Wynn stopped at the specialty coffee place located not far from her house and went inside. Thank God it still looked the same. She smiled at Sally, the cute barista she’d once had a thing with, as she came to the counter holding a cup. It had been a while since Sally had done that. Wynn usually just got an evil stare from a distance. Maybe she was getting over whatever it was they’d had. Wynn had gotten past it long ago.
“Nonfat, vanilla latte, just the way you like it.”
She reached for the coffee. “Thanks.”
Sally moved the cup from her reach and then reared back, hurled it forward, and coffee spilled out of the cup. As if in slow motion, it hit Wynn just below her neck, splattering across her crisp white shirt.
“What the hell?” She pinched the button down between her fingers and pulled it away from her chest. It wasn’t scalding hot, but it was…ick. Thankfully, she’d left her jacket in the Jeep.
“You don’t get to come in here acting like everything is great when you fucking broke my heart.” Nope. Not over it.
“Jesus, Sally. What was that for?”
“Seriously? You break up with me through text, and you don’t know what’s wrong?”
A couple of people handed her stacks of napkins. She mindlessly took them and sopped up the liquid, making her shirt cling to her chest. The coffee-shop chatter was gone now, everyone in the place watching them, eyes glued to her, waiting for her response.
“What are you talking about? We haven’t gone out in months.”
One of the other baristas held up a phone, and Wynn read the screen.
I’m not going to be able to make it tonight.
But I bought a new dress.
I’m sorry. I have another commitment I forgot about.
Fucking ridiculous.
Maybe we should take a break.
She still had the text? Wow, that was some attachment for casual sex. Wynn had blocked Sally’s number from her phone and hadn’t been back to this particular coffee shop for at least six months after the first time Sally had doused her with coffee. Had she been waiting all this time to do it again? When Wynn had sent the text, she was confused about the situation, stuck in something she didn’t know how to end. Sally was awesome in bed, but she was also high-strung and hot-tempered. Wynn saw her temper often, having to tiptoe around her more than once. She just couldn’t take Sally’s short fuse any longer, so she’d done the cowardly thing and sent her a breakup text. It was a shitty thing to do, but her only option at that time.
She rushed out of the shop to her Jeep. She needed to find somewhere to change. The clock read eight thirty, so she was going to be late. She drove to her sister Suzanna’s house and knocked on the door lightly. It was still summer vacation for the kids, and Suzanna would be pissed if she woke them this early.
The door swung open. “Hey.” Suzanna smiled and then took in Wynn’s appearance. “What the hell happened to you?”
“Long story.” She pushed past her inside. “I need to borrow one of James’s shirts.”
“The barista didn’t like your message, eh?” Suzanna laughed. “I told you not to do it that way.” She led Wynn into the bedroom. “Why in the world did you go there for coffee this morning?”
“I wasn’t thinking about it.” She’d figured Sally would be over it by now. Sally must’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity.
“Exactly why you shouldn’t have gone out with her in the first place.” Suzanna took a powder-blue shirt from the closet, held it up in front of Wynn, and then put it back. “If you were in the right relationship, you’d be thinking about her every minute of the day.” She took out one that was pale pink. “This should work. I can’t help you with the bra, though.”
“That’s fine. It’s dry enough.” She took off her shirt. “I’ll just smell like coffee all day.”
“An ingenious new scent.” Suzanna smiled as she slipped the shirt from the hanger and handed it to Wynn. “You’re coming tonight, right?”
“Where?”
“Jordan’s fund-raiser? You and Carly always help, remember?”
Her mind was right there with Carly again after dinner last night, looking into confused green eyes, feeling the kiss that came next. She shook the thought from her head. “Right. I must’ve mixed up the dates.” She wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to see Carly again, that was for sure. Even if it meant tolerating Jordan. She finished buttoning her shirt and rushed to the door. “I gotta go. I’m already late for work. Big changes happening there.”
Suzanna followed her. “I hope you’re looking at the big picture and not just the near future.” Suzanna had always been good at offering advice and words of wisdom to Wynn when she was confused. “Remember, one step forward and two steps back is hard to overcome.”
“I got it.” She raced to her Jeep and stopped before getting in. “And no birthday cake tonight.”
Suzanna scrunched her eyebrows together. “Duh. Your birthday’s not until tomorrow.”
That was weird. Suzanna had actually forgotten her birthday, or was it just a guise to throw Wynn off? They would have cake tonight, and Suzanna would embarrass her as usual, but she would enjoy every minute of it because the whole event was created out of love.
* * *
When Wynn pulled into the parking lot of Sexton Technologies, Evelyn’s shiny black BMW took up Carly’s usual space. This was getting ridiculous. She had to take care of this situation before it exploded into a huge mess. Leaving Evelyn to deal with yesterday’s aftermath from the laid-off employees didn’t give her any more power than before.
