by Gina Drayer
Mike sighed and sat down in the nearest chair. “I don’t understand. Why would he keep that from me?”
“He didn’t want you to worry. Neither of us did.” She sounded weary now. “That’s why he changed the bylaws before he died. To keep me on the board for life. He figured, if I received a regular paycheck from the company, I’d be okay. I don’t think he counted on you selling.”
Mike got up and sat next to his mother and placed a hand over hers. “Why didn’t you ask me for help?”
Heather looked out the picture window and into the garden that filled up the backyard. She had a look of longing on her face along with remnants of regret. “I know you never saw me as a mother, not that I blame you, but I always took that job seriously. You shouldn’t have to take care of me. I didn’t want to ask for the money, but I’m not sure what else to do. I already sold the house in the Keys. I’ll be putting this one on the market soon. I just… I wanted a little more time.”
“Dammit, Heather. I would have helped. Joe would have helped. You’re family.”
“It’s not right. I shouldn’t have asked for the money.” She took a deep breath and released it. “Once I sell the house, I’ll—”
“You’re not selling the house,” Mike said, cutting her off. “I’ll take care of the rest of the bills and make sure you have enough to live on.”
She turned and stared directly at him. “No. Your father wouldn’t have wanted this.”
“You’re right,” he said. “But there were a lot of things Dad wanted that are never going to happen. I didn’t want the company, and you need the money more than I do.”
The tears were back, and she smiled slightly. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” They’d never been touchy-feely, but when he saw the visible relief on her face, he couldn’t help but hug her. “Besides, now that I know you and Uncle Joe will be fine, I can make plans for my future.”
Now that he had all the paperwork signed for the sale, Mike still had one more place to go before he could feel comfortable handing the company over. He didn’t buy flowers to leave at the grave. Instead, he took with him a patch that was sewn into uniforms of the workers who work for Brighton Security.
His father was buried at a small church cemetery. He hadn’t wanted an extravagant funeral or send-offs after his death. His father’s grave marker was a simple granite slab with his
name on it.
Mike placed the patch next to flowers that were already in the small vase, probably sent by his step-mother.
Although he found it weird to talk to a grave, Mike didn’t know how else to express his feelings. He didn’t really get a chance to talk to his father as much as he wanted while the
man was alive, so this was his chance to get a lot of the things off his chest.
“Hey, Dad,” Mike said.
He knelt down closer to the gravestone, almost as if doing so kept him closer to his father. “I’ve been thinking a lot about family recently. I know what you were trying to do for Heather, and while I wish you would have told me, I understand why you did it. You see, I met a woman. I think you would have liked her. She’s a bit strong-willed, but has the strength you always respected.”
Mike ran his fingers over the gravestone, hoping the feel of each granule of stone would give him the courage to finish what he had to say.
“I just hope wherever you are, I haven’t disappointed you too much. I know you had high hopes for me at Brighton,” he said. “I tried, Dad. I can honestly say that I truly tried to keep it up and running. Maybe I just didn’t have the passion you did, but at least I’m making sure the employees have a great future. Now I have to go out and find one for myself.” He traced over the indentation and his father’s name absently. “Something tells me if you were still here you’d understand.” He kissed his fingers and pressed it against the cold granite. “I love you, Dad.”
It was time for him to start living for himself. He had a few passions to chase after. One of them was going to take some time to rediscover. For the other, he just had to man up and
chase after her.
15
Set Your Walkaway Limit.
Even before you start your next negotiation, establish the limits. Set your best case, worst case, and the minimum you're willing to accept. In an ideal negotiation, a collaborative win-win solution for both parties is best.
Holly had left on the first flight to Chicago after meeting with Mike. She knew she was running, but she couldn’t stay in that hotel one minute longer. She couldn’t go back to Brighton Security.
There was no possible way she could drag it out any longer. And the longer she stayed, the more she started wanting things that couldn’t be. Like Mike. Even if they wanted to make it work, they were too different. They lived two completely separate lives. It didn’t equate to a healthy, long-term relationship.
She tried to convince herself that leaving, like she did, was better for everyone involved. She needed to get back and tell her boss that she couldn’t close the deal. Someone else would get assigned to the case. It would be their decision.
But despite her rationalizations, Holly wasn’t sure she had made the right choice. Mike had been right. There was more between them than just this deal. She at least owed him an explanation. Not that it would have made a difference.
Now that she was home, it was easy to tell herself that it had all been some fluke attraction born of lack of sex, but her heart wouldn’t accept the lie. Yes, she was attracted to him, and the sex was amazing, but their short and intense affair had felt like so much more.
Maybe she just needed to get out there and go on a date. Her focus had been on her job for so long that she forgot what it was to connect with another person. Her relationship was her job, and that had been enough for her. Until Mike.
As she entered her cold, lifeless apartment, Holly felt broken. Heartache was too mild a term. Because her heart didn’t so much as ache as it throbbed and tightened in her chest until she couldn’t breathe. For the first time since she was a child, Holly curled up in her bed and cried herself to sleep.
