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“Well, neither of us expected she would, so that’s no shock.”
Both our phones buzz with a text notification.
Jill: Since I didn’t get a word in this morning, Owen, I want to alert you both to the fact I’ve brought our 10am meeting forward to 9am. Don’t be late. We have many issues to discuss.
Julian looks at me after he reads the message. “Fuck me, I hate Mondays. And I quit.”
Our Monday morning meeting with Jill is not the highlight of either of our weeks. “Your resignation is no good here.” I spot our head analyst striding toward my office. “You spoke with Maxwell already?”
“Yeah. He wants to discuss a merger he’s heard rumors of.”
I meet Max’s gaze and motion for him to come in. The three of us spend the next fifteen minutes evaluating some of our positions before moving onto the merger he’s heard about. After making a plan for Max and Julian to get more solid facts and information on it, the two of them leave me. I fill the time before the meeting with Jill calling some clients to check in on them.
Ten minutes before the meeting, I head to Jill’s office. It’s the furthest from mine on our firm’s third floor. She had the office next to mine until our divorce. She then made it clear she didn’t want to be that close to me. I didn’t care either way, but lately I’m grateful for the distance between us.
I want these ten minutes to ask her whether she’s getting close to our staff. It’ll be a tricky conversation, though, so I’m not looking forward to it.
Jill didn’t want our divorce. Initially, I didn’t either. However, after six months of counseling and working on the marriage, I faced the difficult truth that we probably should have never married in the first place.
Jill and I are not compatible. Not in any way, shape, or form. Sex was our glue, and the thing I’ve learned the hard way is that sex can never be the glue for me. Maybe it can be for other people, but I need a strong emotional connection right alongside the sex.
Because our lives are still so intertwined, with us seeing each other almost every day at work, I’ve tried to be discreet in the way I’ve approached dating since our divorce. I’ve been sensitive to the fact Jill has struggled to let our marriage go.
She didn’t put herself out there again for a good six months. And when she did, she appeared dedicated to making sure I knew. After that first date, she threw herself into more dates like it was a project she’d taken on. I was happy for her and took it as a sign I didn’t have to be so delicate with the whole situation.
That was a mistake.
As was taking a date to an industry function a month after Jill began dating. She didn’t hesitate to let me know that I should have been more thoughtful.
Any kind of dating or sex life talk between us is a land mine guaranteed to cause me damage. I avoid it at all costs. Today is shaping up to be the day I’m going down because I can’t avoid any of it now. Not if I want our company to remain strong.
I’m halfway to Jill’s office when my mother calls.
“Hi,” I answer immediately. My mother will generally keep calling until I answer if I don’t. “I only have a minute. What’s up?”
“I was calling to let you know I spoke with Marcia Montgomery. She told me that John says you’re looking good for the Bluestone Award. I thought you might like to know.” Her tone is a little cool. Mary North doesn’t like being rushed, however it’s not the first time I’ve done it, and it won’t be the last.
“Thanks, Mom.” She’s right; this is good information. The Bluestone Best in Business program honors businesses and professionals in every industry in America. The top award is the Bluestone Award and I made it a goal to win it this year after being nominated. John Montgomery is an old family friend and one of the judges, so any information he has is solid.
“Oh, Owen, one other thing. Jill. You need to keep her on your side. If she rocks the boat, that award may go to someone else.”
This isn’t news to me. The Bluestone Award not only recognizes excellence in business, but also personal excellence. Every aspect of my life will be looked at. Winners of this award are highly esteemed. Personal problems within my company won’t look good.
“I have to go.” Getting into yet another discussion with my mother about my ex isn’t something I want to do this morning.
“I told you that you needed to force her out, Owen. She—”
“I’m handling her.” I’m almost at Jill’s office. “I appreciate you calling with this information. I’ll talk to you later.”
We end the call right before Jill comes into view through the glass door separating us. She glances up, her features soft before she spots me. Her face turns to stone fast, and she stands, letting me know I can enter.
“We’re meeting in the conference room,” she says with more chill than a winters day.
“I know, but you and I have some things I want to discuss in private.”
She crosses her arms, ready for battle. “What things?”
I get straight to the point. “Are you sleeping with any of the staff? Or considering it?”
