Without Apology

by Aubrey Bondurant

  He slid off the stool, walking toward me. “I told them I was biased about one of the candidates.”

  “You did?” My heart leapt into my throat. If he didn’t have to interview me any longer, did it mean we could be together?

  “Yes. Although I couldn’t say the name, I told them I had an extreme dislike towards one of the candidates. Meaning Jeff.”

  “So they’re coming here on Thursday and Friday instead?”

  “No. The interviews will be held in New York. I figure if you fly out Thursday afternoon, you can have the interview on Friday.

  As his words sank in, I began to feel ill. “I’d have to fly to New York?”

  “Yes, it’s where the board is located.”

  Of course. It only made sense. What I was about to say made me have to fight tears. “Then I respectfully withdraw my application for CFO.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Simon

  “Wait. What? Rewind what you said.” I had to be missing something.

  “I’m withdrawing my application. I’ll do the interview with you to retain my current job, but I’m not traveling to New York.”

  “Why on earth would you pass on the CFO job now?” I thought she wanted me interviewing her about as much as I wanted to, which was not at all. Her reaction to the board doing it instead should’ve been relief.

  “Because I don’t fly.”

  “Come again?”

  “I don’t fly, Simon. My parents were killed in a plane crash, and I haven’t been on an airplane since.”

  I stood there completely gob smacked. How had I missed this? “I assumed auto crash when you’d mentioned it was an accident.”

  She shook her head. “Nope.”

  “What if I charter a jet? You can take something to calm your nerves and not deal with people.”

  Her sad eyes locked on mine. “It doesn’t matter what kind of plane. Three years ago, I tried to travel to Disney World with my sister and her family. I didn’t get past security before I started to hyperventilate. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

  I raked a hand through my hair. A night I’d thought might hold promise for a new start had gone to shit in moments. “Perhaps I can ring the board and explain the circumstances.”

  She was already shaking her head, apparently understanding that would not be feasible. “No. You won’t. It would only highlight a shortcoming. Let’s face it: I knew the promotion would be a long shot anyhow once my phobia came up.”

  “You knew the CFO had to travel sometimes. When, exactly, did you intend to tell me about your issue?”

  Her face heated with temper at my statement which unfortunately sounded a lot like an accusation.

  “How about when we sat down for the actual interview? How about then? Don’t go accusing me of withholding information. It’s not as if I should’ve spilled that info on our date or after we kissed. When I put my application in, I knew George was aware I didn’t fly. I was hoping he could make an exception for me when it came to travel. If possible, I could drive to the location. If driving wasn’t possible, then I could do a video conference. Then you came along last Monday, and my whole world has been upside down ever since. So if you’re implying I would’ve taken the job without informing you that I don’t fly, then you’re wrong.”

  “That was a rash thing for me to say.” I felt like shit for having opened my trap.

  The fight seemed to leave her. “Doesn’t matter. In a way, this takes the burden off. I’ll let George know tomorrow unless you’d rather tell him.”

  I absolutely hated the thought of her giving up. Instead of making things better, I’d made things worse. “But this is your career.”

  “My life means more to me than my career. I’m not flying. Period.”

  Although I empathized, I simply couldn’t fathom how she could give up like this. Guilt seeped in that I was to blame. If I hadn’t come to town to purchase the company, George probably would’ve made the exception for her. If I hadn’t changed her interview to New York, perhaps she’d still have stood a chance. But telling New York executives who traveled the world that you wanted a high-profile job without flying? It was impossible.

  Yet, I wanted to fix it. Needed to. “Don’t tell George or anyone else. Give me tomorrow.”

  “What’s the point?”

  “I need a day.”

  She remained unsure, which brought out a side of me I hadn’t accessed in years. Protective.

  I framed her face with my hands. “Peyton. I’m going to fix this.”

  She stepped away, looking defeated. “No. It’s better to have this out in the open. I’d been worried about it.”

  “Promise me you won’t say anything until I say so.”

  She hesitated but agreed. “Fine.”

  ***

  It wasn’t fine. I left her house frazzled. I didn’t do frazzled. I was a man who liked control. But at the moment, I had anything but. Instead, I was reeling with the idea I’d made things worse. Arriving back at the hotel, I called Emma and waited for her to knock on my door.

  The moment she came in, I blurted out what had happened at Peyton’s house. Her face showed her astonishment. “She won’t fly at all?”

  I shook my head. “Nope.”

  “Bloody hell.”

  Exactly. I had to tamp down the emotions of this evening else I let them cloud my judgment. I cared. Too much. And it was eating me up inside. I paced back and forth. Thinking out loud. “Technically, she could do the job without flying. But if she tells the board members, it’s doubtful they’d be understanding.”

  “Why would it come up? Not a typical interview question. Especially if she’s already traveled to be there.”

  “True. But I think she’d offer it up. She’s honest that way.” One of the many qualities I admired about her.

  “It’s none of their business. The company is local; what would she need to travel for?”

  “The new owner would be in New York.”

  “If she has enough notice, she could drive that distance. I don’t know how long it is, though. The US is bigger than I sometimes imagine.”

  I was hit with a ray of hope. “That’s it. She can drive.”

