“Hi, Linda. What can I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you had a moment to talk.” She jerked her head toward an empty meeting room. “In private.”
“Of course.” She pushed up from her chair and tried to suck in a deep breath as subtly as she could. Anxiety twinged low in her gut.
Despite being a black belt in conflict avoidance, Emmaline was doing her best to keep those skills buried. One thing she’d always hated about herself was that she struggled to stand her ground in the face of someone else’s anger—but the days of being a coward were long gone. It was time to take accountability for her actions.
Linda shut the meeting room door behind Emmaline and motioned for her to take a seat. The main wall of the room was floor-to-ceiling glass, which always made her feel like she was in a fishbowl. Surely if Linda was planning on having it out with her, she would have taken her to one of the more private rooms that they usually reserved for “difficult” meetings.
“I have to admit, when Janice told me that you were withdrawing your ASTAR application, I was pretty disappointed,” Linda said. “Human Resources often falls behind the pack in these things because we’re not directly impacting the bottom line in the way our retail teams are.”
She swallowed. “I know.”
“It’s my goal to get management on board with what we’re doing and to see the value of investing in our team. Having an ASTAR winner from HR would go a long way in helping that agenda.” Linda held up her hand when Emmaline opened her mouth to respond. “I know, that’s a little selfish of me, and of course, I want what’s best for my staff. But I also want to be transparent about my personal goals for this team.”
“I understand,” Emmaline said. “I appreciate you being upfront with me. I had a long think about it—”
“I’m sure you did. I see great potential in you, Emmaline. You’re bright and hardworking, but you’ve also got a great mentality about doing what’s best for the company.” Linda smiled. “I don’t know what made you change your mind about the application. But I’m glad you did.”
Emmaline blinked. “You are?”
“Of course I am. I knew you’d make the final round.” She opened the folder in front of her that contained a certificate and a little silver pin in the shape of a star with the company logo etched into it. “Congratulations.”
Emmaline’s stomach plummeted, the sensation so fast and so sharp that she had to grip the edge of her seat to ground herself. The elaborate script font that spelled out her name swam in front of her eyes. No, this wasn’t supposed to happen.
“I, uh…” She shook her head, trying to compose herself. “This isn’t what I—”
“I’m going to stop you before you say something self-deprecating.” Linda folded her hands on the table in front of her. “You deserve this. I’ve personally endorsed your application because I want to see people like you rewarded for your efforts. I know us women are trained to be modest and to deny our success, but I hate that. You’re going places, and you shouldn’t have to be shy about it.”
The air was sucked out Emmaline’s lungs as she grappled for a response. What the hell was she supposed to do? Tell Linda that she’d withdrawn her application and that was the end of it? It was a catch-22. If she lied now and got found out, she’d lose Linda’s respect. But if she pulled out of the running now it would be a definite slap in the face.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Nothing to say, just be proud of yourself.” Linda leaned back in her chair and flipped the folder shut. “It’ll be stiff competition. The list is made up of a lot of retail folk—visual merchandisers, area managers, product buyers. It’s hard to compete with the people who’re tied so closely to the bottom line.”
Maybe she wouldn’t win. Maybe she’d end up somewhere on the bottom of the list, and she could slink away from this whole experience unscathed.
“But you have a secret weapon,” Linda said with a knowing twinkle in her eye. “Parker Wentworth.”
“W-what?” she stammered. “What does Park— Uh, Mr. Wentworth have to do with it?”
Could she know? Had Mark let the cat out of the bag? Crappity crap.
“All that work you’ve been doing on the employee engagement report.” Linda looked at her as though she might be losing her marbles. “I’m not sure how much you know about CEOs, but they usually don’t take much time with staff at your level. Whatever you’re doing has got his personal attention, and that’s got to be an edge on anyone else on that list.”
“Right.” Her knuckles ached from where she gripped the edge of her chair, but she wouldn’t let go for fear that she might slide to the ground in a puddle of shame and embarrassment.
“And while they say it’s a panel decision, everyone knows the CEO has the final say. If he wants you to win, you’ll win.” Linda clapped her hands together. “All right, I need to press on, but I wanted to say congratulations in person. You’re doing us proud.”
As Linda left the room, Emmaline stayed glued to her chair. How could everything have gone wrong so quickly? Just as she’d been thinking that everything was perfect between her and Parker…
It had to be him. Her boss wouldn’t have the power to override her withdrawal, and Linda was under the impression that Emmaline had changed her mind. The only other person who’d known that she was pulling out of the running was Parker. The plan had been to quietly recuse herself and let everyone think that she failed to make the final round cut.
No, it had to have been him.
A sickening sensation swished in her stomach. It must mean that the reason Parker had been quiet about her withdrawing her application was because he’d gone behind her back and reversed her decision. She’d forgiven him for the Mark situation because he’d come clean—and because he’d been right about Mark not acting like a friend—but this was a step too far.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
She wasn’t going to accept being put in an awkward position where she had to compromise her values because someone else thought they could make her decisions for her. If she was going to be an ASTAR finalist, then that meant she couldn’t be Parker’s kind-of girlfriend.
