She sighs and wraps her arm around my shoulder. “Are you going to hear him out?”

“He owes me answers, that’s for sure, but right now I don’t want to see his face.”

“I get that. I think you’re justified in a few punches to the junk.”

We both snicker. “I have to get ready.” I kiss her cheek and head into the bathroom.

“You’ll always have me!” she calls out.

“Oh, how lucky I am.”

“Damn right you are,” I hear her say as the door closes to my bedroom.

I take my time getting ready and put on a pink shift dress and white sandals. When I head out to the living room, Ashton’s keys are gone and there’s a note letting me know she wasn’t planning to come home, but if I need her, to call and she’ll be here. I love that girl.

Once in my office, I sit in my chair and look out the window, thinking about the mess my life has become once again. It’s a constant battle. And it’s exhausting and I’m tired of treading water—I want to float for a while. I ponder if this is what I need. Time alone—again. I look out and my mind drifts to Jackson. My heart clenches as my mind allows me to see him again right before I left him. I see the way his eyes held sorrow and he was desperate for me to listen to him. The pain we both were suffering in that moment. I replay it all as a tear drifts down my cheek.

“Catherine.”

I spin in my chair as I turn to see my boss standing there. “Mr. Cartright. I thought you were away.” I quickly swipe the tear and stand up as he enters the office.

“One day you’ll remember to stop with the ‘Mr.’ bullshit.” He slaps his hand on the doorframe and his face falls. “Meet us in the conference room in five.”

“Yes, sir.”

Without another word he strides out of the office.

Fuck my life.

Did he see me stumble on camera? Does he know I left the party early? Did Jackson call and complain? He sure as hell didn’t look happy to call me into the conference room. I grab my compact and fix my face as best as I can and head down the hall.

“Good luck, Cat,” I hear Elle’s shrill voice say as I pass her desk.

“Thanks.” I smile and keep walking. I don’t have enough patience for a verbal chess match with her today.

The conference room hosts the three partners of CJJ, the head of human resources, and the director of client relations. Well, this doesn’t feel promising. My stomach rolls as the fear starts to travel through my body. Keep calm, I try to tell myself, but no one is smiling. I clear my throat and enter as they look up.

“Good morning, Cat. Please have a seat,” Mr. Jennings says and motions to the chair.

Mr. Jennings is the oldest of the three partners. He’s barely in the office anymore and when he is, everyone walks around not speaking. I’ve only dealt with him a handful of times, but he’s always been cordial.

“Thank you.”

I smile looking around the room and everyone’s emotions are well hidden. I can’t get a feel on what exactly is going on.

“Let’s get to it, Catherine,” Mr. Cartright begins. “The board has been talking and we’re very impressed with how you were able to secure the Raven account. More than that, when we reached out to Mr. Cole, he had a lot to say regarding your work with the company.” Mr. Cartright pauses and my heart stops beating.

He wouldn’t.

Would he? Would he really hurt me this way? Ruin my reputation regarding work?

“Anyway,” he continues breaking me from my inner meltdown, “He told us how you nailed down every aspect of the campaign and made sure everything was taken care of. You were on top of the press and the stock regarding his company during his life threatening shooting. He was impressed, and so are we.” When he stops speaking, the partners smile at each other.

“Thank you. I’m happy the client was pleased,” I say softly wishing he was still more than my client.

“The company is taking a new direction, and we’re opening several satellite offices in the coming year.”

“Wow. That’s wonderful for the company.”

“We think so too,” Mr. Jeffries speaks for the first time. “Catherine, we want you to head up one of the offices. You’ve been instrumental to our growth and we think you’d be the perfect candidate for the new office in California.”

“Oh!” I say, completely thrown off guard. Run an office? In California? “I don’t know what to say.” I let out a nervous laugh and look around. Talk about a curve ball.

“Well, there’s a first,” Mr. Cartright jokes and it helps ease the tension.

We spend the next thirty minutes going over the details of the new position and the generous pay increase. Ultimately, I would run the entire office and be able to take any of the staff I want from New York for support personnel or I can start fresh out there. The perks are great, and they’re willing to supply me with a furnished apartment for six months until I find somewhere else or take over the lease.

I start to think of all the reasons I should go and all the reasons not to. They look at me expectantly and I begin to panic. My heart and my head are at war and the reality is I don’t know why. “Do you need an answer today or can I have a day or two?”

Mr. Cartright nods with a smile. “We’d like an answer by the beginning of next week. There are a lot of things that need to happen and we would like to get the ball rolling quickly. Do you think that’ll be a problem?”

“No, not at all.” They stand and I follow suit. “I want to thank you all for this opportunity. I’m honored and will have an answer to you by Tuesday.”

Mr. Jeffries is the first to shake my hand. “Think about it, Cat.”

“I will.”

Mr. Jennings smiles and exits the room, followed by the rest of the team. I lean against the table and let out a long breath. Wow. My mind is spinning. Everything I’ve worked for just came through. All my dreams of being an executive and now here it is.

“I fought hard for you,” Mr. Cartright says behind me, startling me a little.

When I started at CJJ, I was his intern. He guided me through the first few years and has always been my biggest supporter. “You’ve always had favorites.” I smile the first genuine smile in days.

“No, but I know quality. You were made for this position. You’re not married, no kids, I thought I was going to have to look for flights leaving today, not hold off. What gives?” he questions.

I sigh and look away from him. “It’s a big move.”

He smiles letting me know he doesn’t quite believe me, but he doesn’t probe further. “Sure it is.” He clears his throat and raises his brow. “You haven’t been the same for a few months.”

“Life has been crazy,” I reply.

“What’s his name?” he asks suddenly.

“Mr.— ” I start but he cuts me off with a wave of the hand.

“I swear if you call me ‘Mr. Cartright’ I’m going to throw something at you,” he jokes.

“Sorry. Sean, it’s a fantastic opportunity. But it’s clear across the country. I need a day or two to digest it,” I explain.