“Great!” Lisa retrieved the fallen file jacket and papers from the carpeted floor. “They’re probably going over the schedule for the move.”
“I don’t think so. They brought along a team of counselors from Duran and Associates.”
“What?” Lisa straightened.
Oh-oh. Duran and Associates provided free assistance to Bahler & Bahler employees for mental health, addiction and work/life issues. To have a team of their people on hand suggested something critical had happened and management was about to break the news to everyone.
“Thanks, Millie. Keep me posted.”
She hung up, but her hand was still clutching the phone when it rang again. The caller ID showed C. Madison, the executive director’s assistant. Her hand shook as she picked it up. “This is Lisa. How may I help you, Carrie?”
“Mr. Poole would like to see you right away.” Carrie’s usual cheerful voice sounded strained, as though she was under a great deal of pressure. “He’s in the conference room.”
Lisa’s heart began to slam in her chest. “I—I’ll be right there.”
Why do they want to see me? What the heck is going on?
She left her office, passed the reception area and walked around the corner to the conference room. Mr. Poole, the executive director, sat at the long, oval conference table with the two executives from the Palm Beach office. His chiseled face looked ashen. She walked in and shut the door behind her.
“Have a seat, Lisa,” he said, sounding friendly, but nervous.
She pulled out a chair and sat down opposite the three men.
Mr. Poole cleared his throat. “The reason we’ve called you into this meeting is to inform you that this office is being closed. As of today, your employment is terminated.”
Her jaw dropped. “Are you saying I’m fired?”
One of the executives, a dark-haired man, fortyish, wearing a black suit and red silk tie spoke up. “You’re being laid off.” He glanced at the open file in front of him. “Along with your last paycheck, you’ll be compensated for the remainder of your unused vacation and given a week of severance pay for each year of service with the company.”
“Yes, but—”
He looked up. “If you feel you need to speak with a counselor, we have a team on the premises to assist you. If not, you’ll go straight to HR to conduct your exit interview and to sign the necessary paperwork. Then you’ll clean out your office and leave.” He gave her a cold smile. “Do you have any questions?”
She blinked, barely able to think much less speak. She’d worked for this company for ten years. How could they do this to her?
“You told us a year ago that no one would lose their jobs. You said the merger would simply combine the two offices.”
You lied to us—to all of us. You allowed us to believe our jobs were safe so we’d all keep working until the end; until you didn’t need us any longer...
“I’m not at liberty to address that issue. So,” he said curtly and flipped the file closed, “I believe we’re finished here. You’re excused, Ms. Kaye. HR is expecting you.”
Mr. Poole stood and extended his hand. “Thank you, Lisa, for all of your years of service. You did a great job.” His cold, clammy palm grasped hers. “If you need a reference for your next position, feel free to list my name on your application.”
She stood, nearly overcome with empathy for him. She only had to go through this once. He had to repeat the same scenario with every one of his employees—all one hundred and fifty. “Thank you, Mr. Poole. You’re more than kind.” Then she walked out, so numb she could barely find her way to the Human Resources Department.
On the way back from her interview in HR, she passed the reception area. Millie sat covering her face with her hands, sobbing. After comforting Millie, she approached the women in her department, confirming the news that had already spread through the office faster than a speeding bullet. They were all losing their jobs...
A stack of foldable cartons leaned against the wall outside her office. Lisa dragged a couple inside her space and began to sift through ten years of memories of her career at Bahler & Bahler. She had finished packing the last box when her cell phone chirped. Fishing it out of her purse, she read on the screen that Rob had sent her a text. She wanted to talk to him directly, but he traveled extensively for his job as a pharmaceutical rep and often had last-minute meetings that kept him too busy to call.
Must cancel dinner tonight. Emergency meeting. Rob
Her heart sunk as she read his message. What else could go wrong today?
“Hey, Barb,” she said as she walked out of her office and peered over the top of the closest cubicle. “Millie told me you’re getting a group together to meet in the bar across the street for lunch. Count me in.”
