Page 107 of Playing It Forward

His face sobers. “I want to offer you the position of resort operations manager.”

My eyes widen. “Operations Manager? That’s a big promotion.”

“You’d still oversee events but at a more supervisory level. You’d also oversee guest services and hospitality staff.”

My stomach tingles with excitement. This is a big promotion. More responsibility. More money. More reasonable hours.

Reasonable hours? I glare at Hudson. “Is this a pity hire?”

“What?”

“You know I’m pregnant. You don’t want me working all the crazy hours I do now. You offer me a promotion.”

He growls. “I would never offer anyone a promotion they didn’t deserve. You’ve been overseeing events for years already. And with Jana leaving, this seemed the perfect time to promote you.”

“Jana’s leaving?”

“Gave me three months' notice yesterday. Which gives you enough time to hire and train your replacement.”

My brain immediately goes into problem solving mode. “I want to offer the job to my assistant, Nadia. She hasn’t been at the resort long, but her instincts are good.”

He shrugs. “It’s your decision. Does this mean you’ll accept the job?”

My phone beeps with a message. “Excuse me. I need to make sure this isn’t an emergency.”

I talked to the team. We’re ready to walk out of the resort if Hudson fires you.

“Huh. I guess I don’t have a choice. I accept the job.”

His brow wrinkles. “What do you mean? You don’t have a choice?”

“Nolan organized the team. They’re ready to walk out if you fire me.”

He sighs. “Damn quarterbacks. They always think they’re in charge. Are you prepared for how he’ll try to control your life and manage everything?”

I snort. “He can try.”

The offensive line is making protest posters now.

“I need to stop Nolan. He’s now organizing a protest.”

“Quarterbacks,” he mutters.

I message back.

No need to protest. I got a promotion. I’m the new resort operations manager!

Congrats! I’ll tell the team to stand down. I’ll be by tonight to celebrate. I’m so fucking proud of you, sprite. You deserve this.

Warmth spreads through my body. He’s supporting me. Not pushing me. Not directing me. Supporting me.

I’m the luckiest woman in the world. I woke this morning in bed with the man I love, and now I have the promotion I’ve wanted for years. Nothing can stop me now.

Chapter 35

It’s difficult to have a serious conversation after a failed uprising.

Nolan