If he’d done this, knowing her fears, she wouldn’t be his anything.
…
Parker sat at his desk, unable to concentrate. Since it was a Friday, Mercy and her team had already left for the day—seeking out the local watering holes or heading home to their families for the weekend. But he had to get through one last board report before he could call it a day.
Skimming the last few pages in front of him, he jotted down a few action items. Then he tossed the document onto the hefty stack of updates and whitepapers he’d already finished, and let out a triumphant cheer. Picking up the phone, he called Emmaline’s extension.
“Emmaline speaking,” she answered the phone with unusual detachment.
“I am finally done.” He eyed the bag by his feet. “Are you excited for a night of debauchery?”
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Can I come up and see you before we head off?”
“Sure, no one is up here besides me, so come up when you’re ready.”
Parker tended to his out-of-control email inbox while he waited for Emmaline, needing to keep his hands busy. Tonight was going to be perfect. He’d booked out the best suite at the Crown Towers hotel, the one usually reserved for celebrities. They’d have themselves a decadent evening including the luxury indoor swimming pool and private spa. He had plans for Emmaline and that spa.
As he was tidying up the remaining items on his desk, the office door swung open and Emmaline walked in. As usual, she looked like perfection—she’d taken to wearing super-high heels whenever they were getting together, and today was no exception.
Though, if he was being honest, it wasn’t just the heels that got his engine revved, but the knowledge of why she was wearing them. To please him.
“Parker, stop.” She stood barely inside the doorway, her hands knotted in front of her. There was no luggage in sight. Now that he looked closer there was a stiffness to Emmaline’s posture—a rigidity that got his intuition tingling.
“What’s wrong?” He came around his desk and reached for her, but she stepped back.
“You know what’s wrong.”
A stone settled in the pit of his stomach. Had she already found out about the ASTAR application? He’d been hoping to get her relaxed tonight before he broke the news. It wasn’t exactly the reason he’d proposed the night away, but it had certainly been weighing on him since he put her back in the running. Finalists weren’t supposed to be informed until the coming Monday—but clearly Linda had gone and opened her big mouth again.
He’d need to have a word to his HR Director about her ability to follow instructions.
Emmaline chewed on the inside of her lip, unnerved by the silence. “I know I made the ASTAR finalists, okay? And I know you put me on that list, so don’t even try to lie to me.”
“I’m not going to lie.” He leaned back against his desk, curling his hands around the edge to keep himself from crowding her. All he wanted to do was scoop her up and tell her he would take care of everything—but he figured that message wouldn’t be too well received right now. “Yes, I put you on that list.”
“How could you?” She threw her hands in the air. “Why would you do that after I told you I was worried about my reputation?”
“Because you deserve to be on that list,” he replied.
“That’s not up to you.”
“It’s 100 percent up to me. I have to approve the list.” He tapped the little gold nameplate on his desk—a gag gift from Sydney that he couldn’t bring himself to get rid of. “I’m the boss, remember?”
“I can’t believe it.” She pressed her lips together and shut her eyes for a second, her fingers going to her temple. “I can’t believe I thought you were different.”
“I know I should have said something earlier, but—”
“No, Parker. You shouldn’t have done it at all. What were you hoping to achieve?”
“I was hoping to stop you from punishing yourself,” he said, raking a hand through his hair. “I know how important this opportunity is to you, and you’re throwing it away because some dickhead couldn’t keep his jealousy to himself.”
“Don’t try to make this about Mark,” she said, her eyes clear and still as a frozen lake. “You knew how I felt about people trying to control me.” The iciness slipped away then and fiery passion and anger blazed across her face. “You knew that this would upset me, and that’s why you didn’t say anything.”
“I had to do something. I couldn’t stand by and watch you give something up for…” Fuck. A lump lodged in his throat. “For me.”
“I did it for me, Parker. I did it to protect my reputation, because it’s important to me.” She shook her head. “I would rather come dead last and know that I earned that place with my own efforts, than come first because of who I associate with.”
There was no point arguing against her—she was right. He had known that it would upset her. “I thought I was doing the right thing. You’ve been telling me all this time how much it means to you to be working again.”
“So why would I take a kickback?” She wrapped her arms around her waist. “Why would I risk people questioning my morals?”
“You shouldn’t be so worried about what people think of you. They’ll talk about nothing if need be. The gossip doesn’t mean anything.”
“Did it mean something when they were gossiping about your family?” She raised a brow. “You were singing a different tune when the gossip was aimed in your direction, if I remember correctly. So don’t tell me what I should or shouldn’t be worried about.”
“I’m sorry, Emmaline. I just…”
Just what? Tell her that you care about her and that’s why you did it.
