Page 46 of Claiming Her Cougar (Shifting Pines #2)

MALLORY

A little over a week after our meeting in the conference room, Will emails me, Ben, and Miller to alert us that there’s a department meeting this morning to introduce Teagan, announce that the pier will be a joint venture, and that we’re taking point on leasing.

I can only imagine how my involvement will go over with some people.

I’m newer to the leasing side of things, and no one knows that I’ve done this before—admittedly on a smaller scale with strip malls, but the mechanics are similar.

I’ll just do a good job and shut up anyone who doubts me.

Instead of having a formal announcement in the conference room, we all just gather in the open area of the third floor.

I stand with Miller and Ben as Will and Teagan come off the elevator.

I look around but don’t see Liam or Jake.

I don’t know if I can hold myself together if I see Liam.

I’m still raw from him dumping me last week.

I have bags under my eyes and have been putting my hair in a basic ponytail.

I’m neat and clean, but I haven’t been making much of an effort with my appearance.

What’s the point? In contrast, Teagan looks coolly professional in a navy pinstripe pantsuit with a red blouse.

I bet it’s silk. Her blonde hair is in a chignon.

If I didn’t already like her, I think I’d hate her for being so perfect.

She’s intimidating, that’s for sure. I’m glad she’s on our side in this business arrangement.

The chatter in the room dies away as Teagan and Will move to stand near Mike’s office. He comes out to join them.

“Hello, everyone,” Will begins. “I’d like to introduce Teagan Penhall, owner of Devil’s Den and part of Penhall Enterprises out of Las Vegas.”

Teagan smiles and inclines her head in greeting to the assembled group in response to the murmured hellos.

“As you know, Morgan Development has purchased the Sand Dollar Pier and will renovate it. What we can now announce is that the pier will be owned as a joint venture between Morgan Development and Penhall Enterprises. It will be a departure from our typical retail center.” He looks to Teagan.

She nods. “We’re so excited to be partnering on this. The Sand Dollar Pier most recently has been retail, and in the past was successful as a typical mall, but as you all know, consumer tastes have changed, and Atlantic City is certainly not a typical destination.”

She pauses to allow murmurs of agreement to ripple through the room. She’s good at public speaking, but I guess that’s expected for a person in her position.

“We’re doing something different for the market and combining specialty retail with sports entertainment.

The pier is being refurbished to include a full-size NHL ice rink with smaller practice rinks and locker rooms in order to host hockey tournaments, local teams, ice skating shows and competitions, private lessons, parties, and public skating. ”

Excited murmurs spread, and Ben grins at me.

“We’re also considering other activities for families and events such as batting cages, an indoor driving range, and possibly basketball and tennis courts on the top level.”

I hadn’t thought of all of those sports. They could be used year-round, depending how they’re set up.

“We’ll have casual dining and a food court as well as retail stores for clothing and equipment to complement the attractions we offer.

We’ll also have non-sporty offerings, like a bookstore and coffee shop, for those who get dragged to games and practices and really just want to read their book and drink some good coffee. ”

I smile at the chuckles from my coworkers. I’m excited that all my ideas are being presented as fact. Miller nudges me with his shoulder and gives me a wink when I look up at him.

Will holds up his hand to quiet everyone.

“In time, everyone will work on this project, but for now, our point people for the initial leasing will be Miller, Ben, and Mallory. With their backgrounds and experience, we know they’ll be integral to bringing exciting and valued tenants to the property. ”

“Experience sleeping their way to the top,” someone mutters. By someone, I mean Janet, of course.

I want to pass out.

“Who said that?” Teagan asks sharply. Will looks pissed. Mike is typing on his phone.

No one says anything, but people move away from Janet until she’s on her own little island in the room. She lifts her chin defiantly but doesn’t admit to being a bitch.

Teagan looks directly at Janet. “I’m the one who hand-picked each person on that team, and I assure you, I’m not sleeping with any of them. Anyway, only an idiot would make multi-million-dollar business decisions based on sex, and I am most definitely not an idiot.”

Looking out over the room, Will has the air of a disappointed dad who’s going to ground the hell out of someone as soon as their guest leaves.

Shaking his head, he says, “I must apologize for that outburst, Teagan, and to the three of you.” He looks to where I stand shell-shocked, with Miller and Ben, who are flanking me like they’re the guardians of my honor.