She swung the leather valise her father had given her long ago in front of the badge reader by the door, and the light changed from red to green. She waited patiently for the doors to swing open. As she rushed inside and headed past the security guard at the entrance, she heard a loud, deep voice say, “Miss. I need to see your badge.” His eyes crinkled as he smiled. Large, coffee-stained teeth emerged from beneath a bushy white mustache as he waited. He looked familiar, but Wynn couldn’t place him. He must be new to the front-entrance security.
She glanced around the lobby to locate Jake, the usual thirty-something guard who manned the desk. “Isn’t Jake here?”
“No Jake. Just George today,” he said and raised his hand.
Irritated, she slapped the leather valise onto the counter, unzipped all the pockets, searched until she found her security badge tucked into one of the side slats, and flashed it at him.
“You should wear your badge around your neck.” He reached for the badge and inspected it thoroughly. “Company policy, ya know.”
“Right,” she said as he moved closer and draped the lanyard over her head. He probably thought this was some kind of security test. “You must be new.”
“Nope, not new.” He flipped the badge, making the picture face forward. “Getting ready to retire soon. Been with the company close to forty years. Just one more year until my pension kicks in.” He lowered his voice. “I hear some may not have that opportunity soon.”
She raised her eyebrows. “What have you heard?” It was hard keeping reorganization plans hush-hush. She should’ve known someone would leak something.
He pulled his eyebrows together. “Big reorg planned by that weaselly looking guy Davis.”
“Steve Davis?”
George nodded. “Never liked him.” He shook his head and flattened his lips. “Always in a hurry. Doesn’t hold doors for people.”
Davis had been gone since the workforce reduction last year. “You shouldn’t spread rumors like that.” She narrowed her eyes and quirked her lip into a half-smile. “I never liked him either.”
George grinned. “Lovely photo.” He pointed to the badge hanging from the lanyard around her neck. “Have a nice day.”
“You too,” she said as she glanced at him once more and still couldn’t recall ever seeing him before.
After she exited the elevator, everything seemed askew as she headed straight to her office. The wall colors were a ghastly blue and orange, something she’d changed as soon as she’d received her promotion to chief operating officer last year. Some expert who’d said blue was soothing and orange prevented people from milling in the hallway too long had specifically chosen the previous color. It was all a bunch of baloney, if you asked her. Neither color had ever prevented anyone from spreading gossip in the hallways. Probably how George heard the news about the big event coming soon.
She stopped short when she saw Katie, Evelyn’s assistant, sitting behind April’s desk. She checked her phone. April hadn’t messaged her saying she’d be out today.
“Where’s April?”
Katie pulled her eyebrows together as she glanced up. “I don’t know.”
Fuck. “Are you kidding me?” It wasn’t like April to disappear when things got tough, and April knew today was a big day. Besides, she’d never skip out on Carly’s reaction to the practical joke she’d pulled this morning with Shadow. Something bad must have happened overnight, or she must be really sick
“No. I’m not.” Katie stared at her over her glasses. “It’s not my day to watch her. Why don’t you call her?” Katie’s tone was low and smooth, as usual, and the permanent frown on her face clearly signaled that she didn’t give a shit. She never got flustered during any crisis.
What the hell was up her ass today? “I guess I’ll do that.” Wynn had learned long ago that Katie was much better as an ally than an enemy.
She trudged forward, pushed open the door to her office, and stepped into the room. Everything stilled around her, and she blinked. She glanced over her shoulder at the name plate on the door, which read EVELYN CANTOR, INTERIM COO. What the hell was going on? She hadn’t seen that sign since the previous COO left last year. April was continuing to play a magnificently cruel joke on her this morning. She had to give her credit for her originality, but today was not the day for it. She’d pay dearly for this.
Evelyn spun around in her chair. “It’s about time. We have a meeting with leadership in twenty minutes.”
She let out a laugh. “Right. This is a spectacular gag you and April have put on here.” She crossed the room and dropped her valise onto the desk. “You can get out of my chair now.”
Evelyn pulled her eyebrows together. “Are you crazy? I’ve put a lot of effort into acquiring this chair, and I’m not getting out of it for anyone. Especially not an opportunistic bottom-feeder like you.”
Oh my God. Cutthroat Evelyn is back. She moved her valise into one of the chairs in front of the desk and said, “Okay, that’s enough. I’m always up for a good gag, but now you’re just being hurtful.”
Evelyn narrowed her eyes. “If you want this job, you’re going to have to rip it from my bloody hands. I’ve worked too hard to get here, and I guarantee I won’t let go of it easily.” She tucked her hair on one side behind her ear, which was longer, blond, and all one length again—one heck of a wig that looked absolutely natural. