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He raked a hand through his hair and paused at the entrance. Damn it, for the last fifteen years, every building he designed, every concept he created, stemmed from the desire to pay tribute to his father’s life by building a body of work worthy of the Pritzker. Besides his devotion to his younger sister, he’d purposefully blocked out any other entanglements, professional or personal.
Honoring the Morgan name had meant everything.
If Heather sabotaged him somehow, he could lose his legacy. His father’s legacy.
But now, Nick understood another legacy his father had left him. That love was paramount. The love, devotion, and happiness his parents had shared and what he now shared with Sophie trumped any career accolade. He would protect Sophie and their love over everything else. Not winning the Pritzker didn’t mean his life’s work was for nothing—his buildings stood for themselves.
He’d risk it.
Entering the lobby, Nick called Heather’s name through the open door to her office. She appeared in the doorway, sporting a bright smile. The moment she registered his mood, she schooled her features into an impassive mask.
“We need to talk. Come with me and have a seat.” He turned and strode into his office.
She sat in the chair across from him. “What’s going on Nick??
He powered on his computer, opened his email, and located the boilerplate thirty-day written notice legal document.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush, Heather. We need to discuss your position.”
Her professional mask slipped, revealing a flash of panic in her eyes. “My position? Did I make an error on one of our projects?”
Suddenly, Nick noticed that her forehead was frozen and shiny. She looked like one of those women on reality TV––plastic and hard. Funny, he’d never noticed before. What else had he misinterpreted about Heather?
He shook his head. Time to focus. “It’s less about a specific error. Your performance is not satisfactory, your demeanor, and your recent behavior dealing with clients and the public in an unprofessional manner that doesn’t reflect well on my firm. I don’t think that you’re the right fit any longer.”
If Heather could have raised her eyebrows, they would have sailed off her motionless forehead.
“What do you mean?” Her mouth dropped open and she sputtered. “You’ve sent me to be your agent on numerous occasions. You’ve always praised my professionalism. What about the Pritzker? I’m your key representative on the nomination. This has to be a misunderstanding.”
He held up one hand. “No misunderstanding. I can have my attorney compile a list of specific incidents. What is going to happen is this—you’re on a thirty-day plan, effective immediately. During this time, your performance needs to be exemplary.
“If at the end of the thirty days, you turn around this pattern, we can discuss your future with Morgan Designs. If not, your employment will be terminated. If you would rather resign immediately, I’ll give you three months’ severance and provide you a glowing recommendation. Your choice.”
Heather’s mouth opened and closed, like a fish out of water.
Too damn bad.She’d fooled him. Once someone showed him their true colors, he didn’t give second chances.
“Can we please discuss this? I’m sure I can explain whatever it is you think I’ve done. I’ve worked so hard to help you with the Pritzker, to raise your profile internationally. This is totally out of left field and––”
“I appreciate your efforts on the Pritzker, but that’s in the past. I’ve made up my mind. This is how it is, and I think I’m being quite clear. I’ll give you some time to decide.” He stood, grabbed the thirty-day warning letter from the printer, and handed it to her. “Either sign this or give me your written resignation by the end of the day.”
Heather grabbed the document and reached for a pen.
“Nick, I’m not sure what happened, and I’m very sorry you’ve gotten this impression about me. I’ll do my best over the next thirty days to show you that I’m still the right-hand person for you and Morgan Designs. You have my word.” She stood and handed him the signed agreement.
Your word means shit. He accepted the document with a curt nod and focused on his computer screen. For a moment, she remained in front of his desk, before leaving his office.
Nick slid the agreement into his briefcase. He pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. Well, at least she hadn’t made a scene but what a shitstorm. He’d call Alyssa and have her reach out to a few of her recruiter friends and start the process of finding a replacement. Heather wouldn’t last thirty days.
She wouldn’t try to screw him over with the Pritzker, would she?
* * *
“You wantme to call who? And drive with you where?” Brandt said. “Has hell frozen over?”
“Shut up. I’ll tell you all about it on the way up to L.A. Will you help me or not?” Brandt’s uncle was a well-known jeweler up in L.A.
Last night, after Sophie had fallen asleep in his arms, he’d known what he wanted to do. Find an incredible ring to complement her beauty. To demonstrate his commitment to her. A symbol she was his and he was hers.
