Your Room or Mine?

Ten

At one o’clock Monday afternoon, Gavin entered Jack’s office. “Got a minute?” he asked.

“Sure. Have a seat,” Jack said, indicating the chair opposite his desk.

Jack set aside the report he’d been reading and pulled in a bracing breath. His gut was telling him this impromptu meeting was about downsizing his department.

Gavin sat then lifted a manila folder from the top of the pile he carried. “I’ve spent the morning going over this report from Madeline Price. It’s based on her observations of your department and includes detailed notes, most recently from the team building over the weekend.”

Gavin leaned back in his chair. “I’ll cut right to the chase, Jack. You need to downsize the department, from twenty to fifteen. You have two weeks to make the cuts. If you need suggestions as to who is to go”-he tapped the folder containing Maddie’s report-“I’m happy to name names.”

For several long seconds silence swelled between them. Jack’s gaze fell on the folder and a feeling such as he’d never experienced before surged through him. A combination of anger, disgust, frustration, and betrayal all swirled with an overwhelming sense of numbness. He’d thought she’d understood-that he’d made her see reason. That she’d value and respect his opinion. Obviously he’d been mistaken. Very mistaken.

“We’ve discussed this before, Gavin,” Jack said, his voice perfectly calm. “I feel very strongly that this is the wrong course of action. A course that’s going to make my job, and my department’s, extremely difficult. We simply can’t operate effectively with a twenty-five percent cut in manpower. You haven’t given me or my staff enough time to pull everything together. We’re getting there, we’ve made great strides in a short period of time, but time is what we need more of.”

Gavin shook his head. “Sorry, Jack. This needs to be done.”

“You brought me on board to revamp a decimated department, and just when things are starting to come together, you’re cutting me off at the knees.”

Gavin rose, indicating their meeting was finished. “Two weeks, Jack.”

Jack stood. Then nodded. “All right, two weeks. Consider this my official notice. You’ll have the letter on your desk by the end of the day.”

Gavin’s brows rose, then he gave a hearty laugh. “I know you don’t mean that.”

“I assure you I do.”

“I’m aware you don’t like this, Jack, none of us do, but it’s got to be done. I’m late for a meeting. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Jack watched in silence as Gavin left the office. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there while his anger and resentment and, damn it, hurt grew. But it finally reached the point where he couldn’t stand still any longer. It needed an outlet, and he knew exactly who to let it loose on.

He stalked from his office and headed down the hallway, not slowing his pace until he stood outside the small office that had been assigned to Maddie. The door was open and he strode inside, not bothering to announce himself.

She stood with her back to him, crouching next to a cardboard box into which she was placing a stack of papers. It was the first time he’d seen her since they’d departed Casa di Lago yesterday afternoon. And about the thousandth time he’d thought of her. Up until his meeting with Gavin, all those thoughts had been of missing her. Wanting more of her. Hoping she’d tell him she wanted to continue the magic and something special they’d started at the resort. Now he couldn’t feel any of that for the knife protruding from his back.

“We need to talk,” he said, closing the door.

She stood and turned. Her hair was pulled tightly back, her glasses framed her eyes, and a prim royal blue suit conservatively downplayed her figure. In spite of his anger, he wanted nothing more than to yank her into his arms and kiss her until they were both breathless. Pretend nothing existed except him and her. Pretend she hadn’t written that damn report. Damn it, she’d gotten under his skin, and that only served to fuel his anger more. Her serious expression erased any doubt that she knew why he was there.

“Yes, I guess we do need to talk,” she said. “Would you like to sit down?”

“No.” His voice was steady but cold, which pretty much matched his mood since his insides felt frozen. “Are you pleased with yourself?”

Her brows pulled down. “Pleased?” She pushed up her glasses and peered at him. “Is something wrong?”

A bitter laugh escaped him. “An odd question coming from you. You knew very well what my hopes were for my position here, for my department, yet you stand there and ask me if something’s wrong.” The chill in his tone sliced through the room. “What did you think would be the outcome of the report you gave Gavin?”

She blinked, then her frown deepened. “Jack, I-”

“Gavin expects me to cut my department by twenty-five percent-although I’m sure you probably knew that already.”

Something that looked like regret flickered in her eyes. “Actually, no. I didn’t know.”

“Well, now you do. And we have your report to thank. Congratulations.”

Anger flared in her eyes. “If you think my report had anything to do with this, you’re mistaken.”

“Your report had everything to do with it, as you damn well know. Did you not hear a word I said to you at breakfast yesterday morning?”

“I heard everything you said at breakfast yesterday morning.”

“But clearly it didn’t make any difference to you. Which I guess means nothing that happened between us made any difference to you.”

A myriad of emotions flashed across her face, too fast for him to decipher, but there was no mistaking the twin red flags that colored her cheeks. “You’ve come into my office, unannounced and uninvited, and tossed some pretty harsh words at me. And based on what you’re saying, it’s just occurred to me… oh. Oh my God.” She pulled in a harsh breath and pressed her hand against her chest. The color that had just rushed into her cheeks drained, leaving her pale. “My God. Did you sleep with me in order to influence my report? To make it favorable to your point of view? So I wouldn’t recommend downsizing your department?”

Her question so surprised him that for several seconds he couldn’t even speak. Then a hurt and anger such as he hadn’t felt in a long time, if ever, walloped him. A muscle ticked in his jaw. “That’s what you think?”

“That’s what I’m asking.”

“If that’s what you’re asking, then this conversation is over.”

“Fine by me. I’m not the one who initiated it.” She nodded toward the door. “If you’ll kindly leave, I’m busy.”

