“Good. John told me you’re handling yourself well. Is he a good supervisor?”

He was an arrogant prick, but at least he had given her much more information than he had been obliged to, according to Madison’s assistant. Because of this substantial information, she had been able to get a handle of things much faster than she would have otherwise. “He’s an excellent supervisor, ma’am.”

“Good, good.” She leaned back. “I have to admit that you have surprised me. My judgment of you might have been a little rash. Maybe you’ll be able to take over the firm one day after all.”

As much as she’d waited for these words, something felt off in the way Grandmother Eileen said it.

“But…” Her grandmother sighed. “I’ll come straight to the point: you need a new girlfriend.”

Madison blinked.

“It’s bad enough that you have these”—she twirled her hand—“preferences. But a woman of your standing shouldn’t consort with a waitress. What kind of image does that project?”

“Y-you want me to break up with Sherry?” The room seemed to start spinning, and she had to hold on to the armrests of her chair.

“Exactly. If you insist on having a relationship with a woman, you should at least consider—”

Madison jumped up. “She is not negotiable.”

Grandmother Eileen’s features hardened.

What am I doing? If she asks me to jump though a burning hoop, I’ll do it. But the thought of waking up tomorrow without Sherry beside her sucked the air out of her lungs.

Her grandmother stood as well. “Not negotiable? You’d risk it all for some random girl, who—”

“She isn’t random to me.” It might have started out like that, but everything had changed. Oh, how much it had changed for her.

“You’re blinded by her. This girl is just out for your money. She—”

Madison held up her hand. “Enough!” She had to take a couple of deep breaths before she could say in a halfway calm voice, “I have work to do. If you’ll excuse me.” Not waiting for an answer, she marched out of the inner office and past Tiffany.

Minutes later, she was back behind the desk in her own office. She was still gasping for breath as if she’d run a marathon.

What was her damn problem? The job she had hired Sherry for was accomplished.

“What the hell am I waiting for?” Madison reached for her desk phone. She had to call Sherry to end their agreement.