Page 9 of The Floral Arrangement

I followed Adam into his office, which was almost identical to mine but on the other corner of the building with a slightly more attractive view of Bryant Park.

“Take a seat, Roz,” he said, sitting behind his large mahogany desk and gesturing at the chair opposite him. “How are you doing?”

“Good, thank you. How are you?” I plastered a smile on my face.

“Excellent, excellent.” He glanced out the window. “Great weather. Might go golfing this weekend if it keeps up.”

I nodded, tapping my foot on the floor.Couldn’t he get to the point? We needed to discuss practical matters. It would make sense for me to start taking over the role immediately. I had so many plans for the firm: expanding our global footprint into Asia; building up our sustainability and environmental, social, and governance practices; and overhauling our diversity, equity, and inclusion strategy, to name a few. I was confident that under my leadership, Saunders & Company could become the top management consulting firm in the world.

Adam refocused his attention back on me. “So, as you know, the senior partners met last night to vote on the global managing partner position.”

“Yes.” I straightened in my seat, taking in a deep breath. While inwardly I’d be doing a happy dance, I had to remain composed when Adam broke the news. I had a reputation to maintain.

“You have made an amazing contribution to the firm and are one of our most valued partners.” Adam leaned forward, pressing his lips together.

I smiled. This was it.

He cleared his throat and looked me straight in the eye. “But the senior partners decided that James is the best fit for the global managing partner role.”

“What?”I blinked, my mouth dry. Surely I had misheard.

“I’m sorry Roz. You’ll continue to head up the New York office of course. And you’re still young. Maybe by the time James retires, things will have changed and you’ll get the votes.”

“Things will have changed?” I spluttered.

“You know what I mean, Roz.” His gaze pierced me. He was smart enough not to say anything else or risk a lawsuit.

My chest tightened, and my vision blurred. I knew exactly what he meant. While Saunders & Company had overhauled its hiring practices over the past few years in an effort to employ more diverse employees, senior management in the firm was still dominated by white, cis, hetero, married men with kids. I’d convinced myself that they’d look beyond my age, gender, sexual orientation, and marital status and put the future of the firm first. But clearly they’d decided James, in his fifties with a wife, three kids, and fancy private school background, was what the firm needed.

I took a deep breath, trying to stop my body from shaking. I’d devoted my whole life to this fucking company, only to get bumped out by some mediocre guy?

Well, screw them.

“I’m not hanging around here in the hope that the partners become less bigoted and James kicks the bucket before he runs Saunders & Company into the ground. And I’m sure as hell not going to keep working my ass off, bringing in profits for everyone else to enjoy.” I fixed Adam with a steely gaze. “Take this as my resignation.”

With that, I turned and strode out the door, slamming it behind me.

* * *

I steppedout of the building and took a breath of early spring air. I’d instructed Sofia to have all my personal effects boxed and sent to my Upper East Side apartment and cancel my meetings or send someone else to attend in my place. My direct reports were preparing draft handover notes to be provided to the partners who picked up my work. I’d review them at home before I officially switched off for good. Under the terms of my contract, I was meant to give more notice, but I wasn’t going to hang around at Saunders & Company for a protracted transition period. I’d given them enough. They could sue me if they wanted to, but I knew they wouldn’t. They didn’t like having their dirty laundry aired in public and I wouldn’t bat an eyelash at making a counterclaim for discrimination if they tried.

My blood boiled, but I willed myself to calm down.It’s not worth it, Roz. You need to let it go. They don’t deserve you.

With the cool air in my lungs, I looked around, taking in my surroundings. Across 42nd Street, the London plane trees that lined Bryant Park were still leafless, but the sky was a gorgeous blue, and the sun shone on the mix of early twentieth century buildings and modern soaring glass skyscrapers that surrounded the park. Despite working across from Bryant Park for the past nineteen years, I rarely stepped foot in it. Too busy working. Now I had all the time in the world.

Feeling slightly giddy at my newfound freedom, I crossed the street, picking up my pace at the end to avoid being hit by a yellow taxi. Taking the steps two at a time, I entered the park. Vibrant green grass covered the center where the ice rink had stood only a few months earlier. I wandered down a path lined with plane trees and green shrubs until I reached the small green waffle stand.

“A latte, thanks,” I said to the young man behind the counter, as the sweet buttery scent of waffles flooded over me. If I hadn’t had my usual breakfast of toast and scrambled eggs already, I might have been tempted.

Coffee in hand, I sat on one of Bryant Park’s iconic green chairs in the sun, turning it so my back faced a patch of yellow and white tulips. I’d had more than enough flowers already today. I shut my eyes, soaking in the sun, listening to the birds chirping, the horns of impatient cars and the hum of people chatting at nearby tables.

It was pleasant, but it wasn’t long before restlessness rolled over me. I couldn’t just sit around here all day. I needed to do something.

But what?

The latte swirled in my stomach. I was a quick thinker, but rash was not my style. Yet this morning’s decision—possibly one of the most momentous of my life—had been made on the spur of the moment. I’d spent my entire career at Saunders & Company. Without it, I had no purpose, no goal, nothing to work toward. I didn’t regret it, though. Staying there, reporting to James, was completely untenable.

I sucked in a breath. Strictly speaking, I didn’t need to work again. I’d been a partner since twenty-eight, invested wisely, and lived relatively frugally. But an early retirement was never part of my plan. I liked working too much.

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