“Leaving. Not just your office, but Java Heaven. I gave Gavin my two weeks’ notice.” He opened the door and walked out without looking back. He didn’t want to see her reaction to the news. Didn’t want to hear anything else she had to say.

He strode to his office, feeling as if he were walking through a thick fog. Damn it, he felt… gutted. In a matter of mere minutes he’d resigned from his job-but he had no regrets there. He’d taken a stand for what he thought was right and had no intention of compromising his integrity. What truly had him reeling was his feeling of betrayal over Maddie’s report. And even worse, her belief that he’d slept with her to influence it.

Damn it, that really hurt. And the fact that it hurt really pissed him off. What the hell did he care what she thought? They’d shared a couple of hot nights and now it was over.

Yes, it was over. But he’d foolishly hoped it was just the beginning. She’d touched something inside him, eliciting feelings he hadn’t felt in a very long time. The fact that he’d been so wrong about her-that she’d write that report and question his intentions, well, obviously he’d misjudged her. The only thing left to do was put her out of his mind. And his heart-where she’d unfortunately managed to burrow.

After a sleepless night spent tossing and turning, reliving every moment he’d spent with Maddie, moments he wanted desperately to forget, Jack hauled his tired ass to work Tuesday morning and immediately headed to the break room for a much-needed cup of coffee. He’d just taken his first sip when a man he didn’t recognize entered the room. Jack judged him to be in his late thirties. He was well dressed and offered Jack a friendly good morning.

Since the good part was highly debatable, Jack replied, “ ’Morning. I don’t think we’ve met.” He extended his hand. “Jack Walker.”

The man gave his hand two firm pumps. “The CFO. Good to meet you. Walter Langdon. I’m with Lazer Consultants.”

Jack barely managed to hide his grimace at the name of the firm Maggie worked for. “Here to assist Ms. Price?”

“Actually I’m her replacement. I’ll be taking over her office.”

Jack’s hand halted so abruptly midsip that some of his coffee sloshed over the rim of his cup onto the floor. Feeling as if he’d just walked into a theater in the middle of the movie, he lowered his mug to the counter and stared at Walter Langdon. “You’re replacing Maddie? When did this happen?”

“Yesterday. But don’t worry, Gavin’s brought me up to speed on everything. The transition will be seamless.”

“Why the change? Was it her idea or Gavin’s?”

Walter shrugged and poured himself a cup of coffee. “I believe it was mutual.” He took a sip and gave a satisfied ahhh. “Great coffee, but I wouldn’t expect anything less from Java Heaven. Good to meet you, Jack. We’ll be seeing a lot of each other over the next month.” Cup in hand, Walter left the break room.

Jack stared at the empty doorway, feeling poleaxed. Which was ridiculous. He should be celebrating. No more Mad Dog Price. He’d never have to lay eyes on her again. And out of sight meant out of mind, which was great. Yeah, great. He was happy. Really happy. Happy, damn it.

Okay, maybe happy was too strong a word. Maybe miserable was better. And even though he shouldn’t care, even though it didn’t matter, he found himself striding toward Gavin’s office. To find out what happened with Maddie. And why the new consultant thought they’d be working together for the next month when Jack would be gone in two weeks. Which Gavin damn well knew since Jack had left his letter of resignation on Gavin’s desk before leaving late last night.

“Got a minute?” he asked, knocking on Gavin’s open door when he arrived.

“C’mon in, Jack,” Gavin said, waving him in. “Feeling better today?”

The question irked him-as if his resignation was some sort of tantrum-but he swallowed his irritation. “I feel fine. I felt fine yesterday. I just met Walter Langdon in the break room.”

Gavin nodded. “The new consultant. Nice guy.”

“What happened to Maddie?”

Gavin blew out a long breath and shook his head. “I’m afraid she just didn’t work out.”

“So her leaving was your idea?”

“Yes. After that report she gave me, I didn’t really have a choice. She and I just weren’t on the same page.”

Jack’s brows pulled into a frown. “What do you mean? What was wrong with the report?”

“She didn’t do what I asked. She knew her objective at the team building was to recommend which employees should be cut from your department. Instead she gave me a bunch of reasons and recommendation as to why no cuts should be made. That’s not what I hired her to do-so I asked that she be replaced with someone who could get the job done.”

Everything inside Jack went still. “You led me to believe her report recommended the cuts. Named names.”

“I never said that.”

Jack tried to replay yesterday’s conversation with Gavin, but his thoughts were in too much turmoil with the sickening realization that he’d made a mistake. A very big mistake.

“As far as naming names,” Gavin continued, “I’m giving you first crack at it, but if you don’t pick the five to go, I will.”

Jack cleared his throat to loosen the tightness there. “You seem to forget that I’ve formally resigned. In writing.”

Gavin waved his hand. “You were angry. I understand.” His gaze hardened. “Just don’t do it again, Jack. I don’t care for ultimatums.”

“I didn’t give you one. I gave you my two weeks’ notice. But you’re right. I’d like to rescind it.”

A smug grin curved Gavin’s lips. “I knew you would.”

“Instead, I’m resigning effective immediately.” He planted his hands on Gavin’s desk and leaned forward. “I’m not going to be a party to watching that department die a slow death. Good luck. You’re going to need it.” He turned on his heel and headed toward the door.

“You can’t just walk out like this.”

Jack paused long enough to say, “Yes, I can. And I have.” Without another word, he strode to his office, where he quickly packed his meager personal belongings in a box then headed for the elevator. He made a mental note to contact the staff and explain, but that would have to wait until tomorrow.

Right now there was something far more urgent he needed to take care of.