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“Promise?”
“I promise.”
He gave me a soft kiss, and I walked into the lobby. I didn’t bother going to my office before I headed to Connor’s. It was almost nine, so I knew he’d already be sitting at his desk. I knocked on his door, and he called me to come in.
“I was wondering when I’d be seeing you,” Connor stood up from his chair, motioning for me to sit. I recognized his tone. He wasn’t having a good morning, and I was about to make it worse.
I sat on the chair while he leaned back on his desk in front of me. He grabbed three pieces of paper from his desk and slightly waved them in my face. His arms were strained against his shirt, and his blue eyes were dark.
“We need to talk,” I said.
“Oh, I would say so,” he scoffed. The news of what happened probably had gotten to him before I could. He sorted the papers in his hand. “One of these is Richard’s request to work out of the California office. One of these is an email from Amelia praising your work over the last few months but requesting that Erik and Richard be removed from any future projects involving Truly You. The last one is Erik’s surprising resignation letter.”
“Did you really print an email?” I tried to diffuse some of the palpable tension.
“I printed three. All of these came by email. Don’t try to change the subject, Blake. What the hell happened?”
I let out a big sigh and looked up at him. He was angry but concerned.
I didn’t know where to start, so I started at the very beginning. I told Connor everything he had not been privy to over the last three months. I began with meeting Parker at the gym. I gave him more detail than necessary, but I wanted him to know the whole story.
He listened intently and nodded along with my explanation. I walked him through my thought process years ago when I left Erik for Virginia. I told him about the beginning of Richard and me. Finally, I told him about Parker and our relationship. I was very clear that it started before we knew who each other was, but I admitted to it not being the best idea.
His face winced when I told him about what happened at the pool. He didn’t seem as angry as I thought he would be but was clearly disappointed with our behavior. I had spent five years learning from him, and seeing the disappointment on his face was painful. If I wasn’t planning to resign, I would understand if he fired me immediately.
Finally, I got to the end of the story.
“I have decided to move to Texas,” I couldn’t face him, so I stared at the ground. “I understand this isn’t easy staffing-wise, so I can train whomever you choose to replace me with. I’m sorry that my decisions put your company's reputation at risk.” I took a deep breath. “If I can speak candidly, and I will, I have realized that there is more to life than being holed up in the conference room for hours on end. I know that my relationship with Parker was…inappropriate…but it’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I have loved working here every minute, and my job has always been the number one priority in my life, but I need to choose to be happy outside of these walls for once.”
“Well,” his gaze softened, and a small smile spread across his face. Almost paternal. “When I came in this morning, this was about the last thing I expected, but after reading the three emails, I knew you’d be by to explain. I’ve had time to think, and I don’t accept your resignation. I would like to counteroffer.”
“I’m sorry, Connor, but I’ve made up my mind,” I stood up to stop him from trying to convince me. “As much as growing this company and working here has meant and done for me, no amount of money could make me stay.”
“I’m not going to offer you money outside of the raise you were due for with the promotion anyway. Please, Blake, hear me out.”
I slowly sat back down, questioning him.
“You are one of the greatest assets this company has, and I cannot let you walk out of that door knowing the growth we are facing. I have been impressed with you every day, starting with your class presentation. Over the last handful of years, you have been able to help me grow this company beyond what I imagined would be possible. I would be doing my company a disservice if I let you go.”
“But I won’t stay in Virginia.”
“And you don’t have to. There is no reason why my directors can’t work from one of the other regions. After all, Hugh works out in California.”
“Wait, what?”
“You know we’re expanding into the South, and it seems we have just selected Texas as the new office location. It was on the shortlist anyway. I trust no one more than you to build a team because you have built a great one before. You can move there, find us a space, and grow a team there. It won’t be easy, but I think you can do it. I’ve tried to discourage you from overworking but failed, so having Parker around will help you keep a balance. I want you to stay with us, Blake, and I think this is the best way to do it. Please tell me you’ll consider it.”
“I’ll talk to Parker tonight and let you know first thing in the morning.”
“I can live with that. Please take the day off. Hell, take the week if that’s what you need.”
I nodded and stood up again. “Thank you, Connor.”
“No. You’re the one that deserves a thank you, Blake. I am happy for you. I’ve seen you grow and develop personally and professionally, and I support your decision to choose yourself. I just hope you choose Capital Media too.”
I left his office feeling better than when I had walked in. I had decided to take the opportunity, but I wanted to run it by Parker before agreeing to it.
I didn’t have to choose between Parker and my job.
