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“Okay,” Tess said, nodding her head though only the man who’d gotten up and moved to another table could see her. “That’s what I wanted to know.”
“Hey, Tess,” Miles said, his tone growing more serious. “I’m not saying anything against Monique, but I will note this. I don’t like she didn’t present your work over the proposal she sent over. Any fool could see your design was better, but I gathered she thought her design work should stand before yours. A good business owner never lets her ego get in the way of doing what is best for the company. The only reason why I signed on with Upstart, for one year only I might add, was because of your designs. Monique wasn’t overly happy with contract terms.”
“Yeah, so I gather,” Tess said, walking toward the bar and sliding her cup over to the barista. “I thank you for being forthcoming with me, Miles.”
“See ya, Tess.”
Tess hung up, took a deep coffee-scented breath and pushed back out into the humid New Orleans air.
Finally the pieces of her life were snapping into place. She had learned more about her boss in ten minutes than she had the entire time working for her. Tess wasn’t cavalier enough to overlook the blatant lack of professionalism her boss had displayed. Nor was she willing to play backup to Cecily. She’d made peace with her father, and in doing so, made peace with her own faults. And finally, she’d come face-to-face with Graham’s selflessness. Maybe not the shark her father had hoped for, but the man had a heart of gold and an undeniable sense of honor.
Her pride had brought her to where she now stood, but love would take her where she belonged.
Tess climbed in her car and drove straight to Upstart. At the office, the workday had wound down, but Monique still sat at her desk, phone to ear, fingers clicking on her keyboard.
Josh wasn’t lounging around anywhere, and Emily didn’t seem to be around, either.
Perfect time to quit her job.
Tess didn’t belong at Upstart… and never would.
Monique set the phone in the cradle, not bothering to meet Tess’s gaze. She said, “What’s up?”
“Can I talk to you?”
“You are talking to me,” Monique drawled, the glow of the computer illuminating her perfect features.
Monique was awfully good at making Tess feel stupid. “I’ve decided not to stay.”
Her boss’s brow furrowed and still she didn’t look at Tess. “You don’t have to. I’m not checking your hours. I trust you.”
“That’s not what meant,” Tess said, placing the copy of her contract on the desk. “What I’m trying to say is I don’t think my job here at Upstart is going to work out.”
Monique may have flinched, but she didn’t look up from the screen.
“Monique?”
Finally, she turned, slamming her hands onto the desk. “Unacceptable.”
“I can’t stay, Monique.”
“Is this because of what happened earlier? It was a disagreement, Tess. Please don’t tell me your skin is that thin.”
“It’s not just about today. I realize I will never belong here.”
Eyes blazing, Monique leaned back. “I guess you’re not the woman I thought you were.”
“I guess I’m not,” Tess said. “But you can’t deny I don’t fit here. I’ve learned a lot from you, but I think it’s better if I don’t continue.”
Looking down at the contract, Monique sighed. “I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to that ninety-day trial period.”
Tess sank onto the same chair she’d sat in over a month ago. “I don’t think you’re happy with me, either. You’re accustomed to running things, and I am, too. This was the first clash we’ve had, but it wouldn’t be the last. Upstart is a good company, and you were doing fine without me.”
“We’re doing better with you,” she said.
Tess nodded. “Maybe for a while, but the Ullo name only does so much, Monique.”
“Is this about Graham?”
