Dani threw herself into her work. If there was one area where she was confident, then it was here. And what better way to prep for that promotion than to throw in a few extra hours?
Besides, if she tired herself out, she didn’t have to think about what a lying, cheating bastard Zack Kincaid was. She didn’t have time to concentrate on how much her heart hurt and why she couldn’t understand how she’d read him so wrong. Because he’d never come across as someone who had a wife at home or like he was sneaking around behind someone’s back. Then again, her own parents had fooled her for eighteen years too, so maybe she was just a terrible judge.
She erased all those questions from her mind. It didn’t matter. Facts were facts, and those had been established.
No point in crying over spilt milk. The damage was already done. She gave herself the pep talk at the same time as she brushed away yet another tear; one more to add to the sea she’d already cried along with all those other platitudes she’d quoted to herself.
Plenty more fish in the sea.
Narrow escape.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
Blessings in disguise.
Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. She wasn’t sure if she believed that one yet.
It didn’t matter though, she told herself with absolute determination. It just meant she had more time to dedicate to her job. She was going to need it once she got this promotion, because there was going to be a huge amount to do to launch the new marketing plan she was putting to the board this afternoon. It was the most ambitious proposal she’d ever delivered, but she was confident it was also ingenious and would set their top line at an all-time high. But it was complicated, so she’d be needing all that extra time to put it into action. If she told herself that enough, she might start believing it. Besides, hadn’t she always told herself men were bad news. Better all around to keep it to just sex.
So, she dried her eyes, touched up her make-up and dived into her presentation with the plan to knock their socks off.
And she did.
Even Zio Lorenzo was impressed, and he was always a hard sell.
“Ah! Daniella. This is truly inspired,” he congratulated, and Dani could feel his faith in her filling up all the empty places Zack’s departure had left.
She was going to be fine.
There was a babble around the room as the board members commented and complimented her, and all of it buoyed her and filled Dani with a new hope for the future.
Luca got up from his seat, right in front of everyone, and gave her a hug; told her what a brilliant job she had done.
Everything was going to be alright.
Lorenzo started talking again, and everyone settled down. “While we’re all here, this seems like the most opportune time to announce the promotions I promised.”
Dani’s heart soared. This was it. Everything she’d ever worked for. She’d delivered a presentation that had impressed everyone, and now she was going to get her reward.
She didn’t need Zack Kincaid. She didn’t need any man. She had all she needed right here.
Everything was going to be perfect.
Lorenzo announced a couple of the minor roles, and there was muted applause with each one. Then it was time for hers. She held her breath, almost unable to contain her excitement. She felt like she might burst, but that would have to come later. Right now, she needed to behave like the consummate professional she was.
“And finally, I’d like to announce the promotion for the position of Promotions Director.”
There was a hushed silence around the room. It was the first time a directorship had become available in all the years Dani had been working here, and that was over a decade. Well, not unless you counted Luca’s, but that had been a made-up post, because he was the owner’s son and future heir. There wasn’t likely to be another coming up anytime soon.
“As I’m sure you’re all aware, this is a very important and prominent position, so I’ve given it a great deal of thought.” Lorenzo droned on, and Dani wished he’d just get on with it. She hated all this suspense.
“I’m sure you’ll all agree that the best person for the job is…”
He paused, smiling from ear to ear, milking the build-up before he announced, with a flourish.
“Justin James.”
There was a muted, almost awkward scatter of applause as the man in question popped up and pumped her uncle’s hand.
