Page 15 of My Ex's Best Friend

Bea subtly slips away, leaving me to face the gauntlet of disapproving gazes.

"Sorry I'm late, gentlemen. Got caught in a stampede at the coffee machine. Apparently, decaf was on sale," I announce with a sheepish grin, hoping to inject a dose of humor into the room.

I shuffle toward my seat at the head of the table.

"Well, at least it's a good workout. Cardio, you know?”

I clear my throat, flipping through my folder. “So, where were we?”

One of the board members, Nelson, leans forward, adjusting his glasses. “We need an update on the European collaboration.”

“We’re setting up our base in France, but we hope to take over Milan and Nice quickly. We also plan to take on museums in Rome and Verona. If anybody has requests or personal connections to cities outside the list, I'm all ears.”

“Paris is a jackpot.” Nelson peers over his folder, which looks significantly bigger than mine. I double check mine. Did Bea miss something? She’s usually so thorough about everything. “Is that where you’re going to build the European headquarters?”

“If we’re going to work long-term and create lasting partnerships, we’re going to need more than just that,” Idris, another member, says.

“Yes, we definitely need a physical presence if we’re going to continue working with museums all over Europe. The logistics of working overseas is not going to be feasible for long,”

I say. “We’re already scouting for places in Central Paris, and we hope to finalize something by the end of the month.”

“I did not just mean that when I meant establishing a physical presence,” Idris says. “We need a strong connection, an expert.”

“With all due respect, I think we are all experts here,” Nelson says, obviously miffed.

Idris scowls. “And why are you taking that so personally?”

“Gentlemen.” I clear my throat. They turn their dagger eyes to me. “Nelson, I understand what you’re trying to say, and Idris, I totally agree. We need to start from scratch and build the department; for that, we need a fresh perspective. In fact, we’re already in the process of hiring an associate with a background in art history and experience working at a museum.”

Idris seems impressed. “Looks like you’ve got everything handled already.”

Nelson nods grudgingly.

“I know how big this project is. Objectively, one of the biggest ones for us since we started this unit. And I will do my best to do it justice.”

I get nods all around, all the approval I will get from them.

“Well, I’m satisfied with our progress. You’ve addressed everything I was concerned about.” Idris starts to get up, and everybody else follows suit.

There’s a soft pat on my shoulder, and I look up to see Nelson peering down at me.

I start to stand up, but he stops me.

“You remind me of your grandfather,” Nelson says. “You’re doing good for yourself, Jacob. We all see the work you do for the company. We were all a little apprehensive when you started the art restoration unit, and most of us thought you would fail.”

“Thank you, I think?”

He continues, undeterred. “We have big hopes for you. And if, at times, it feels like we’re being hard on you, rest assured, we’re just looking out for you.”

I’m touched by his words. “Thanks, Nelson.”

The board meeting mercifully concludes, and I step out into the hallway, greeted by Bea's ever-efficient presence with a cup of coffee waiting for me.

“You are a lifesaver,” I say.

She cracks a rare smile. “You hired me for my lifesaving and coffee-making skills.”

"I did. How are we doing on the hiring front for the Europe team?"

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