Page 40 of Yes to The Holidays
I sighed, but with a smile. “You know, Candy, I don’t think I care.”
Candy grabbed my shoulders from behind me and shook me around, beaming. “You deserve everything, Janie. Fuck Donald.”
“I gotta get back to the conference room. Not sure what’s going to happen once the deal is done, but I’m going to be optimistic.”
I left, and Candy stayed behind. When I entered the conference room, all eyes landed on me. Most were warm, but Donald’s were slits, and his lips were tight.
Eddie motioned to the side table. “Grab some coffee or water, Janie. We have just a few things to wrap up.”
I grabbed a bottle of water and took my seat. We spent the next couple of hours going over department roles and some individual duties. Odin asked most of the questions and Eddie sat back and listened as Jack, Donald, and I gave the details.
We had practically explained down to the custodian agency we used what everyone’s roles were including salary ranges for everyone except those in the room. Eddie had done a great job of providing equal pay for men and women based on job title and rank, but there were of course small variances for degrees and experience. But the margins were quite thin.
Eddie sat up straighter after having been relaxed most of the day. “Jack, Donnie, can you excuse us please?”
I scanned the room. Jack nodded, grabbing his notes and coffee mug before exiting. Donald shot his eyes to me with a tick to his jaw and didn’t move.
Odin folded his hands on the table. “Donald, if you have something to discuss, I’d kindly ask that you save it for later as we have a schedule here and need to talk about something with Janie.”
Donald shot from his chair and hastily grabbed his notes, leaving his coffee mug and water bottle on the table before he stormed out.
The door slammed, and I jumped in my seat.
Eddie shook his head. “I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but I don’t care for it.” He glanced at Odin, then back to me. “Sorry for the theatrics, Janie. We will speak to him later together. I still currently own this place and won’t have him behaving that way.”
Odin looked approvingly at Eddie then back to me. “Oh yes, I plan to address that.”
I waved them both off. “He’s just salty about our personal life.” Odin winced, so I continued. “Our past personal life I should say. But I’d rather not dwell on him. What can I do for you gentlemen?” My heart raced. I used to be so calm doing business, but lately I didn’t know up from down, and new things kept being thrown at me. All I could do was nod and smile then figure it out as I went.
Eddie smiled. “Janie, we’ve worked together longer than this company has been a company. You left your last job and took a chance with me. We struggled at first, but you stuck it out, and look what we built together.”
Pressure went to my face, and Odin jumped from his seat to go to the side table and grab some napkins for me. I smiled as I took them, clutching one but still fighting back tears as Eddie spoke.
“Never in a million years did I think we would have been so successful. And I know I owe it to you.”
“Eddie, we’re a team. Even Donald contrib–”
“No. I’m on my way out, so I will be straight with you. The only reason he came is because of you. He’s smart and savvy, and you seemed happy, so I kept him, and we added Jack once we could afford it. But you were the one. You understand all aspects of what we do here, not just your team. And Jack and Donald are good directors, but this company needs a leader.”
My brow furrowed. “I think you made a solid choice in Odin, sir.”
“Oh, I have no doubt that Odin will be a great President of the company. But…” He turned to Odin.
“Janie, we’ve had the opportunity to chat, and I’ve mentioned before I’ve never been in a very active role with any company except my investments. I love what Eddie has built here, but I’m still an outsider. These people need someone they know and trust to lead them.”
I shook my head. “I don’t understand. Are you no longer purchasing the company?” My pulse pumped even harder. Was he stepping down? Could my worries be dissolved here and now?
Eddie interjected. “Janie, I want the last order of business I carry out before the sale is official, is to make you Chief Executive Officer.”
I sat for a few moments, staring at Eddie. Odin leaned over and placed his hand on top of mine, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Janie, are you alright?”
I pulled my hand away and shook my head. “Um, I–what?”
Eddie chuckled then stood and took the seat on the other side of me. “Janie, Odin does not want to be involved in operations with the exception of a few emails here and there and maybe an appearance once a year. He asked who could handle the task and I immediately said you. He agreed but wanted to wait until today to tell you.”
“Eddie, wow. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” Odin said.