  Emma was already typing on her phone. “Jesus. It’s over twenty-three hours. And that’s one way without traffic.”

  I frowned. If the interview was Friday morning, she would have to leave Thursday morning. Early.

  “I have an idea.”

  ***

  By the next afternoon I had a plan. Emma had finalized its logistics this morning. Now all I had to do was convince Peyton.

  I found her in her office after lunch, on break from the final audit questions with Russ. At this point, the initial audit was done and the purchase was moving forward. There were only a few loose ends to tie up. Without a doubt, I knew she’d been a big part of the process moving smoothly so far.

  “Hi.” I knocked and watched her look up with her sexy glasses. I didn’t understand how it was possible I’d already missed someone I’d seen only last night, but I had. Just seeing her made me feel better.

  “Hello.”

  I shut her door and took a seat, leaning forward so I could level my gaze with hers. “I have a plan for your interview.”

  She shook her head. “I thought a lot about it last night, and I think this is a sign. A sign I shouldn’t take the job.”

  I didn’t believe in signs. The very notion was contrary to the ideal of working hard to attain something. “I won’t take no for an answer. Hear me out. Please.”

  She expelled an exasperated breath but didn’t stop me, so I continued.

  “You are the most qualified person. Hands down. Not only is Jeff a complete pompous arse, but he also doesn’t know what he’s doing. You’re smart, you care about your people, and the owner relies on you. Those are all traits you need for this position. As far as the travel, I think you’re right to assume that if the board knew up front you won’t fly, they might make a judgment about th
at. But in the age of video teleconferencing, there isn’t a reason you should actually need to travel all that often. Maybe once a year. With enough notice, you can take the time to plan out a drive.”

  Her expression was incredulous. “Drive to New York from Dallas? It’s gotta be, like, I don’t know—”

  “Twenty-three hours and sixteen minutes. Give or take.”

  “And you know that how?”

  I grinned. “Because we’re driving, starting Thursday morning. I’ll pick you up at four a.m. We’ll drive straight through.”

  “What? There’s no way.”

  “Sure there is. I have three drivers lined up about eight hours apart to take shifts. We’ll use a town car, which will allow you some sleep in the back if you want. Your interview will be in the afternoon. Theoretically, after we get in around five in the morning on Friday, you take a nap and then interview at three o’clock.”

  She simply stared at me in shock.

  “You have to do this. If for no other reason than to alleviate my guilt. Which I have to tell you is not an emotion I’m familiar with or loving at the moment.”

  “Why in the world would you feel guilty?”

  “Because we both know that without my boss buying the company, me taking you out on a date, or me switching this interview so I wouldn’t be the one doing it, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

  “That’s circumstances. Surely not your doing any more than mine.”

  “Maybe, but I refuse to accept the circumstances. Or think of it as a sign. Emma has it all lined up. Hopefully, you can get your sister to watch Cooper. We’d be back on Sunday night.”

  “We. You’re coming, too?”

  “I’d like to.” I wanted to have her in my condo. In my space. Hell, I simply wanted to spend time with her.

  “I’ll have to think about it.”

  I had to clamp down on my instant argument. Patience had never been my strong suit, and frankly speaking, I wanted an answer now because to me it was a no brainer. I wanted to respect her need for time, but I could already see the self-doubt churning in her mind.

  I stood up, walked around her desk, and pulled her up into my embrace. I didn’t think about the fact we were in her office in the middle of the afternoon. I simply needed to reassure her this was the best decision. “What is there to think about?”

  Her hands rested on my biceps with her body a mere inch from mine. It took everything in my power not to press her against the desk to mold her curves into me.

  “Wouldn’t people wonder where I was on Thursday?”

  “I’ll have Wi-Fi in the car. Besides, it’s customary to travel the day before you’re expected to be somewhere. You’ll be fine.”

  She licked her lips, the action almost causing me to groan aloud. “I haven’t interviewed in almost a decade. What if, despite all this effort, I fail? I’ll have to tell them I don’t fly, right?”

  I could see the sliver of insecurity and instantly wanted to shield her from it. “No, you don’t say a word about not flying. They won’t ask. As for the interview. They’re tough but fair. A hell of a lot easier to impress than I am.”

  “And are you. Impressed?”

  Now she was back to the sassy girl from the first time I’d met her. I tucked a strand of her hair back behind her ear, loving when she wore it down. “Come to New York with me and find out.”

  “You don’t like to take no for an answer, do you?”

  “Let’s just say it’s one of my quirks. I don’t have an affinity for the word unless I’m the one saying it.” Yes. I was a man who liked to get my way. But I was doing this for her. Because she deserved it and because I couldn’t stand how easily she’d give up on something for which she’d worked so hard.

  “I don’t want you to go to this much trouble.”

  “I wouldn’t go to this much trouble if I didn’t believe in you. If I didn’t think you were the most qualified person for the CFO position.” Although the argument could be made I’d never put in this kind of effort for any other person, and there was an indisputably a personal connection involved. But I absolutely stood by my words: she was the most capable candidate.

  A knock sounded, breaking us apart as suddenly as a thrown bucket of ice water would have.

