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That wasn’t too farfetched of a thought seeing as he’d cheated on me with her.
The dinging of the elevator stopping on the second floor pulled me out of my overthinking spell. With small steps, I got off the elevator and made a sharp right. Because the conference rooms had floor-to-ceiling windows, I saw them before they could see me. I didn’t realize I was holding my breath until I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Jeremiah stopped speaking mid-word and smiled at the sight of me. He stood and buttoned the buttons on his dark brown suit jacket.
“Chapel.”
At the sound of my name, necks rolled. Tiffany’s mouth dropped, and I had to keep myself from laughing. Nova’s eyes scanned my frame as he grinned. He licked his lips before biting down on the bottom one and squirming in his seat.
Mission accomplished.
Regardless of how Allegra felt about my decision to return, she showed me public support by standing and giving me a hug.
“What isshedoing here?” Tiffany asked meekly.
“I’m here to reclaim my position,” I answered, making my way to the long rectangular table that could seat twelve people at a time. “We can make this quick,” I said, standing behind Tiffany’s chair…my chair. “The only thing that can keep me from returning to my position is an increase in sales or support during my absence. If that has been the case, you all can vote for me to return, but also allow Tiffany to maintain her current role. Nova, do you have the sales reports and a list of clients retained during my absence?”
“Uh…” He cleared his throat and sat up in his seat. Shaking his head, he stared at me.
“Nova?” I called sweetly with a smile, amused by his speechlessness. I was sure when I first saw him, I’d feel hurt or angry, but between his apparent arousal and Tiffany’s brewing anger, I couldn’t help but smile. I’m sure adrenaline had a part to play in that too. Once I was alone with my thoughts, there was no telling how I’d feel.
“Hey!” Tiffany yelled softly, hitting him on his arm.
“Oh, sorry.” Nova chuckled nervously and loosened his tie.
Allegra snickered, covering her mouth quickly. I made my way next to where Jeremiah stood, and he wrapped his arm around me. Lowering himself to my ear, he whispered, “You know what the fuck you doin’. You ’bout to end that mane marriage before it even begins.”
My head lowered briefly as my smile widened.That was the plan…
“I don’t have that information because I don’t need it. I’ve been keeping up with Tiffany’s progress monthly during Chapel’s absence. She has only brought in three clients for seasonal retainers, all of which listed Chapel as their reason for signing on. Her sales have been decent but she’s not bringing in half of what Chapel does. There’s no need to vote.”
With a scoff, Tiffany shifted in her seat so she could better face him. “How could you do this to me, Nova? You’re my husband. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
Her husband.
Myhusband.
Hearing her call him that broke something in me. I didn’t think it was my heart because his confession had already broken that into pieces. Whatever it was… itached.
Jeremiah’s arm tightened around me, keeping me grounded.
Did he feel my resolve crumbling?
Was I still smiling?
I couldn’t tell.
All I knew was that title, those two words, took me back to the night my world stopped… and I wasn’t as ready as I thought I was to seeeitherof them.
“When it comes down to business, there are no sides. You’re good at what you do, but you’re not ready for such a monumental role just yet. I’d be doing you a disservice and not putting the business first if I did a vote just to appease you.” Nova’s eyes found mine. “Chapel is the best at what she does. I’llnevervote her out.”
Tiffany’s chair almost fell over she shot out of it so fast. She was about to come in my direction, but she quickly went the opposite way. As she stormed out, Allegra stood and shook her head.
“Welcome back, Chap.”
I just nodded. I wasn’t sure how sincere Allegra was. She’d made it clear she didn’t want me to disrupt the flow.
Did this count?