****
Later that afternoon, Lisa walked into her living room and collapsed on the sofa. What an exhausting day! The stress and emotion caused by the layoff had drained her energy. She’d spent the morning closing down her office, packing up her personal items and hauling everything out to her car. The wine at lunch had soothed her nerves, but now she didn’t have enough energy to haul her boxes into the house.
Her cell phone rang. Hoping Rob had found time to call, she scrambled to dig it out of her purse. Instead, the caller turned out to be a good friend.
“Hi, Terri,” she said as she stretched out on her powder blue sofa and slung one arm over her eyes.
“What’s the matter, Lisa? You sound depressed.” Terri Barna’s usual perky voice sounded apprehensive. Elevator music and a cacophony of voices echoed in the background of the department store where Terri worked as a general manager.
“It’s Monday and I have a headache,” Lisa replied with a loud yawn, purposely avoiding the subject of her current employment situation. “I mean, it’s tough to get back into the usual routine after a great vacation.” Especially after you’ve been given a pink slip and drowned your sorrows in wine. “Are you calling me from work?”
“Hold on a second,” Terri said and covered the receiver with her hand as she spoke to someone. “Okay, I’m back. Sorry for the interruption. Yes, I’m working, but I’ve got tonight off and I don’t want to spend it watching television. If you’re not busy, would you like to meet me for dinner and a movie? There’s a romantic comedy called Falling in Love in L.A. playing at the Rialto. We could catch the early show and have spaghetti afterward at that quaint little restaurant across the street.”
“It’s called Botticelli’s. Rob and I used to go there for brunch every Sunday.” Lisa groaned silently, her arm still draped over her eyes. She didn’t feel like going anywhere, but she did want to see that movie. It had received great reviews.
Maybe I should hang out with Terri tonight. This hasn’t been the best of days and I could use some cheering up...
“Okay,” she said with a sigh, “do you want to meet in front of the theater?”
“Sure,” Terri replied. “I can be there by five-thirty. Bring your umbrella. It’s supposed to rain.”
“See you then. Bye.”
Lisa had just enough time to freshen up and drive across town to the theater.
Terri waited in front of the box office under a hot pink umbrella, wearing violet leggings and a matching hip-length tunic. “I can smell the aroma of freshly popped corn all the way out here,” she said as Lisa hurried toward her. “Come on—let’s buy our tickets so we can get some before the movie starts.”
After the movie, they dashed across the street to Botticelli’s Italian Restaurant for pasta and garlic toast. The small, family-owned establishment hadn’t changed in years, but its old-world charm and southern Italian red sauce dishes had withstood the test of time. Lisa and Terri walked into a crowded, softly lit dining room decorated with hand-painted murals, white linen tablecloths and a polished mahogany bar. Classic Italian folk music and the pungent aroma of spicy sausage saturated the air.
As they waited for the host to seat them, Lisa casually glanced across the
room, checking to see if the table she and Rob usually requested was available. At first, she blinked, not quite believing what she saw. Once she realized her eyes weren’t deceiving her, her emotions went into a tailspin.
Tucked in a corner on the other side of the room, Rob relaxed at a table for two. Though he had his back to Lisa, she recognized his dark, curly hair brushing the collar of his pine green sport jacket. She’d seen that jacket on him many times and knew it well—she’d given it to him on his birthday. When he turned his head, she saw his profile and her heart fell to her feet.
He sat facing a beautiful blonde in a black sequined dress with sparkling jewelry. Lisa stared in shock, watching the woman gaze into Rob’s eyes, her outstretched hands on the table intertwined with his. The way she communicated to him without words indicated she shared more than friendship with him. She knew him intimately.
He lied to me. He called off our evening to spend it with her...
Suddenly, everything he’d ever said to her came into question—every time he’d had to cancel at the last minute, his refusal to sell his condo and find a place together, every weekend he supposedly had to work...
“What’s the matter, Lisa?” Terri frowned. “What are you gawking at?”
