Page 42 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
I steeled myself against a verbal lashing like Darby had unfurled at me. “You are, which is why I’m confident you will have no problems finding a new position elsewhere.”
His eyes hardened. “You’re still not telling me why I’m being let go. I want a reason.”
Fine, if he wanted to know, I’d tell him. “Your attitude toward your superiors isn’t conducive to a positive working environment.”
He leaned forward in his seat, his voice steely. “I’m being punished because you can’t handle criticism? If anything, you should be the one being fired, not me. You’re the cold-hearted scrooge who is so uptight she won’t even allow us to talk. Are you that afraid of people voicing their opinions about you?”
Not as bad as Darby had implied, but man, it didn’t matter how many times I heard those words. They stung.
Rhett scoffed. “If you think insulting Chef Dewhurst is the way to keep your job, you are sorely mistaken. And your ‘criticisms,’ as you claim them to be, are rude, judgmental, and unnecessary. If you want to make it in this industry, learn to show respect.”
His chin lifted at a defiant angle. “I show respect to those who earn it.”
Rhett stood. “I feel bad for you, then. Chef Dewhurst is one of the best chefs I’ve had the privilege of working with. If you can’t see that, I’m afraid your career in the food industry will be short-lived. Also, a word of advice? Disrespecting others isn’t a weakness in them, it’s a weakness inyou. Now get out.“ He pointed at his office door.
Having a friend by my side wasn’t terrible. I was grateful Rhett had stood up for me. Yes, I would have liked to rip Josh to shreds, but then my professionalism would have been in question, and I appreciated that he didn’t approve of Josh’s disrespect for me.
Josh stormed out of Rhett’s office, flipping up his middle finger as he went.
Rhett sighed. “I’m going to make sure he leaves. I’ll be right back.”
I was completely drained. The toll of working myself up over what had to happen and then doing it, on top of that almost-kiss, had left me like a limp doll. I craved my bed and a good book. Unfortunately, I still had the party and the usual restaurant shift to get through. Caffeine was most definitely needed—and chocolate. Good thing I had both stashed in my bottom desk drawer.
Rhett came back into his office, his cheeks flushed red. “Good riddance to the both of them.”
“Thanks again for helping me—and for supporting me.” Pride at handlingmostof Josh’s dismissal swelled within me.
He smiled softly. “Always.”
Forget the caffeine boost. Rhett’s smile did it all on its own.
Chapter 17
Rhett
I’dhadnointentionof kissing Holly. None whatsoever. After she’d said she needed me in that tone that tugged at my gut, my finger, without approval from my brain, had automatically reached up to brush her hair behind her ear. The second my skin had met hers, a shock of heat had zoomed into me like a comet racing across the sky. At that point, my body had taken over, and all thoughts vanished. That was the only reason I’d leaned toward Holly’s pink lips. I was a little annoyed at Darby for interrupting us because the idea of getting a taste of Holly had consumed me.
But why had I let one tension-filled moment get the better of me? We both might lose our jobs for this. And as much as I liked Holly, I wasn’t ready to risk my future—a thought that triggered my depression and anxiety. I shouldn’t have allowed myself to lose control like that.
Also, how had Holly dealt with Darby and Josh for so long? I was deliriously happy they were gone. Holly was nothing like what Josh and Darby said she was. Not that it made letting them go any easier. My hands still slightly shook from firing them. We had no time to relish their termination, though. Our employees were due to arrive in an hour, and Holly and I had a lot to do before then.
“Ready to get the party started?” I asked Holly, who sat in the tub chair she’d pulled to the other side of my desk.
She stood, brushing her hands down her sides. “No, but let’s get this over with anyway.”
“Thanks for taking one for the team,” I teased, hoping we could get back to how we had been before the almost-kiss.
One of her eyebrows rose. “Did you ever think I could do that?”
I laughed. Certainly not when I’d first met her. “Before you know it, you’ll be cracking jokes and smiling all the time like I do.”
She snorted. “Don’t count on it.”
She started scooting the chair back to the other side of my desk. I pulled it from behind and resituated it in front of my desk. I met Holly’s gaze. “I’m not so sure. You decided to be my friend and said you needed me. I wouldn’t put it past you to come around on this point as well.”
Ah, man. Why did I have to bring up the kiss?
“Don’t hold your breath.”
