Page 53 of Bargain With the Boss

Period.

Even if I had to stand over Melissa Maitland’s desk to make sure they were entered in correctly.

My heels clicked on the floor as I passed the small courtroom and headed toward the business offices. The front of the building was all windows and massive archways, letting sunlight pour in. I could feel a bead of sweat slip down my spine. I’d opted for one of my business suits today to face the firing squad.

I’d gone through all the paperwork that FHK had in progress. It had been a grueling week, but an eye-opening one.

I didn’t know how I could pull Jude away from their company. Even if I managed to sabotage the Lakeview Terrace project, it wouldn’t be enough to sink the company. And seeing the beautiful projects they were designing, I found that I truly didn’t want to.

I rubbed at my temple as the heat and humidity sunk into the old building adding to my own stress headache.

Dammit, I didn’t know what to do and I hated that more than anything.

I stopped at a vending machine to get a bottle of water, but swore as it was out of order.

I stopped in at the bathrooms and ran cool water over my wrists. I winced at my reflection. My eyes were bruised regardless of the valiant effort of my makeup. I dried my hands then dug into my purse for powder and cursed as my phone lit up.

My mother.

Again.

Knowing she couldn’t be put off any longer, I answered. “Hello.”

“Don’t hello me. You’ve been ignoring my calls for days.”

“I’ve answered in emails, Mother. I’ve only been here for a few weeks. I’m not sure what you expect in that time.”

“I expect updates and you to get your brother back here.”

“For what exactly? The business is running fine without him in the office, Mother.”

“Because he needs to be here. The board is asking questions.”

“He’s started a family here. If the word means so much to them, they must see that plenty of board members don’t live right in Seattle. Isn’t it more important that he’s settled with his wife and children.”

“We must make a united front for this merger. Need I remind you that your entire department is at risk if you don’t do this, Sydney.”

“Oh, I haven’t forgotten. You do realize it’s my department that keeps the business afloat when it comes to the Christmas season.”

“You think I don’t have backups in place?”

Her cool tone had the sweat turning to clammy nerves. I opened my mouth to reply and she went on.

“I have over a dozen people shadowing your employees. In fact, maybe Pete should be the first to go. He took three days sick leave for a surgery or some such nonsense. I’m not sure that was preapproved.”

“Don’t you dare.”

“I want results.” Her voice was ice.

“Jude can come in for the merger. That’s all that the people at Sophisticated Spaces need to know.” The lump in my throat shook me. I couldn’t show her weakness.

“I have a vision. Jude is part of the vision.”

But not me?

Not any of the things I wanted to accomplish mattered.

“If you want to be a part of that vision with your little garden venture, you might want to remember that.”