  A woman sporting a very pregnant belly and unruly red hair peeked inside of the door. “Oh, sorry, you have comp—”

  “I was actually just leaving. Ms. Waters, thank you in advance for getting me those answers by the end of the day.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Peyton

  Simon’s ability to switch topics had been Oscar worthy, but I wasn’t able to recover easily from either his touch or his proclamation we’d drive to New York. Thankfully, Megan appeared a bit stunned, as well, by her first glimpse at him, judging from the priceless look on her face. Her eyes went as big as saucers while her mouth hung wide.

  As soon as he left, she shut the door and lowered herself into my visitor’s chair, fanning herself with her hand. “Holy. Fucking. Shit. I sincerely regret the day our forefathers chose to throw a tea party and secede from Britain because that guy is hot, and we would’ve done well to keep such men here.”

  I blew out a breath, thankful she hadn’t noticed how flushed my cheeks were or how off kilter I was. I could only respond with, “Yep.”

  I took my seat, trying to collect myself.

  “‘Yep’ is all you have to say for the finest looking man known to, well—man?”

  “He has made the audit interesting for sure. He’s not always easy to work with.” That was an understatement, considering Simon’s work persona versus his personal one. And then sometimes they collided like they had sixty seconds ago. I experienced whiplash.

  “Who the fuck cares? So he’s the get-naked, shhh-baby-don’t-talk, you’ll-ruin-for-me kind of guy.”

  Laughter bubbled up at her description. Although I was tempted to confide in my best friend at work about Simon, what would I say? If ever there was an example of ‘it’s complicated,’ this would be it. However, I knew she expected me to contribute to the conversation about a hot guy in the office, so I said, “That would be a shame, considering his accent.”

  She grinned. “True. So, other than needing to revise my list of free-pass men my husband would allow, what else should I be doing this afternoon?”

  I shook my head, knowing she and her husband adored one another and that the “list” talk was all a joke. At least she was bringing me back to normal.

  “First, your lists are reserved for celebrities. And second, I think I’m done with the audit stuff. I appreciate you covering the day to day this last week and getting me those reports.” I didn’t know what I would’ve done without her.

  “I think we could make an exception in order to fit him on my list. But the audit being over is good news. You still have your interview for CFO at the end of the week, right?”

  As I looked at my friend’s face and watched one of her hands smooth over her baby bump, I knew there was no way I could let her down. Especially when Simon had found a work around. At this point, if I said no to the drive and interview, I’d be disappointing them both.

  “Yes. It may be off-site. I’ll take Thursday off and interview on Friday.”

  “Considering all the hours you’ve been putting in, that would be good. Get yourself prepped.” Her voice went down to a whisper. “When do you think the news will hit?”

  “I don’t know.” Not that I could tell her if I did. Considering the interviews for CFO were being scheduled, however, it sounded as if the sale was imminent. This meant that if I didn’t get the promotion, come next week everything would be uncertain.

  “Here’s hoping I don’t have to quit because they promote the asshole, Jeff.”

  That made two of us.

  ***

  Who the hell showed up at four o’clock in the morning for a twenty-four-hour drive in a suit?

  Simon.

  I shouldn’t have been surprised. Befor
e leaving yesterday, I’d texted him my agreement, and he’d responded with a “you’re making the right decision.” Not a smiley emoji or a ‘good.’ He was so formal whereas I now wore yoga pants and a hoodie. All of my nice clothes were in a garment bag, and a small suitcase held everything else. I also had brought my pillow and a cozy throw.

  At least he didn’t have a tie on. I wondered if he even owned a pair of jeans. Still, it didn’t detract from the way I reacted when I laid eyes on him. I got butterflies. Despite it being zero-dark-thirty. He was an enigma from the norm, and I was about to embark on the next twenty-four hours with him. I was both excited and nervous as to what we were doing with this. With us. With the interviews.

  Back to the ‘it’s complicated.’

  He merely smiled, putting my blanket and pillow in the car for me. It was Thursday morning. Even with stops, we hoped to make New York by rush hour on Friday morning. My interview was set for three o’clock, hopefully giving me a chance to get a power nap in. However, if last night’s insomniac night full of nerves was any indication, I probably wouldn’t get much sleep.

  I introduced myself to the driver, whose name was Ralph, thanked him profusely, and took one last look at my house. At least Cooper’s sad face wasn’t in the window. In that case, I’d probably be a mess. My brother-in-law had picked him up last night, and I knew he was in good hands.

  But I remained irrationally emotional. I hadn’t left the state in fifteen years, so this was a much bigger deal than anyone else would suppose.

  “You ready?” Simon let me slide into the spacious black town car before he got in afterward.

  “Yep.” Ready as I would ever be.

  As if sensing my stress, he took a hold of my hand in the middle of the back seat. “You okay?”

  I nodded, forcing myself to take a deep breath. “As an adult, I’ve never been out of the state of Texas.” I imagined, to a world traveler like him, this would sound ridiculous.

  “Where did you go when you were younger?”

  “California when I was eight. Arizona once. We even went to the Caribbean when I was twelve. My dad didn’t get a lot of time off, but when he did, my mom would try to plan vacations.”