“Look at the couple in the corner, next to the mural of Venice.”
Terri went silent at first then gasped as she took in the scene. “Isn’t that Rob? Who is that woman with him?”
“Her name is Meredith Kramer.” Lisa stared helplessly, her mind numbed for the second time today. “I met her a couple months ago at a party. Her father owns the company where Rob works.”
Rob and Meredith suddenly rose from the table. Holding hands, they made their way through the crowded room toward the exit. Their server followed them. The young man held up the check presenter, indicating his gratitude for a generous gratuity. “Thank you and have a nice evening. Congratulations, both of you, on your engagement!”
Lisa and Terri both heard the server and stared at each other in surprise.
He’s engaged to Meredith Kramer? When did that happen—while I was in Enchanted Island?
Rob didn’t deserve to get away with this. She wanted to confront him right now, but she knew that if she did, it wouldn’t change anything except to further humiliate her. Instead of staging a nasty scene, she walked into the ladies’ room to avoid them.
Terri burst into the small room after her and grabbed her by the shoulders. “What are you doing in here? Get out there and give that cheating dog a piece of your mind!”
Lisa pushed the door shut and fell against it, her hands clenched at her sides. “What I’d love to do is dump a plate of spaghetti on his head! He’s been cheating on me for months!”
“Then go out there and do it! You’re not going to let him get away with this, are you?”
“It would be good entertainment for everyone, but I just might end up in the back of a squad car when the management calls 9-1-1.” Lisa shook her head and released a wry laugh. “He’s not worth losing my dignity in front of everyone—especially his fiancée.”
Terri threw her hands in the air in frustration. “At least go out there and show him your face!”
Lisa grabbed the door handle and swung it open, wondering what his reaction would be when he saw her.
But Rob and Meredith were already at the front entrance. Rob stopped at the door and gazed lovingly into his fiancée’s eyes then dipped his head and kissed her gently on the lips. He pushed open the door and escorted Meredith outside.
Lisa’s eyes filled with tears. Never had she felt so lonely and alone than at this moment.
“Come on, let’s go.” Terri put her arm around Lisa and guided her out of the restaurant. “Never mind dinner, we’re going to the bar.”
They walked through the misty rain to a small piano lounge, two blocks away and sat on a sofa by the crackling fireplace drinking glasses of Chianti. Lisa opened up to Terri about losing her job.
“Gosh, one week you’re having the time of your life on vacation and the next week your life turns totally upside down.” Terri held up her glass to signal to the cocktail server for another round. “What are you going to do?”
I need a new adventure, Lisa thought, anxious to return to the most memorable place of her childhood. She remembered the crazy message she’d stuffed in the antique bottle and tossed into the bay three days ago. It didn’t seem so unrealistic anymore. She’d always wanted to be that carefree, audacious girl, but the demands of life had constantly gotten in the way. What would it be like to live year-round on a beautiful Caribbean island? She didn’t have a clue, but she was about to find out.
“Something I would never have considered a week ago.” Lisa stared at the orange flames in the small, but cozy fireplace. “I’m going to put my townhouse up for sale and move to Enchanted Island to manage my Aunt Elsie’s B&B.”
Chapter Three
Miami, Florida
Fifteen Months Later - The Month of October
Shawn Wells walked into the lobby of the Hibiscus Hotel at 8 am, bracing himself for a meeting with his father. His assistant had called him on his way to work and given him the bad news. Wyndom Wells, CEO of the Wells Hotel Corporation had arrived earlier than expected and already had the staff in an uproar with his unrealistic demands and imperious manner. Wyn lived in New York City and only paid Shawn a visit when he had something to say that he didn’t want to handle over the phone. Shawn wondered what had happened to get his father worked up this time.
The elderly doorman wearing a black suit and top hat greeted Shawn with a smile. “Good morning, Mr. Wells. How was your vacation? I saw your pictures on Facebook.”
“Terrific, Joseph,” Shawn replied with a nod. “The weather in Israel was beautiful.”
