Page 113 of Everything She Wanted

I’m rattled, but I realize he didn’t answer the question, and I need to know for certain before I devote my life to him.

I walk up to him and place a hand on his shoulder. “Shaan, please, I need to know the truth.”

He turns to face me. “No. Never. I swear to you on my life.” He looks me straight in the eyes as he says every word without blinking.

I sigh with relief and the pent-up tension I’ve been holding for weeks finally releases, even as guilt consumes me, knowing I can’t say the same.

40. #Boss

I sleep well that night for the first time in a long time. Being brave with Eshaan gives me the courage to tackle the other things in my life I should have addressed a long time ago, too.

I take a deep breath as I knock on Tom’s office door.

“Nisha, sit. I’m just finishing up an email, and I’ll be with you in a moment.”

I sit down, trying to settle my racing heart and push down the doubts in my mind. I have to do this for me.

He pushes away from his screen and turns toward me. “Our quarterly is not until next month, but it’s nice to see my top performer in here.” He gives me a wide smile.

“What can I do for you?”

I hesitate, and then it rushes out.

“Thank you for noticing that, Tom, that I’m a top performer, that means a lot to me, and I’m having a lot of fun building my team. There’s just one thing that’s been bothering me. I’m not going to lie.”

He leans back in his chair. “I’m sure we can take care of that easily for you, whatever it is.”

“When I took on this dual role, you mentioned a promotion if things went well, and it looks like things are going pretty darn well.” I smile.

“They are for the time being, but you know how it is with start-up life. One moment you’re on top of the world, the next you’re scrambling.”

I try to quell the rising apprehension. I have to keep going.

“I hear you, but I think it’s important to reward those who come along on the up-and-down journey. What do you think?”

“I would agree with you.” He smiles and lights up. “What would fit the bill?”

“I’d love to talk about stepping into a team-lead position, seeing as I’m doing the work already.” Now the tough part. “With a possible boost in salary.”

He steeples his hands, with his index fingers resting on his mouth, and for a moment, I think I’ve screwed it all up and shouldn’t have said a thing, but then he exhales.

“Tell you what. I’ll do you one better. How does director sound?” A big smile breaks out on his face.

“That sounds incredible,” I say, visibly shaken.

“Your ambition hasn’t gone unnoticed, you know. I’ve been trying to figure out how to place you to best maximize your skill set. Now I have it. Director of Digital Marketing and Investor Relations with two teams under you and you as their ringleader.” He leans back, satisfied with himself.

I almost can’t believe what I’m hearing.

“Wow, that would be great.”

“I’ll get Amy to send over the new contract later this week.”

“Thank you so much.”

“You deserve it, and I appreciate your initiative in having this conversation.”

I get up to leave.