Page 20 of Made for Mayhem

Why didn’t you ever say anything?

Lauren

You never asked.

Tomorrow morning, btw.

I’m throwing a party and don’t have time to have you messing up the place.

My grip tightened around my phone, my thumbs flying over the screen as I typed and deleted every rage-filled thought that flitted through my mind.

Daisy

So I just have to leave?

Lauren

Yes. ASAP.

Anger flared hot and fast, immediately followed by something that felt a lot like relief. The thought sat there, ugly and undeniable, that I might have stayed forever if Lauren hadn’t kicked me out. Sure, I knew I avoided conflict at just about any cost, but I was ashamed I’d let my unhappiness go this long.

And there’s one.

I shoved the phone into my bag and headed into the office. My apparent lack of housing would have to wait until later.

Parker Collective was typically bright and busy—phones ringing, calendars packed with donor luncheons and community fundraisers, the low hum of people who believed in the events we planned and the money we brought in for the charitable organizations we worked with.

Today, it was quiet. Too quiet.

That should have been my first clue.

“Daisy, hey.” My boss, Jerry, motioned me into his office before I’d even set my bag down. “Can we chat for a minute?”

I plastered on my best fake smile, dropped my things in my tiny cubicle, then followed him into his corner office. “Did you hear from the Fairview team? They seemed pretty happy with the gala on Friday night.”

He blinked, looking surprised. “The—oh. Yeah. Yes.” He nodded. “They were thrilled. You did a great job. Really great.”

Relief flickered through me. “Good. I thought the rain plan might’ve⁠—”

“No, no,” he cut in. He shifted, then finally sat down, folding his hands together. “You’re great with contingency plans, always ready to pivot at a moment’s notice. Everything went really well.”

“Thanks,” I said, his praise not explaining the bead of sweat trickling down Jerry’s brow. “So, what did you want to chat about?”

The breath he took was more like a gale-force wind.

“We’re downsizing.” Jerry slowly looked up from his desk to meet my eyes. “Unfortunately, your position has been cut. I’m sorry, Daisy.”

I blinked several times, trying to make sure I had heard him correctly. “I’m sorry, can you say that one more time?”

“This is never an easy conversation to have, especially because you’re such a hard worker.”

I nodded on autopilot while my right leg did the Cha-Cha Slide under his desk, unable to sit still. My brain started sprinting a hundred miles a minute through everything this meant for my life.

“Who else is being let go?” I asked, clinging to the question as if it made a lick of difference.

Jerry stacked and re-stacked the papers. “Right now, we’re starting with just your position.”

My spine stiffened, heat creeping up the back of my neck. “So, am I being laid off or fired?”