She smiled. “I’ll be in my office for a little while and then I’ll just head out the back. Might go to Gale’s for a bite to eat.”

“Sounds like a good idea.” Beth stood, giving her a hug. “Tell your folks hi. And let your dad know I’ll have another batch of oatmeal raisin for him soon.”

“Thanks. See ya.”

She returned to her office, sat at her desk, and looked at some invoices Beth had left in her tray. After checking their accounts online, she shut down her computer and headed for the door. Treating herself to a nice meal might be the thing she needed. Good food, a tall beer, and time just for her.

Chapter Two

“You’re fired.”

“Excuse me?” The man’s face drained of color and he sat with hunched shoulders, staring with glassy eyes. “But why?”

“Why do you think, Mr. Andrews?”

“I-I have no idea. I’ve worked my ass off for this company for eight years. And this is what I get?”

“And how many times in those eight years have you missed a deadline? Or taken sick days to go golfing with your buddies?” She didn’t think his face could get even paler, but she was wrong. “Be careful what you put on social media, Mr. Andrews. Someone is always watching. Now, you have ten minutes to go back to your desk and pack your things. Security will escort you out.”

He stormed out of the office muttering, “Bitch,” loud enough for her to hear.

“How original,” she said as she rubbed her face. Despite what people said, Jillian Jacobs hated firing people. Her boss passed this task on to her time and time again, which seemed to have given her a reputation around the company as a heartless bitch.

Jill shook her mouse, banging it on the desk to make it wake faster. As she scanned through the list of sixty new emails and flagged the most important ones, her assistant walked into her office. Jill held back a groan when she noticed them carrying several thick folders in their hands. “What is it, Ash?”

“Mr. Gibbons asked for you to meet him at eleven to talk about a new client. He wants you to look over the portfolio and business plan beforehand.” Ash placed the folders on the desk in front of Jill.

“Eleven? That’s in five minutes! Couldn’t you have given these to me a little earlier?” Jill grabbed the first folder as she paced behind her desk, skimming the information.

Ash raised their hands. “His assistant dropped them off as soon as your meeting with Kevin started. I swear.”

Jill stopped and looked at Ash. “Kevin?”

“Kevin Andrews? The guy you just let go?”

“Oh. Him. Fucking Harrison,” Jill growled. “I need a cup of coffee.” Jill watched as Ash adjusted their tie and flicked lint off the front of their pants. “Well? You’re not moving.”