Page 6 of Bargain With the Boss

“You can’t do that!” I dropped my folio on her desk. “They don’t have anything to do with my plans for A Garden You Love.”

“Oh, don’t they? You wouldn’t be bringing Leah, Pete, Lynn, and Jared with you if your plans got off the ground?”

I shut my mouth, my throat closing at her words.

“Remember, I’m the one who taught you everything you know.”

“Their jobs shouldn’t be contingent on an idea I had. I’ll rescind the offer for the?—”

“Too late now. You brought the proposal to me.”

“And I can take it back.”

My mother’s perfectly lined lips quirked up in the corner. “That’s not how it works. It could be a very profitable piece to add to my company.”

Her company. She didn’t even pretend that it was a family company at this point.

And I was just a piece on her chess board.

“See, now that wasn’t so hard.” She picked up her pen. “Now, I have a meeting with my colleague in London. We are a go for a store right in the heart of the city.” She looked down at her legal pad, my dismissal obvious.

“Since when?”

“Since last Monday.” She gave me a cool look. “It’s none of your concern.”

“Everything about expansion has to do with me. London customers aren’t like Americans.”

“No, they’re far more discerning with their style and taste.”

“Exactly, it takes a lot of research and market analysis to figure out what would sell.”

“I know that, Sydney. I’m always three steps ahead on any deal I make, you know that.”

I did. But I also knew my mother’s hubris could cloud her sense when it comes to expanding the company in areas that weren’t right for our customer base. More than once I had to jump in and navigate the location for our stores.

Because I was the one who actually did the research.

She lifted her phone. “Judy, dial Frank Meacher for me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I shook my head. She couldn’t even dial a damn number on her own.

I grabbed my folio. Right now that wasn’t my problem. I crossed the room and just before I got to the archway, her voice followed me.

“I know you’ll figure it out, Sydney. I’m counting on you. So is your team.”

I didn’t bother replying as I sailed out of the room and past Judy. She wouldn’t even look up at me.

She knew just how fucked I was.

Chapter 2

Xavier

I tossed my stress ball up above my head, aiming for the bullseye I’d pinned to the ceiling. If I hit the center red circle three times maybe I wouldn’t send the threatening email that had my fingers burning.

It wouldn’t help anything.