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Zara nods.
“I’ll be okay,” I tell my friends.
“I know you will be,” Zara says in a reassuring way. “But tonight, you need a friend.”
* * *
On Monday morning,I drag my ass into the office. My body aches, and I feel like I’ve been hit by a train. Before I have time to ready my desk, our boss’s boss, Jody, storms into the room and closes the door. She is wearing a light pink suit, a white shirt, and I’m in love with her blazer.
“You have been working out of hours.”
It’s not a question.
“I have.” My voice croaks because of the weekend abuse of my body. “A friend asked me to help with remodeling and decorating his home.”
She places both hands on my desk and leans closer. “Word gets around fast. While I’m annoyed you didn’t run this by me or even ask for my ideas, I’m proud of you.” She straightens and folds her arms. “You have ethics, and the environment has always been important to you.”
She’s not angry? Holy cow. And she wishes I’d asked for her help? I nod, not thinking straight. “My whole family is… I have grown up respecting our earth.”
“You didn’t think to add your ideas to the table in business meetings?”
“I did talk about it once with Hugh. We didn’t know whether it was in our client’s best interests here.”
“Harumph.” Jody takes a few steps as though she’s about to pace the length of my desk while she ponders what I’ve said. “Well, from now on, let me be the judge.” She halts her step, a deep-set frown on her face. “Our clients don’t just want class and impression.” She walks to my side table and picks up my books on meaningful remodeling. “Many have the funds to stand out and be impressionable by doing everything you’ve advocated. Gray-water harvesting systems, a green roof and walls, smart home technology to reduce the environmental footprint.”
She turns and stares at me. “Our company will implement this ASAP, and I want you to oversee this new direction. You and Hugh will liaise with client builders to remodel with environmental values. After I read about your work on a Malibu Beach listing, I asked clients the relevant questions on how your remodeling concept could be offered. Let’s jump straight into this by creating contracts with companies who make furniture with organically, ethically sourced fabrics for upholstery, rugs, and drapes for the clients’ homes to be sustainable and unique.”
I’m gawking at my boss.
“I want this to start happening today, Penny. We have clients waiting for ideas.”
“Yes, of course.”
She stops at the door. “Whatever you are working on now can be passed to Jackie and Steph.”
The door clicks closed behind her, and I raise my brows before falling back onto my seat to take a deep breath.
Is this really happening?
A leadership role is a step in the right direction to follow my dreams.
The door swings open as Hugh strolls in. “Jody said I needed to speak with you.” His brow is tight. “Is everything okay?”
“More than okay. You’ll need to sit down to hear this.”
* * *
As of two weeks ago,the idea Jody had is now in the budget, and they’re confident enough in its success that they can rent a new office. Hugh and I will be running Style Plus.
I have ignored the calls and texts from Franklin.
He broke my trust, and I’m not ready to have a conversation with him yet.
I am more than aware avoidance is not a cure, yet it helps keep my head straight when work is all I can currently think about.
Touché.
The last thing I need is to become distracted and spiral downward.
