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He nods. “Yeah, should we go to your office, Shay?”
We cross the floor to my office and Miles shuts the door. I take a deep breath. “When I met with Zoey Pearson last week about the foundation collaboration, she asked me if I’d be interested in working at the Rainier Foundation. Her priorities are shifting and she’s hoping to build up the team so she can be at home with her growing family. I didn’t say anything because, well, I love working here with both of you but I’m beginning to wonder if it wouldn’t be better for everyone if I considered her offer.”
Austin is shocked and hurt. “Shay, you can’t let one incident force you out. We want you here.”
“I agree with Austin. We want you here, but you should think about what’s best for you.” Miles seems contemplative. “Don’t decide because of external pressures. Figure out what you want.”
I grab both of their hands. “I appreciate that. I need some time to think it through.”
“It’s time for my programming meeting.” Miles extricates himself from me and slips out.
Austin turns to me and looks down at the floor. “Do you seriously want to leave Hungry Llama?”
“No, not really. I love working with you and Miles. But I feel like, no matter how hard I work, there’ll always be whispers. Whispers that I didn’t earn my position.” I take his hand and lead us to my little seating area where I sit across from him. “I connect with Zoey. Working with her at the Rainier Foundation presents a special kind of opportunity. A fresh start, in a way.”
He rests his elbows on his knees and buries his face in his hands. “I’ll support whatever you decide, Shay. Don’t tuck tail and run if you want to be here. You’ve got the talent, the drive. You belong in this industry as much as anyone else.”
“Thanks, babe.” The sincerity in his voice warms me. “I’m not quite ready to make any big moves now. I’d like to see the potential impact of my latest marketing strategies and watch Belinda choke when we hit milestones. I’m a petty-ass bitch. Don’t try me.”
The tension between us is instantly diffused. “God, I love you. I’m being stupid, I know. I love having you with me all the time. At the end of the day, you have to follow your heart, Shay. Whether it’s here or at the foundation, I want you to be happy.”
“Well , you guys are stuck with me. At least for now.” I reach over and grab his hand. “All kidding aside, I do want to see some of my marketing strategies come to life. And, I like to face challenges like Belinda head-on.”
Austin smiles. “That’s my girl.”
While the path ahead might be fraught with challenges, I’m determined to prove my worth, not only to the team but to myself. After all, every hurdle is an opportunity for growth.
However, the incident has made me observant of the undercurrents at Hungry Llama.
I’ve got to look out for my best interest.
Because I’m not, under any circumstances, allowing anyone—including Austin—to dictate my career.
Ever again.
Chapter thirty-one
Austin
Two Weeks Later
I thought I was ready to marry Shay.
Or, at least ask her to marry me and let the wedding date sort itself out.
Now, with the ring box hidden in my secret safe, I feel the pressure of unanswered questions and unresolved family issues pressing down on me like the weight of every coin in Mario’s kingdom.
How can I be an exceptional husband and father if I don’t get to the bottom of my own family shit?
Yeah, you could say I’m still pissed about Christmas.
It’s fucked me up, big time.
Shay and I talk about our future in such general terms—I want to give her a full-blown commitment. I love her desperately. Picture our kids. Envision growing old. I’m not the asshole who’s going to lead her on the way Devon did. I know she’s my soulmate and I have no problem putting a ring on it. It’s just…
Before I go there, I need to understand why my family abandoned me.
Despite everything, I’ve built a great life for myself. I can’t help feeling like there’s a huge hole in my heart where my parents’ love should be. They’re both still alive. They acknowledge I’m their child. Yet, neither of them seem to give two shits about my well-being. I’m always the one who makes all the effort and I’m sick of it.
