“Try.”
As I made my way up several city blocks, I told Ainsley everything that had transpired in Jake’s office. She listened silently on the other end, occasionally making shocked sounds when I told her what I’d said to him, and even cheering at the part where I told him he used work as a distraction. She apparently felt much better about it than I did.
“And then when we both cooled off,” I continued, “he sort of… well…”
“He sort of what?”
“He asked me to reconsider and admitted that we hadn’t really tried to make this thing work. I think he knows I had been trying, but he hadn’t. He promised to work on his attitude and change his behavior if I stayed, and agreed that I wouldn’t have to work nights or weekends anymore. He even offered to hire someone else to take the tedious tasks off my plate.”
“Oh, Gabi, please tell me you’re not going to fall for the smooth talk.”
“He seemed sincere.”
“Most manipulative narcissists are.”
I ducked into a home décor boutique full of scented candles, throw pillows, and summer patio items like serving trays and cocktail accessories. As I wandered, I admitted something to Ainsley at the same time as admitting it to myself. “I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen the real Jake. I think he’s buried himself deep inside this shell of an angry, bitter man.”
“Probably, but it isn’t your job to chisel him out, Gabi.”
“It wasn’t your job to do it for Beckham, but now look at you.”
Ainsley heaved a dramatic sigh. “Okay, you’re not wrong, but that was different. Beckham was giving me my dream job. I had stakes invested in my situation. Jake isn’t offering you your dream job, is he?”
“I don’t know if I have a dream job.”
Ainsley was quiet for a moment while I picked up and smelled every candle on a neatly organized shelf. Finally, she spoke. “You’re going to accept his offer, aren’t you?”
I set the candle down. “I think so.”
* * *
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped into the familiar office at five thirty. A handful of employees were still there, including Donna, who had her laptop bag open and was tucking her work computer into it. She looked up when she heard my heels clicking across the floors and smiled.
“Does this mean you’re staying?” she asked.
“I’m giving him one month to get it right,” I said.
She shimmied out from behind her chair and gave me a hug. “Thank goodness! I don’t know what I would have done here without you. Don’t tell anyone, but I was looking at job postings today.”
I giggled as I hugged her back. “We both live to see another day, it seems. How’s he been today?”
We parted, and both our gazes wandered up to Jake’s office. The crow’s nest.
“He’s been working away up there most of the day,” Donna said. “He came out around lunch time and sent for a coffee order for everyone.”
“Did he?”
She nodded. “Yep, at first, we all thought it was some sort of trick. He only ever orders coffees or lunches for the office the week leading up to Christmas.”
“Huh.” Maybe he’d heard what I said about actions speaking louder than words—not that some coffees would rectify everything.
The lingering employees on the deck wished Donna and me goodnight as they passed us and headed home.
Donna collected her water bottle from her desk and slung her laptop bag over her shoulder. “I have to run. I’m meeting my dad for dinner. See you in the morning?”
“Sure thing.”
After Donna left, I turned toward the crow’s nest. Jake stood in his office. He was looking straight at me. I wasn’t sure why, but I smiled, and much to my surprise, he smiled back. I began making my way up the stairs to see him, and he came out of his office and met me halfway down the steps.