The next morning, Holly went into the office ready to admit defeat. It didn’t take long for Mr. Whitman to summon her to his office.
“Glad to have you back, Holly,” he said.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, slightly confused by his light tone. She’d been expecting a reaming.
“No need for formalities. Not after closing that deal. You keep this up, you’ll be the youngest partner in our history.”
Holly looked at him. “I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about. I came to let you know that I couldn’t close the deal.”
Mr. Whitman’s laughter made her jump. His head fell back, and he gripped the desk.
“Good one, Holly. But Mike Brighton faxed over the signed copies of the contract yesterday, so your little joke is spoiled,” he said. “The notarized sales papers should be couriered over this afternoon.”
“What?” She tried to take in what he was saying.
“The company’s been sold. Our client will be taking over the franchise this time next week.”
She didn’t hear much after learning that the Brighton Security deal had finally gone through. Mike had done it. Somehow he’d gotten his step-mother to relent. Did this mean he was going to open that architectural firm? Build that landmark? It saddened her that she wouldn’t get to see him do it.
“Holly? Are you listening?” Mr. Whitman asked, sounding a bit put out.
She snapped back to the present to find Mr. Whitman staring at her. “Sorry, I got in late last night. I’m still trying to adjust,” she said. “What were you saying?”
“I was letting you know that I’ve been talking to the other partners about you. This deal has really given us all confidence in your abilities. I have an opportunity for you. Something that will ensure you’re offered a partnership.”
“Partner?” she asked, trying to wrap her brain around
what Whitman was saying.
“You didn’t think we’d have you out there doing field work forever, did you?”
Holly wondered in the past how long it would take for her to see a promotion. She had been traveling for the last two years, so much that she didn’t even see her own apartment as home anymore.
“I wasn’t too sure,” she said. “You keep telling me I’m your best negotiator. I thought that’s where you wanted me.”
“Well, I won’t lie. I wish I could clone you. But I also realize what an asset you are,” Mr. Whitman said. “That’s why I want you to be in charge of the new office. Hopefully, some of your magic will rub off on your team.”
It felt like her entire career had built up to this moment, and she didn’t know how to react or what to say. Nervous excitement hit her all at once.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you speechless, Holly,” Mr. Whitman said, laughing.
“I uhm… Thank you,” she finally said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
“Good. We’re willing to give you time before the move, but we’d need you there within a few months.”
She’d never considered moving from the city before, but maybe it was worth it. “Another office in Illinois?” she asked.
“Actually, Dallas.”
“Texas?” That came as a blow she didn’t see coming, even though it took on the form of a promotion.
“A new branch does mean you’d need to move.” He sounded like she’d be a fool to deny such an opportunity as if he was handing her the keys to an exclusive kingdom.
“I thought you would mean somewhere in the state. I didn’t think we worked in Texas?”
“Not anymore,” he said. The grin on his face was hard to miss. “Western Financial is expanding our regional reach. We’ve decided to go national, and hopefully international in the next few years. We would need you to make a decision on this quickly, Holly.”
“I need some time to think this over. Can I at least have that?”
“You deserve some rest after this last deal. Tell you what, why don’t you take the rest of the week off? Then come back in here and let us know what you decide. You need to act quickly, or we’ll have to consider other candidates.”
A week? How was she supposed to make such a life-changing decision by then? It seemed extreme, even for her. Her family was here in Chicago. Her life, such that it was.
What was keeping her from saying yes? Maybe a new life in another state was what she needed. It wasn’t like she had a personal life to ruin.
There was no one to talk it over with. No boyfriend or significant other. Not even a friend. That pang was back, choking her.
She couldn’t think about this right now. She needed some caffeine to clear the fog. As soon as she left Mr. Whitman’s office, she hightailed to the break room to make herself a strong cup of coffee with sugar and no cream. The caffeine and sugar hit her faster that way, and she needed all the liquid help she could get to think straight.
“Wow,” a grating female voice said behind her. “You actually pulled it off. I’d be impressed if I didn’t think you’d manufactured the whole delay to make yourself look like a hero.”
She didn’t even bother to turn around because she knew exactly who was behind her. “Hello, Rosalyn.” Of course, the woman would find her when she really just needed a minute alone.
“I fully expected this assignment to be the one to kill your winning streak,” Rosalyn said. “Color me surprised.”
“I didn’t do it to surprise you. It was my job.”
“A job that took you ten times longer than it was supposed to. Brighton Security was meant to be a simple close. Yet, you took your sweet time finishing the buyout.”
She turned around to face Rosalyn. It wouldn’t have been easy to be mad at the woman, but Holly could see herself reflected back in those ambitious eyes. Instead of angry, she actually felt sorry for the woman.
“Why do you have a problem with me? I have never done anything to hurt you or ruin your chances here, yet you seem to go out of your way to make me miserable.”