Joseph smiled, revealing a space between his front teeth as he opened the door for Shawn. “You have a wonderful day now.”
“You, too.” Things will definitely improve as soon as I find out what my father has up his sleeve.
He passed through the double set of entrance doors into the two-story marble and glass lobby, tensing from the stress steadily building within him. His assistant, Lucia Perez, stood waiting for him with her trusty clipboard in hand; her oversized black-rimmed glasses were perched on the end of her nose as she studied Shawn’s itinerary for the day.
“Good morning, Shawn, and welcome back,” she said with a Cuban accent. Her navy suit, flat shoes and black hair twisted into a bun at the nape of her neck mirrored the serious attitude she maintained on the job. “You have a busy schedule today.” She flipped through the pages attached to her clipboard, scribbling notes as they walked to the elevators. “I set the meeting with your father for nine o’clock to give you some time to clean up your desk and skim over your emails.” She let out a frustrated huff. “But, as I told you on the phone, he showed up twenty minutes ago and is having a fit because you’re not here yet. I’ve ordered the chef to send coffee, rolls and fruit to your office immediately.”
Her slender finger slid down the page. “You have a two-hour staff meeting with your managers at ten—” She looked up from her schedule, tapping her chin with her pen. “That’s assuming your father is finished with you by then. If not, I’ll have to adjust everything accordingly.” They reached the elevator bank. The doors to the closest elevator opened and Shawn held the door for Lucia to enter first. “Oh, and I made a reservation for noon at Aridell’s for your luncheon with Brittany...”
The rest of Lucia’s words faded into a blur as Shawn stepped into the elevator and focused his thoughts on his fiancée, Brittany Stone. Brittany had thrown a tantrum of biblical proportions when she found out he’d signed up for another dig on the outskirts of Jerusalem. She hated getting her hands dirty. For that matter, she hated anything that involved dirt and sweating, so asking her to accompany him on a volunteer gig had been definitely out of the question. Brittany’s vision of the ideal vacation involved a fruity cocktail under an umbrella on a tr
opical beach somewhere and she couldn’t understand why he pursued such a gritty hobby at a time when he should be relaxing. She’d refused to go—as usual—and had accused him of loving it more than her.
He stepped off the elevator on the second floor, parting company with Lucia and walked the short distance to his office suite, wondering what Wyn wanted this time. Hopefully, his father had good news about the construction of their newest hotel on the strip in Las Vegas.
Wyn sat behind Shawn’s desk, riffling through his papers, looking thinner, strained and definitely grayer than the last time Shawn saw him. Since the death of Shawn’s mother, Wyn’s health had been steadily declining. His testy disposition hadn’t changed, though.
Watching his father tear apart his neatly organized files frayed his nerves. “Looking for something, Dad?”
Wyn glanced up, his ice blue eyes appraising Shawn’s appearance. “You’re tanned. You must have spent a lot of time sightseeing in Greece.”
Shawn stopped in front of his desk and stared at the mess Wyn had made of his paperwork. “I went to Israel on an archaeological dig.”
Wyn shrugged, his bored expression suggesting Shawn’s archaeological escapades were of minor importance. It irritated Shawn to no end how little attention his father gave to anything that didn’t involve the family business. “Are you ready to get back to work?”
“What are you saying?” Shawn perked up. Construction on the Desert Indigo Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas was nearing completion when he left on vacation. “Are the decorators getting ready to start on the interior of the Indigo? I need to fly out there and begin planning the grand opening!”
Wyn shoved a couple papers back into its folder. “The target date for the soft opening is a month from today. Your brother has been in Las Vegas for several weeks, supervising the decorating and working with our PR agency to organize the grand opening.”
“What?” He couldn’t believe it. Wyn had purposely left him out of the final stage. “Why is Ian opening the Desert Indigo? You told me that was my hotel. I’m the one who is supposed to manage it!”
Lisa (Beach Brides Book 6) Page 2
