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Tahlia lets me know just after nine that Jill has changed our interview to four this afternoon. She also lets me know that Jill’s mood has worsened.
I take a call from Ron Johansen after my meeting is finished.
“Ron,” I answer, leaning back in my chair and looking out over Manhattan while hoping like fuck that Jill hasn’t been in contact with him. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m calling to see if you’ve dealt with Jill.”
I sit up straight. “I’ve spoken with her. You won’t hear from her again. I’ll be handling your account now.” I’ve already discussed this with him, so I’m unsure why he’s bringing it up again.
“Owen, I want more than to never hear from her again.”
“I’m not following.” I am, though, and if I’m following correctly, this is going to turn into a difficult conversation soon.
“I want her gone.”
I stare out at the city, contemplating my next move. Contemplating the last seven years of building this company to the level of having this view. Contemplating losing it from a misstep.
“Jill’s not going anywhere, Ron.”
He’s quiet for a moment. “It’s either her or me, Owen.”
“I know she fucked up, but I’ve fixed the issue and I assure you it won’t happen again.”
“That’s not enough. I don’t trust your company so long as she’s still the COO. You need to get rid of her. I’m sure you have other clients who wouldn’t appreciate knowing what she’s capable of.”
Fuck.
“Are you making a threat, Ron?” He’s our biggest client. We can’t afford to lose him. And we can’t afford for him to spread this story around.
“I’m simply stating a fact. Look, I like working with you, Owen, and I want to continue working with North Management, but I don’t want a thing to do with Jill. I want her out.”
“You’re putting me in a hard place here.”
“Yeah, just like Jill’s put me in a hard place.” He pauses. “Let me know once you’ve gotten rid of her.”
The line goes silent, and I drop my phone down on the desk.
I push up out of my chair and stalk to the window.
I look at the street sixty-three floors down.
Jill and I clawed our way to the top and I’ll be damned if we don’t stay here.
She might be at war with me currently, and she might have fucked with the wrong client, and she might be causing me enough headaches to rip my skull apart some days, but I loved her for years and I refuse to throw her under the bus to keep an asshole client happy.
I’ll find another way before I’ll ruin the woman I thought I’d spend my life with at one point.
* * *
I spendthe next couple of hours working uninterrupted before eating lunch at 2:00 p.m. and sending Charlize an email.
From:Owen North
To: Jill’s Assistant
Date: May 18, 2021, 2:09 PM
Subject: Conference Room