The voice in his head shocked him statue-like, an ice-cold trickling working through his veins until his whole body was immobile. Of course he cared about Emmaline—he wouldn’t have done a damn thing if he didn’t. Until now he’d been comfortable ignoring the pesky feelings that’d taken root inside him, but if he didn’t come clean now, then this would be it.
No more sexy ten p.m. visits. No more sneaking away from the office. No more Emmaline.
“It’s not good enough.” She threw her hands up in the air. “I made a promise that I wouldn’t allow myself to be in this position again. I won’t stand for you trying to control my life. I…I can’t.”
“I swear, Emmaline, I was trying to do the right thing. I—”
“No, you weren’t. Because if you did, you would have talked to me before taking action.” She let out a bitter laugh. “You forget that I’ve lived with a manipulative man before. It’s easy to claim good intentions after the fact. You were being selfish.”
“What selfish reason could I possibly have to do this?”
“Thinking you know better what I need rather than letting me figure it out.” Her voice wavered. “Or perhaps you think I’m too stupid to look after myself.”
“I would never say that,” he growled, frustration snowballing inside him until his chest felt like it was going to burst open. “I care about you.”
“Those words mean something to some people, Parker. You shouldn’t throw them around so lightly.”
He reeled as if she’d slapped him. “You think I’d say it to bolster my argument?”
“I honestly don’t know.” She blinked, tears glimmering in her eyes. “For all I know you’ve got someone else waiting in the wings, and maybe this was an easy way to make sure I’d leave you alone.”
The hardness in his chest solidified. The thought of having another woman lined up to take Emmaline’s place made him want to be sick. Or worse, did she think that he’d been with someone already?
“You think I’m that much of a coward?” he spat. “If I learned one thing from my father, it was that infidelity is not for me. You’re saying that to spite me.”
“The thing is, Parker, I want to believe you.” Her lip quivered but she sucked in a breath. “After the whole thing with Mark, I thought we were on the same page. But you’ve been lying to me this whole time.”
“I never technically said—”
“Screw your technicalities.” She turned toward his door. “I’m done.”
Chapter Seventeen
By the time Sunday rolled around, Parker had buried himself in work. Every time his mind drifted to Emmaline he added something else to his to-do list. Work was the thing that had gotten him through the crap in his past, and he would rely on it again now.
No more distractions. No more bullshit.
As a result, he was running late for the “family” dinner he’d been dreading ever since he agreed to attend. Sydney would probably chew him out, but that was the life of a CEO. Work got in the way of personal time. Lord knew how many dinners their father had missed because of his job when they were growing up.
He pulled his Audi up alongside the curb, since the driveway was taken up with Ian’s latest sports car—a McLaren that would have cost as much as a city apartment—and Arthur’s beloved vintage Jaguar. The sight was enough to deflate Parker. He’d been avoiding this for so long, and now he was about to drown himself with all the water he’d let under the bridge.
He walked up the artfully lit pathway, which was flanked by rosebushes, to the front door. The garden was manicured to within an inch of its life. No expense spared. The heady perfume of the flowers coiled around him, suffocating him. The house itself was enormous, one of those new but styled to look old places that would no doubt have top-of-the-line everything. Even the doorbell looked expensive. He jabbed the but
ton with his finger.
Inside a melodic sound echoed and footsteps followed. The door flung open, and Sydney stood there with a tight smile.
“Better late than never,” she said giving Parker a stern look. “I was worried you weren’t going to show.”
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
His sister ushered him inside, fussing over his coat. If there was one thing Sydney knew how to do well, it was play hostess. Her bubbly personality never failed to put anyone at ease, although he learned long ago that behind the smile was a fierce, passionate personality that you did not want to get on the wrong side of.
“Irene has only just dished up, so no need to say sorry.” Sydney swanned through the house with ease. “I’m sure you were about to.”
Parker grunted. How often had she been here? His hands bunched into fists as they walked, and he found himself wishing Emmaline was there to slip her hand into his.
They rounded a corner and walked into a huge open-plan kitchen and dining room. Double French doors were open to the patio, where Arthur sat at a table with Ian and Beau while Irene stood over them, wine in hand. His throat tightened. For some reason, seeing Irene was worse than seeing his father. Because here, now, she was a real person rather than a nasty cartoon villain in his head. She smiled at Arthur with such affection, bending down to plant a kiss on his forehead and looking every bit the loving wife.
“Our final guest has arrived,” Sydney announced.
Beau offered a noncommittal wave rather than getting out of his seat. He was the second youngest—sandwiched between Ian and Sydney. And while he had tousled hair the color of onyx, which seemed harsh and bold next to the softer browns of the other Wentworth siblings, he shared their warm hazel eyes and sculpted features. It would have been impossible to deny the resemblance.
“We’re so glad you could make it,” Irene said. Her hair was the same black as Beau’s, and she wore it pulled into a loose ponytail. “Take a seat wherever you like.”
Taken by the CEO (The Scandalous Wentworths) Page 16
