Page 90 of Fumbled Beginning

“Thanks for meeting with me.” I wiped my hands down along my front and slipped into the chair opposite his. This was the same man who took a chance on an inexperienced kid fresh out of college and hired her.

He frowned at the paper in front of him. “I received a copy of your resignation letter from HR. I have to say, I wasn’t expecting this.”

Lucy and Stephanie tried to talk me out of it, but every time I thought about working with the same man who caused me so much misery, it killed me inside.

“Please know that this decision wasn’t made lightly.”

I had difficulty sleeping last night but woke up this morning knowing I had to do this for my mental health. I needed a fresh start. There were people already whispering about my confrontation with Dom in the restaurant. Some of my coworkers had already seen the pictures of him and me on Instagram. And people were talking about JP. I hated the attention and the gossip. I took pride in my job and didn’t want this mess to follow me everywhere I went. And even though JP hurt me, I still wanted to protect his privacy.

“May I be frank with you?” He linked his hands together and rested them on the desk.

“Please do.” I gave him a soft smile.

“I like you, Rylee, and you’re one of the best event coordinators we’ve ever had. Your leaving will cost the company greatly, but I have to respect that you know what is best for you. Is there anything I can do to convince you to stay?”

Gary and I had developed a very good working relationship over the years. There was no doubt in my mind he would do anything to get me to stay, but that wasn’t an option for me. I had to leave while I had leverage over Dom. Staying in a place where I had to deal with him wasn’t feasible.

“You have been wonderful to me, Gary. Unfortunately, my reason for leaving is strictly personal. I’m going to miss working here.”

The thought of this being the last time I’d be in this room hit me harder than I expected. My eyes got misty as I fought like hell to keep it together. I hadn’t planned for so much change in my life. Losing my boyfriend and my job all in the same week left me wondering if I even had a future to be excited about.

He scooted forward and handed me a tissue. “I don’t know everything that went down in your life, but I can see that you are heartbroken.”

I should have been embarrassed by how emotional I was being, but after all I’d been through, I didn’t have the energy to care anymore.

“Let’s just say it’s been a rough week.”

He pulled on his tie. “Would offering you some paid time off entice you to stay?”

“I wish it were that simple.” I wiped at the corner of my eyes. I had no plans. No other job offers. I was walking away from a job I loved. I kept telling myself I was young and still had options, yet it didn’t make me feel any better.

He lowered his head in defeat. “I’m not going to hold you to the non-compete clause, and I’ll make sure you get a reasonable severance package. One that will help get you through the next few months.”

My eyes widened. “That’s very generous of you.”

He was making it so damn hard to walk away. But I had one goal in mind: to start a new life. I needed a fresh start, away from the drama, away from my ex, away from everything.

“I’d be happy to write you a letter of recommendation.”

My hands were shaking, and my eyes were filled with gratitude. “Thank you. I can’t tell you enough about how much I enjoyed working here and all you’ve done for me over the years.”

He stood from his chair and held his hand out. “If you ever change your mind, we will find a way to take you back.”

If only JP felt the same way.

CHAPTER29

JP

“You, my friend,”Maverick’s jaw was tight, “have some fucking groveling to do!”

“Great,” I gritted out. He was the last person I needed to see standing on my doorstep. “I was hoping to clear the air with you before you talked to Rylee.”

He shoved my shoulder and charged into my house. “I told you that if you ever hurt my sister that we were going to have problems.”

It looked like my best friend hated my guts. “I get that you’re mad at me and I expected you to take her side. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry this came between us.”

He crossed his arms and glared. “That’s it? Are you not sorry for the way you treated my sister?”

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