I drum my fingernails against my cheek. No answer. Undoubtedly, Walsh is revving me up for whatever crazy bit of news she has to share. Either that or she’s not awake yet. She’s on mountain time in Colorado, so presumably she should be awake, but then again time is a loose concept to Walsh.
My phone buzzes in my hand, making me jump.
When do you get off work? I’ll tell you then.
Well, look who’s up.
Tell me now
Ugh. Fine. 5:30
Cool, talk soon!
Crap, I forgot about happy hour. I start typing a reply but my computer dings with two new emails. I click off my phone and open the first. It’s from Graeme, a reply to my original message last night.
James is back in the loop, and Graeme is back to a monosyllabic caveman. Typical.
I browse our social media pages. They’re now filled with tweets and posts of the British Columbia airfare promotion. I suck in a deep breath through my nose. Was it only last night that Graeme and I were joking about the size of my hypothetical knife collection? I’d like to believe it never happened because it’s just too weird. But my stomach somersaults, reminding me that it did.
The second unread email draws my eye. It’s a calendar invite to meet with James at four o’clock. As I’m clicking to accept the invitation, my desk phone rings. I answer it.
“Evans,” I say automatically.
“Hi, Henley, it’s Barbara,” says James’s secretary in her light, airy voice.
Is this about the digital director position? Every speck of hope inside me distills into a pulsing, living thing inside my heart. Aiming for calm, I lean back in my chair and smooth my coral skirt over my knees. “Hey, Barb, how are you? I just got the meeting invite.”
“That’s what I’m calling about. I know I probably shouldn’t say anything…” Her voice is muffled now like she’s whispering behind her hand. “But I overheard James talking to Marlen this morning.” Marlen is our CEO. The blood freezes in my veins and I don’t dare breathe.
“Your four o’clock meeting? It’s not just about your British Columbia idea. I overheard Marlen tell James that he wants to consider you for director of digital marketing… Henley, you made the short list.”
3
First thought: I’m on the short list! The short list! That director job is as good as mine. Yes! Fist pump, high five, get some!
Second thought: Short list… what short list? I should be the list. One name. Me. No one else. Hulk smash!
I blink several times and realize that Barbara is still talking. “… I can’t say any more.”