They aren’t stupid men. They know that comment was directed at me.

I’m so embarrassed. I’m pissed too. I’ve done nothing wrong.

Hell, I’ve refrained from following what my heart and other vital parts wanted to avoid this type of situation.

I am afraid to look around the room and see the faces of people who agree with Janet’s opinion.

You know what? Screw it. I know I deserve this opportunity and the people that matter know I’m more than capable of doing this.

Ben and Miller want to work with me. They don’t think this is a special favor for boinking Liam.

I straighten my spine and look around the room with my head held high.

To my surprise, what I view are smiling and sympathetic faces.

Liam is standing at the back of the gathering with Jake at his side.

Jake’s face is furious. I can’t read Liam’s expression.

I look directly into Liam’s blue eyes, stormy with emotion.

I miss when they used to be clear blue and looking back at me with affection.

I turn my attention to Will, who’s just started speaking again.

“Thank you for giving us your attention. We’ll share more details on the progress of renovations and other things as they become available.” Will turns to shake hands with Teagan and then walks over to Mike. They go into Mike’s office and close the door. Jake and Liam approach Teagan.

“You okay?” Ben asks quietly.

“Yeah. Mortified, but I’ll survive,” I say.

Miller gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

Teagan, Liam, and Jake join us.

“What a cow,” she mutters.

Assorted coworkers offer us congratulations and well-wishes as they get coffee from the break room and head back to their desks and offices. We smile and thank them.

“I think the cow is about to be slaughtered,” Miller murmurs with a chin jerk, directing us to look across the room where Janet is entering Mike’s office. Mike looks our way and nods before closing his door.

“Moo,” Jake intones, causing us all to laugh and garnering looks.

“You’re not the first person she’s pulled crap like that on, Mallory,” Ben says. “But hopefully you’ll be the last. She’s toxic.”

“And sneaky,” Miller says. “She went too far this time.”

I cast a worried glance toward Mike’s closed door.

“It’s not because she targeted you specifically,” Miller reassures me. “It’s that she said something like that about anyone .”

“We shouldn’t be standing here watching Mike’s door like a flock of vultures,” I say. “I’m going back to my desk to finish up the last few collections matters. Good seeing you, Teagan, Jake.”

With my attempt at a calm, friendly smile, I turn and walk back to my office.

I make it to my chair before my knees buckle.

Propping my crossed arms on my desk, I rest my head on them and groan.

I can’t win. I tried so hard to not have whatever my relationship was with Liam be an issue in my job, and here it is, alluded to in the middle of a department-wide meeting. Great.

“Hey.”

I raise my head. Liam’s entered my office and is standing in front of my desk with a look of concern on his face. What I wouldn’t give to be held by his powerful arms and to rest my head against his chest. I could cry, and he’d let me. Well, he would have. Before. Not now.

Daphne comes rushing in right behind him and comes to my side, bending down to give me a hug.

“Oh my God, Mallory, are you okay?” she asks as she releases me and straightens up. She leans a hip against my desk next to my chair.

Tears fill my eyes, and I blink rapidly to keep them from falling. I guess news of my humiliation made it down to the second floor already.

“No. Yes. I don’t know!” I pull in a shuddering breath. “I’m embarrassed. Everyone knows Janet was talking about me and Liam, no matter how Teagan deflected it. That’s what I’ve been trying to avoid.”

From the main room, I hear Mike say, “Take your purse. We’ll have your personal belongings boxed up and delivered to your home this evening.”

They fired Janet? I don’t think they’ve fired anyone in the year I’ve been here. Except for retirement or a change in life situation, no one leaves Morgan. It’s a great company to work for, and they’re loyal to their employees.

“It’s been discussed before, even before recent events. She’s been given multiple chances and used up her last one,” Daphne says in a whisper.

I nod. The elevator doors close, chatter resumes in the office, and I let out the breath I was holding.

“She’s spread similar rumors in the past. No one cares. She’s like the girl who cried wolf. No pun intended.” She’s trying to make me laugh, bless her.

“Well, this time they’re true!” I whisper-shout.

“No, they’re not. Your position here has nothing to do with your position with him.” Daphne shoots Liam a dirty look.