“Wake up, honey. You are the competition. Always have been and always will be for as long as you’re working here.” She held her arms out and looked around them. “That’s how all of this works. Without competition, we’d all be out of a job.”
“Not everything we do around here is a race to the finish. It doesn’t have to always be all or nothing. Maybe that’s your problem.” Holly took a few big gulps of her coffee. It was the only thing keeping her from slapping Rosalyn. She should have just left after Mr. Whitman gave her the time off.
“I guess your promotion has one silver lining. I won’t have to see you around the office anymore,” Rosalyn said. “I hope you enjoy Dallas.”
“You know what, if you really think you deserve a promotion, why don’t you take it up with Mr. Whitman?” She couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her voice, even if she tried. “I have no control over what he does with the company. He’s the one you should be talking to. Not me.”
“How am I supposed to do that? You’re his star pupil.”
“You know what, never mind.” Holly sighed. Roslyn was always going to look for an excuse, and there was nothing she could do to change that. “I’ve had a long week, and I’m going home.”
Why didn’t she just say yes? Her family was here in Chicago, but that wouldn’t have stopped her in the past. Mom would be upset if she moved, but her father would be the first person to insist she take the job. Maybe that’s what she needed to hear.
While driving back to her place, she dialed her dad. He still kept eight-hour days, despite moving to a part-time board position with the bank.
“Congratulations,” Dad said.
“What?”
“On your promotion.” He cleared his throat, sounding a bit unsure. “That is why you called, right?”
“How do you even know about that? I just found out myself.”
“Charlie sits on the board. I knew that they voted on Monday.”
Monday? She hadn’t even closed the deal on Monday. Hell, she hadn’t even closed the deal. Mike was the one who signed all the papers and sent them in.
“Partner is a big deal. Managing an office. Having your own team. You’ve worked so hard for this, but I never imagined that you’d make it in such a short time. I’m proud of you.”
For some reason, hearing those words made her less sure about taking the job. It’s not that she didn’t deserve the job. Her dad was right, she’d worked her ass off for this promotion, but she wasn’t sure she wanted it anymore.
“I’m not sure I should take the job,” she blurted.
“If you’re worried about your mother, I’ll talk to her. You can still come up on holidays, and I’m sure we can make time to come down and visit you.”
“It’s not that.” Holly took a deep breath and confessed what had been bothering her for the last few days. “I don’t like my job.”
“Hmm,” was all that Dad said.
“I don’t hate it,” Holly continued, “but it’s not something I’m passionate about.” She remembered the way Mike talked about designing buildings. She wanted that kind of passion in her life. “I like working with small companies, but I hate tearing them apart, letting them get swallowed by larger corporations.”
“Then you should turn down the offer,” Dad said, surprising her. “A Partnership is a big commitment to the company. If your heart isn’t in it, then you’ll be doing a disservice to yourself as well as the Western Financial. Being happy is more important than getting the corner office.”
“I’m not even sure what will make me happy,” she confessed. “Work is all I really have.”
“I’m glad you’re really giving this thought,” he said. “Your mother and I have been worried about you. I may have worked a lot, but your mother means the world to me. If I had to choose between work and her, I’d give it all up in a heartbeat. Think about what you want before giving them a
n answer.”
Holly wasn’t sure what to make of his advice. He’d told her long ago that the key to a happy life was all about negotiations and compromises. She’d assumed he meant she’d have to compromise her personal life in order to get ahead.
She went back to her small apartment to think, but the space felt confining. The two bedrooms had always felt like more space than she needed, but right now, she felt like the walls were closing in on her. She went out on the balcony that looked over the Chicago River. It had been a long time since she’d just sat and looked out at the view. It used to bring her a lot of joy, but now it reminded her of Mike. It wasn’t the same, and she didn’t know how to process that change.
The sun sparkled off the water, reminding her of that afternoon at the construction site. Memories haunted her until she couldn’t stand it any longer. She could only think about Mike. She had a feeling no matter what she did, he wouldn’t be easily forgotten.
Work had been what she’d focused on for the past few years. It made her happy doing it, and she had a purpose, but thinking about her career now didn’t satisfy her.
Many of the people she’d gone to school with had families of their own. Some were able to juggle career and family. So why hadn’t she considered it before?
Her mind suddenly drifted to what it would be like to have a family with Mike. His blue eyes and kind smile along with her unruly hair on a chubby-faced baby almost melted her heart. Maybe one of them would even want to build things like Mike loved doing.
She thought about him taking her to see the view in that new building. He barely knew her, yet he’d chosen to share something so personal about himself with her. That intimacy had scared her at first. She wasn’t used to guys being so open and honest. Not in her world.
Most men wanted something from her, and she didn’t have time to play around with their nonsense. She dealt with sexism enough at work. The last thing she needed to deal with was a guy who thought she owed him something because he’d bought her dinner.
