Page 51 of Savage in the Sheets
“It’s hard to say.”
“People like you, Wes, and you leaving would put considerable strain on some of our business dealings.”
“And I’m sorry about that. It’s just—”
“Which is why I’m pushing to get you a promotion that will double your salary.”
I lean back in my chair, dumbfounded by what Jim had just said. “I don’t understand. Doubling my salary will earn me more than—”
“Than myself. Oh, and my boss above me.”
“Why would you do that?”
Jim takes a seat and dons an all-knowing look. “Part of what makes a manager good at his job is recognizing and nurturing talent. Sometimes, when someone really skilled pops up, management will try to suppress their talent to make themselves look better—more superior. I never did believe in that. You are somewhat of a prodigy in your field, certainly capable of more than myself, or my own boss, for that matter. Holding you back would mean I’m not doing my job.”
Guilt was needling me before. Now it’s going at me with a jackhammer.
“Gosh, I don’t know what to say—”
Jim casts me a curious look. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not gonna take it?”
He’s always been good at seeing right through someone. Sniffing out lies like a drug dog hunting crack. There’s no point in lying to him, so I come out with the truth.
“I had an ‘entanglement’ with a friend, and it’s fizzled.”
Jim chuckles. “Wes, you have more entanglements than any man I know.”
“Yeah, but this one meant something.”
“So, you’re running away?”
“Truth is, I don’t know what I’m doing. I just know that it’s the only option that will guarantee that I won’t run into her unexpectedly.”
“You never struck me as a man that would run from their problems.”
“I’m not, because this isn’t really a problem. I’m not trying to win her heart—”
“Andthat’sthe problem.” He points his finger at me. “If you feel something for her, why not win her heart?”
“She’s with another guy.”
“But does she know how you feel?”
“No.”
“Then tell her! Woo her like they used to when a man would court a woman. Make her see that you’re the better option.”
I shake my head. “No. I’m not a psycho that can’t take no for an answer.”
“Did she tell you no?”
“Not exactly…I mean, she didn’t know that I was interested in her.”
“Then she’s making decisions without all the facts.”
Could Jim be right? Is it possible that if I told Jenna my feelings, that she would reciprocate?
“Go home. Take the weekend, don’t even think about calling into work.”
