Letting Go of You (Anchored Hearts #2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

all the Holiday parties were planned and in order.  There was a rap on my door and I looked up to see Cecily poke her head in.
    “Are you busy?”  I shook my head as she closed the door before sitting down across from me.  “I wanted to talk to you about your future here at B & C.”
    Oh shit, was I getting canned?  “I’m all ears.”
    “I’m planning to retire in the coming months.  I’ve been looking for my replacement for some time now.”  She looked to me and I nodded for her to continue.  Please tell me I wasn’t going to be out of a job.  “As you know, my mother started this company and handed it down to me.  However, I have no children so that leaves me with no one to turn the company over to.  I’m younger than she was, but my heart just isn’t in it anymore.  To be honest, Preston wants to get married and move south.”
    This surprised me.  The lady who was preaching to me about love, career, and the choices we make was choosing love over her career.  At the same time I was happy for her.  She’d had a long and successful career.  She was due a break to pursue other things.  She’d been in the office less and less over the past few months and happier than usual.  Everyone in the office picked up on it. 
    “You’re engaged?”
    “Shh, you’re the first I’ve told.”  She held up her hand and the enormous rock that glittered7
    on her hand was beautiful.  Way too big for my taste, but it seemingly suited her.
    “Cecily, congratulations, that’s marvelous!  When’s the big day?  Do you need help planning?”
    “Ah, I digress.  We’ll be eloping.  I’m not up for a big to-do.  This will be my third marriage and his second.  No need for an ostentatious celebration.  We plan enough of those here!”  She stared at her ring for a moment before talking again.  “So, that leaves us to discuss your role here.  Are you happy planning parties?”
    I was speechless.  How the hell did I answer that question?  “Well, I, of course I love planning a good party.  The clientele sometimes gets under my skin, but that’d be a problem in any industry, I imagine.  I’d love and be willing to take on more responsibility if you see fit.  It may help with the transition if you’re truly planning to retire.”
    She smiled at me as she nodded.  “That’s the answer I was hoping to hear from you.  I’ll start sending you more of my files and we can spend more time together.  I’d like you to gain more experience on my side of the table.”
    “Ok, that sounds great.”
    She got up and walked to the door.  “Keep up the great work.  Don’t be alarmed when you get your next paycheck.  With the duties you’ll be taking on, a raise was in order.”
    My jaw dropped before I said, “Thank you.”  She winked at me before she left the room and I got up and did a happy dance.  I immediately wanted to share the good news with James.  Then I remembered that I hadn’t spoken to him for a couple of days now.  The only communication from him was the vase of flowers now sitting on my desk.  I decided to pull out my phone and text him anyways.
     
    Thank you for the flowers.
    They’re beautiful, as usual.
    PS…I just got a raise and a
    promotion , I think!
     
     
    I set my phone down and within seconds it was vibrating away.
     
    That’s great about the promotion,
    I think?  You deserve it.
     
     
    That was all his text said.  No love, no apology.  While I was happy he responded, my shoulders sagged at his lack of response. What was going on with him?  One day he was professing his love and the next his walls were up again. I jumped when my cell started dancing across my desk again.
     
     
    I’m sorry about this past
    weekend.  I have plans with
    an old friend tonight.  I’ll call you.
    Love you. ~J
     
     
    You know where to find me.
    XOXO ~Blackbird
     
     
    He didn’t respond with anything else.  Who was this ‘old friend’?  I had to stop doubting