“Shit.”
“Yeah, shit,” she repeated. “But look on the bright side, if you fail, you can still work as a lawyer.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I won’t fail. I’ve never failed. And you’ve forgotten that I’ve been with the organization for several years. I’ve got a hell of a head start.”
He was right. And if she lost, it was okay. She doubted that she would become so attached to the hockey team in a few months that it would be painful to let it go. That didn’t mean she was going to give up from the get-go, like everyone expected.She wasn’t going to prove their assumptions right. She wasn’t the same woman she’d been five years ago. She had a goal. She would…forget what had happened then and move on.
“Well, if you’re so far ahead, you don’t have to worry at all,” she said easily before continuing with dripping sarcasm, “Because we both know that you always make a fantastic impression on people and get on generally well with colleagues. You’re nothing if not likable, friendly, and approachable. Not at all bossy or controlling, or a loner. I’m sure the General Manager already loves you. As does the entire PR team.”
Gareth’s expression darkened. “I forgot how mean you can be when you put your mind to it.”
She had to laugh. “You’re confusing mean with honest. But, Gareth…” She tilted her head uncertainly, “do you know how many friends and siblings fall out when it comes to business?”
“I have no idea, but I’m certain you can give me one or two statistics on that right now.”
She smiled. She could but wouldn’t. “What I’m saying is, promise me that business is business…but we’re still brother and sister outside of it?”
He smiled too, although it was a little pained. “If you promise not to hate me if I take the team away from you?”
“Never. But the same goes for if you go away empty-handed.”
“That’s not going to happen. You won’t last two weeks. You never do. That’s why you have three bachelor’s degrees and not a single master’s.”
“A degree is a degree — and getting a bachelor’s takes more than two weeks.” The difference was that this time she wanted to outlast someone specific.
“Yes, in your case, five years.”
“It took me five years to get my business degree,” she replied angrily. “But it doesn’t matter. Do we have a deal?” She raised her eyebrows and held out her hand.
“Fine,” he murmured and shook her hand. “I’ll let you tell Dad the good news though.”
“Because you have to go fire someone?” she asked tersely.
“No, because I might punch him if I see him again today,” he stated simply before turning and walking out the door.
Sighing, she watched him go and rubbed her arms. She just hoped their deal would hold up for the next few months.
As soon as the front door closed behind Gareth, the one at the other end of the atrium opened. Her mother sauntered toward her, craning her neck as if Penny was hiding her brother behind her back.
“Is Gareth gone?” she asked.
Penny nodded.
“So, you’re going to tell your father…?” She raised a single eyebrow.
“…we’re going to proceed exactly as he suggested.”
Sybil Clark opened her mouth in surprise. “Really? So, you want to play along with this silly game?”
“Play along?” she echoed, frowning. “I don’t understand.”
Her mother clicked her tongue. “Penelope, I’m begging you, we both know that Gareth is the more suitable candidate. You’ll play the game, but in the end, you will naturally step down voluntarily and leave it to your brother. An organization like that needs to be run rationally and with a firm hand. By someone with leadership qualities. And that is not you.”
Penny’s jaw clenched as she wrapped her arms more tightly around her torso. “Mom,” she said, forcing herself to be calm, “you have no idea what I am and what I’m not. I’m as smart as Gareth with just as sharp mind, and just as capable of being a leader.”
“I know you’re smart enough, honey,” she replied, astonished. “You just won’t be able to stay in one place for that long! Keeping a job. Adjusting. Focusing on one thing. Notgetting distracted by all the little things that are important to you, that you want to change and make better.”
“I’ve had the same job for the last five years!”
