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Twenty-Four
By the next afternoon, Gia couldn’t stand her own company any longer. She’d spent the entire morning cleaning the house. She’d thrown out the float shaped like a giant lemon slice because it reminded her of Jayson whenever she saw it. She’d even hauled the big-ass pasta maker out from under the cabinet and put it into a box bound for Goodwill.
She’d stripped the bed and washed the sheets, before going online to order a new bed so she wouldn’t have to sleep in the same bed where she’d slept with Jayson.
What a mess. What a big, fat, stupid mess.
Her anger had spread beyond the boundaries of her person and her house, which was how she found herself at her parents’ home without an invitation.
When her mother opened the front door, Gia stormed in. “Where is he?”
“Enjoying his afternoon iced tea,” Macy answered as Gia blew by. “On the balcony.”
Shoulders squared, Gia rerouted to the stairs.
“Don’t throw him over!” Macy called up to her.
Her father’s office led out onto a wide balcony outfitted with chairs, a table and an awning. She stepped into the room, rich with red leather and brass accents. Her father’s lair.
She’d never before pictured him in here scheming. Until recently.
The French doors were open and she found her father reading the Wall Street Journal, a glass of whiskey and the carafe within reach.
“Gia.” He smiled. The crinkles around his eyes and his puff of white hair used to be comforting. Not today.
“You owe me an explanation.” She stood over him. “And an apology.”
“I had my reasons.”
“I’m listening.”
He gestured to the chair across from his and folded his paper. “Sit. Please?”
She did, because he said please. She still vibrated with anger and while she wasn’t going to toss him off the balcony she thought emptying his whiskey bottle over the edge might make her feel better.
“You gave Jayson the position of CTO because you didn’t think I could handle it. You completely overlooked me.” She’d come here for his explanation, but she had a point to make, too.
“I wanted him to feel worthy of you,” her father told her. His legs where crossed, and he rested his folded hands on one knee. “I didn’t overlook you, Gia. I know exactly what you’re capable of. World domination, I imagine.”
She didn’t smile at his joke.
“You’re a powerful woman. I couldn’t be prouder of who you’ve become. But, honey, Jayson isn’t from the same world we are.”
“This is about image,” she said. “You were embarrassed of him.”
“No.” Her father’s voice was firm, unyielding. “It was about him feeling as if he belonged and not like he was limping behind the rest of you. He’s a good man. I care about him. I can tell you’re in love with him. Still.”
She slumped in her chair. “Is it that obvious?”
“I know you’re mad at me. I do. And... I’m sorry.”
She lifted her eyes to her father’s to see if he meant it. He looked like he did.
“I was trying to make up for my mistake. I was trying to offer him vice president so you could finally have the position you want. Then he went on about you taking VP and I started talking out of my hat. You know I don’t like to be challenged.”
“Pretty sure I inherited that same instinct.” She gave him a wan smile.
“Jayson was right. You’re the worthiest candidate for vice president. I just didn’t want him to leave the company, especially since you two have been...close lately.”
