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My cheeks heat and I know my feet leave the ground this time. “These last few months have been the best.”
Blake nods. “They have. Before I met you, I had blinders on. I’ve been so focused on work for so long, and I didn’t realize it. And that’s because of you.” He hugs me tightly. “Stef, I’m so happy you’re in my life.” He places another sweet, absolutely perfect kiss on my lips and my chest aches with joy. No one has ever made me feel so loved, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure he feels it in return.
The music changes to a fast song and he takes my hand, leading me off the dance floor. “C’mon. Let’s get another drink and forget all about Gilbert Fox. Then we’ll make the rounds so we can go home.” He lifts my hand to his lips and his eyes are dark with emotion. “I need to show you how much I love you.”
19
Blake
Theelevatordoorsopenand I step out, adrenaline thrumming through my veins. “Morning, Mike.”
“Good morning, Blake. Astrid’s already in your office, and Jocelin’s on his way up.”
“Perfect. Thanks.” I stride past his desk and into my office. I’ve been stewing on the Gilbert situation all weekend, and today is the day of reckoning. “Morning, Astrid. How’re things?”
She turns in her chair to give me a thorough once-over. “Not as good as they are for you, apparently. You look like the cat who ate the canary. Stef stay over?”
“As a matter of fact, yes. We’ve been together all weekend.” A situation I hope to make permanent, but Astrid doesn’t need to know that. Not until Stef and I talk it over. I take a seat at my desk and boot up my laptop.
“Hmm. I’m assuming you haven’t asked me to this early morning meeting to talk about your weekend, though I’m all for sharing.” She eyes me curiously. “What’s going on?”
Heavy footsteps sound in the hall, and Jocelin bursts into the room. “Sorry I’m late.”
I gesture for him to close the door. “You’re not late. I just got here, myself.”
Astrid glances between us, her brows drawn down. “I feel like I’ve missed things.” Jocelin takes the seat next to her, and she nudges him. “And my best friend hasn’t said a word.”
“Lawyer-client privilege, dear. I couldn’t tell you.”
She uncrosses her legs and leans toward me. “Someone better tell me something soon.”
“I’m terminating contract negotiations with Gilbert Fox.”
She throws herself back in her seat, mouth open. “Wait,what? Does this have something to do with whatever happened at the gala on Friday?”
I nod. “We’ve all been less than thrilled with Gilbert’s conduct during the negotiations. He’s rude, presumptuous, and not a nice person. I was already at the point of telling him ‘thanks, but no thanks,’ after his latest round of unreasonable demands.” Astrid nods, knowing that part. “But his abhorrent behavior to Stef at the gala was the last straw.” I take a breath and close my eyes for a moment, calming myself. “I won’t share specifics. If Stef wants to tell you, they can. That’s not my story to share. Suffice it to say, Gilbert made rude comments about Stef’s gender identity and intimated that their being with me would hurt my career.”
Astrid chokes. “I’m sorry,what? That’s ludicrous! How could being with Stef hurt your career?” Her face turns bright pink, and she thrusts up out of her chair, pacing the office, hands on her hips. “What an asshole!” She whirls around and points a finger at me. “You’d never work with anyone who was that kind of judgmental.”
I spread my arms, gesturing to our little tête-à-tête. “Hence our meeting this morning to prepare for our nine o’clock with Gilbert and his lawyer. I want to know what the fallout could be, both legally and within the publishing community. I’m not planning to change my mind, but we should be as prepared as possible.”
“There is no fallout legally. We signed no contracts and made no promises. Gilbert was the one holding up negotiations, and if he or his lawyer decide to take us to court, the outrageousness of his ever-increasing demands will have the case thrown out.”
Astrid huffs and drops into her chair. “There could be ripples from some of the more conservative quarters of the publishing community, but historically we haven’t had a lot of dealings with them. You’ve been openly out and supportive of LGBTQ+ charities and organizations for years. Anyone who’d have a problem with Stef probably distanced themselves from you years ago.”
I nod, taking in the information. “Good. That’s what I was thinking.” I lean my elbows on my desk, looking between them. “Now, it’s slightly off topic, but I need to make something perfectly clear. Stef’s gender is a non-issue, and I will not let anyone make it otherwise. Nor will I give them up. This is a hill I’m willing to die on. Personally and professionally. As much as it would pain me to lose this company, I will watch it die a slow, painful death before I allow anyone to come between Stef and me. If things don’t work out between us, it’ll be from incompatibility, not some bigots who want to throw their weight around and threaten my business. I don’t foresee something like that happening, but if it does, I won’t blame you for jumping ship.”
“Fuck that.” Astrid slouches back in her chair, all swagger and spite, and I love her for it. “It won’t happen, but on the extremely remote chance it does, I’ll ride this ship down to Davy Jones’ locker with you. Ride or die, Blake.”
Jocelin nods. “Same for me. Not that I’d be in the same boat, since I don’t work directly for Hibernian Press, but you have my full support, and I’m sure you have the support of Trumble, Santori and Knobb. Our companies have worked together for years.”
“Alright. Our plan is to meet in the conference room at nine, at which point I will formally withdraw our offer with the brief explanation that our business philosophies are incompatible. I don’t plan to drag things out.”
Jocelin nods. “I don’t imagine Gilbert will be pleased. Do you think he’ll cause a scene?”
I had considered that. “It’s fifty-fifty. He’s a hothead, but he also has an inflated ego and might settle for sneering and telling us we’re fools. Let’s hope for that outcome.” I lean back in my chair. “Okay, do either of you have anything to add?” When they both shake their heads, I close the meeting. “Then I’ll see you both in the conference room in about half an hour.”
Thirty minutes and a quick meditation session later, I walk into the conference room. Gilbert and his lawyer arrived a few minutes ago. I debated being petty and making them wait, but it would’ve been cruel to force Astrid and Jocelin to sit with them, knowing what was coming. “Gentlemen, good morning.” I walk to the head of the table and opt to stand rather than sitting. It gives me a height advantage I’m not above using. “I’ll cut right to the chase. I’ve decided not to pursue a contract with Mr. Fox.” My eyes lock directly on Gilbert. “You’ll be happier at a larger publishing house, where your principles are more aligned. We appreciate the time you’ve given to considering Hibernian Press, and wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.”
