Page 79

“Todd Zundel, for helping expand the current sales department. And Aliyah Reynolds, for her work on the research team for some exciting new advancements we hope to release within the coming year.”

Why does all of this sound fake?

Even the people receiving the awards seem surprised.

“And for an announcement that our investors will be excited to learn. A new hire for our company.” She pauses a moment. I have to give it to her. She knows how to work a crowd when she wants to.

A new hire? Why would a lower level employee be announced in front of a room of employees, investors, and clients of our company?

“It’s with great pleasure that we bring back Tanya Mitchell into the spot of Vice President of Operations. Her time away for the past six months has given her significant experience that will only add to our strength.”

I whirl around to face Tanya, my anger from earlier turning to fury. As part owner of the company, I have to have the chance to sign off on any new hires, especially ones that will be working with me on a daily basis.

Shaking my head, I try to keep my voice down once Tanya sits back in her seat. “What’s your game? Why come back?”

Tanya smiles. “It’s the same game I’ve been working on for the past four years, Miles. And now I can get everything I want.”

My mother finally concludes and walks off the stage. I’ve got to figure this out and now.

“Dani,” I say, folding my napkin and resting it on the table. “I need to speak to my mother about a few things. Will you be all right?”

She nods, her eyes unreadable. “Go. Do what you need to.”

I dash out, hoping to get this resolved once and for all. Dani has my heart and no amount of finagling is going to help my mother change my mind.

CHAPTER36

Dani

Sitting here at a table with Miles’s ex is not high on my priority list. Then again, he’d had a conversation with Clay a week ago. Two actually. One with his words and another with his fist.

“How are you settling into the crowd here?” Tanya asks. Something about her has my defenses rising. Obviously having her reinstated to the Clark Medical Group did something to rile up my fiancé. Fake fiancé.

I’d meant to tell him how much I want things between us to continue, but after everything tonight, it might be better to wait.

“I’m learning the ropes,” I say, picking up my glass of water.

“That’s more than some are willing to do. This crowd, these kind of people can be so intimidating if you don’t know exactly what you want and the way to get it.”

I tilt my head an inch, trying to read her better. There’s a lot of outward confidence, but does that extend inward as well?

“I can understand that. We’re all lost if we don’t know what we want, right?” I say, using my fork to make a straight line with the rice on my plate.

Tanya leans over, her eyes boring through me. “And what is it you want, Danielle? With all the trouble you’ve managed to stir up, I would think you’d want to give Miles some space. Less stress about his personal life when he’s got enough to worry about at work.”

A small measure of doubt enters my brain. And instead of answering, I figure I might as well keep the woman talking. “You’re the one who gave him up before. Why come back now?”

She grins and while I’m don’t usually resort to violence unless necessary, my fists ball at my sides.

“Because I wanted this position and everything that comes with it.”

“And that was worth giving up Miles?”

With a quick shrug, she says, “I doubt it will be long before I have him back.” The challenge in her eyes drives that doubt in a bit further and I nod.

“I think you’ve burned a few too many bridges in your quest to have it all. But that’s not my decision.”

I stand, taking my clutch with me. “Excuse me. I need to find the Ladies’ room.”