Page 3 of Dance with Me on New Year's Eve
I saw the tiniest muscle flex in his square jaw before he spoke again. It was basically the only sign of emotion his face ever showed, besides his usual frown. I’d certainly heard the frustration and arrogance in his voice a million times. Usually directed at me though.
“I’m not sure I can fit in both—” he started.
“Oh, I already talked to Mari about it. She’s cool with the plan.” Hazel smiled and took a sip of water, as though she hadn’t just delivered the worst news.
“The …plan? I—we—” I sputtered and looked at Jeff helplessly. “We can’t—”
“What Roxanne is ineptly trying to say is that this wouldnever work. And for once, I agree with her.”
Silence settled over the table as we both stared defiantly at Hazel. Well, Jeff did anyway. I probably looked frightened and meek.
She stared at us with a blank expression before a small smile teased the corner of her mouth. “Why not? You are both very capable and focused, and you’ll have an ample budget to hire contractors.”
I took a deep breath to summon my dignity. “With all due respect, Hazel, I’m not as capable as you think. I—”
Jeff scoffed but didn’t look in my direction. “It has nothing to do with capability, and you know it.”
“Then what is it?” Her eyes held a challenge, and I had a sinking feeling that my boss wasn’t going to give up easily. She never did. It was something I admired about her. Most days. Not today.
I swallowed with some effort, trying to think of a professional way to say that Jeff and I … well, we hated each other. “Hazel, I genuinely care about you and your career. I’m only concerned about the future of the project if I’m working with him. I want the best for you, and I … well, you see …” I looked at Jeff, who was peering at me with an unreadable expression, as always. “We wouldn’t …hewouldn’t—”
“Speak for yourself, Roxanne,” he said curtly as he turned back to Hazel and sighed audibly. “I accept the role. It’s business, not personal. If she’s not up to the task, that’s fine. Better, even. I can handle it myself and hire out when needed. I am perfectly capable of working successfully with anyone. It’s called being a professional,” he added with a side glance at me.
The ire rose suddenly within me, replacing the anxiety of a moment ago, and I almost stood up in protest. Hazel looked as though she was about to speak—hopefully to defend me—but then paused, eyeing me with interest.
I attempted to calm my rapid breathing, trying to ignore the sweat beading on my forehead and in many other places beneath my starchy blue business suit, which I obviouslyregretted wearing. I turned to Jeff, my voice shaking as I said, “Your unkind implication isn’t professional at all,Jeffrey.” I glanced over at my boss, who’d made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a choked laugh. “Hazel, I’m definitely up for a challenge. I do wonder, though, if hiring a more experienced project manager might be helpful. I could be very successful working with someone whose background and skills complement my own. Jeff could just … do the bookkeeping or whatever it is he does.”
I couldn’t believe my mouth was producing all these words, like I was possessed. By indignation, I suppose. I was pretty sure every inch of my skin was covered in sweat now and flushed blotchy red from exertion—not to mention the itchy suit—but for once, I didn’t care. Ihadto put Jeff in his place and try by any means necessary to escape Hazel’s awful idea that we’d be able to work together. I looked at her with pleading eyes while attempting a wobbly smile.
She merely sighed. “You’re both perfectly capable. Jeff’s expertise and experience combined with yours … it will be great, Rox, and Ineedthis to be great. If you can learn to get along. So far, I see no evidence that you’ve even tried. You seemed to dislike each other from the moment you were introduced years ago, and you’ve made zero effort to get along since then. Am I right?”
My mouth couldn’t manage to form any words, and Hazel looked exasperated as she turned to him. “Jeff?”
For once, he didn’t seem to have a response at first and slowly rubbed the sleeve of his shirt. Finally, he said, “As you wish, Hazel. I will call Mariana after this to discuss an interim solution for handling my resort finance responsibilities. I’ll submit the proposed project plans to you within two weeks.”
“You meanwewill submit the plans, right?” I said, nearly breathless from irritation and overexertion.
Who am I right now?
I never exerted myself this much in conversations. Never. But I couldn’t let his swipes at me go unanswered.
He merely crossed his arms and eyed me as his jaw clenched.
“Jeff, I get it,” Hazel said, her tone soothing. “You like working alone, and your collaboration skills—”
“My skills are just fine, Hazel,” he barked.
She shook her head slightly. “I was going to say that your collaboration skills might be a bit rusty, but I have every confidence you’ll rise to meet the challenge.”
I couldn’t resist a smirk as I glanced at him sitting there even more rigid than usual. It was exhilarating to see him taken down a peg.
“The good news is, Roxy is in a similar boat.” She turned to me and patted my hand resting on the table. “You have so much talent and skill, but you’re used to working alone a lot. Or only with me.”
“That’s the way I like it.” The words rushed out before I realized I probably wasn’t selling myself as someone who could meet this challenge. And normally, I wouldn’twantto. But seeing the challenge in Jeff’s eyes …
Oh yes, I would meet this challenge. “Don’t worry, Hazel.” My voice was shaky, but I was too incensed to feel embarrassed. “I’m going to do an amazing job for you. You deserve to see your vision become a success.”
She smiled warmly. “Thank you. Both of you. Where is our food? I’m famished.” Then she laughed in a peculiar way that made me nervous. “By the way, I’d like to open the center by the end of the year. Nine months might be challenging, but I’m sure you can handle it, right?”
