That was the thought blaring in my aching head two minutes later as Celeste stood at the head of the conference room table, hands pressed to the hard surface. She let her gaze fall on each one of us. “Kids…I have news.”
A real wife would celebrate Lachlan’s birthday. So I needed to think like a real wife. I could take him out to dinner—just the two of us. That would be good for a photo op. We could even take the photo ourselves and post it online. To curate our own image.
Or I could just pick up dinner and bring it home. With a gift. What did one get a multimillionaire? A gaming chair that didn’t look like a prop hijacked from aStar Warsmovie?
Or.
I could throw Lachlan a party. Invite my family and give them another opportunity to see us together. But what could I arrange in three days?
“…And that is why I’ve gathered us back here tonight.”
Oh, no. Celeste was talking. And looking at me meaningfully.
Now she cruised around the table, running her hands across the backs of our corrugated chairs, like a grown-up version of duck-duck-goose. “After much thought I have decided to narrow the candidate list for the New York office position.”
That sobered me right up. I straightened in my uncomfortable seat and ran my tongue over my taffy-glazed teeth. My laptop flashed a calendar invite, but I slapped the lid down and gave Celeste my adoring, undivided attention. I wanted to be fully in the moment. Zen. Focused. Smelling of corn dogs.
Celeste paused at the opposite end of the table, her hand on Gunnar’s shoulder. “Kids, I’ve watched two candidates shine in the last week. Their midpoint goals have been met or exceeded. They’ve brought honor and praise to Flair. And they have demonstrated a commitment to their work and this company that sets them apart.”
I did eighty percent of your son’s science fair project. I grew mold in petri dishes for your second born.
If that wasn’t promotion-worthy commitment, then I’d like to know what was.
Celeste patted her dark hair as her red glossy lips eased into a rare smile. “While everyone here at Flair is a winner, these two are the best of the best, and this company wouldn’t be the same without them. I’d like to introduce the two finalists for the Manhattan office—Olivia Sutton—”
Yes! It’s me. I’m in! All that babysitting and taxi driving. All the weekends and nights and holidays I’ve worked. All the calls I’ve taken from Celeste during weddings, funerals, and dates. All the sleep I’ve lost and the tears I would’ve cried if I weren’t made of robot parts—all worth it. Celeste loves me. She values me. She said I was the best of the best. I’m going to New York, and nobody can stop me now.
“And Morgan Sanderson,” Celeste said.
Morgan.
Like a balloon popped midflight, the air left my body. My limbs slowly deflated as my spin in the celebratory clouds came to a halt, and I crashed back to reality.
Of course there were two of us.
Andof coursethe other person would be Morgan. But had Morgan bought Katarina her first training bra? No. Had she taught Alexander how to ask a girl to the middle school dance? No, she had not.Ihad.
I also had the one thing Morgan did not: Lachlan.
Tech titan. One ofNewsweek’s100 Entrepreneurs to Watch.
Next month he would attend his Hollywood premiere, and I would certainly accept my new promotion.
After a few minor announcements, Celeste dismissed the room, and I was soon surrounded by the well-wishes of my coworkers.
Elton high-fived me, then pulled me in for a hug. “I knew you could do it. New York City, here she comes.”
“Thank you.” I grinned like a woman who was weeks away from having it all.
“Group hug!” Morgan shuffled our way and threw her lanky arms around us. She held us like hugging was as difficult as assembling a piece of IKEA furniture. Did this piece go here? Did this have to take so long? Were there supposed to be extra parts?
I stepped out of the embrace and shook my competition’s hand. “Congratulations, Morgan. No matter who’s selected, she will be a winner.”
“Yes.” Morgan lifted her chin and set her shoulders. “I certainly will.”
ChapterThirty-Eight
OLIVIA
