. “Yes, you, Charlotte, and a few others. Unless you’d like someone different?”

“Of course not. I’m happy to have your help. And I’m ready to start now if you are.” Truth be told, having Olivia’s insight into the company would be useful.

“Come on. I’ll show you the digs.”

I followed her into the office beside Charlotte’s. Slightly smaller, but furnished in the same sleek style, with the same sweeping view of the San Diego harbor glittering beneath the morning sun. My one box, only a few personal items I’d brought from London, sat on the desk. What could I say? I traveled light.

“Did they give you your laptop?” she asked.

“Yes. Tech’s imaging it and will bring it up once it’s done.”

“Great. I can help you get organized. Let me grab some supplies.”

She came back with two boxes of items like pens, pencils, and notebooks.

“Appreciate the help. How are your parents?” I inquired, as we set things up on my desk.

“They’re great. Still in the same house in the old neighborhood.”

I pictured my former neighbors who’d never missed a holiday. In December, their yard was always decked out like the Griswolds.

Her voice dropped with curiosity. “Um, hope this is okay, but you know I’m dying to see pics of Samantha.”

I pulled out my phone without hesitation. There weren’t as many recent photos as I’d have liked given my daughter was at that pre-teen stage where cameras were the enemy. But I had a few my mom had texted me from an afternoon Samantha had spent with my parents. Olivia cooed over each one before handing the phone back.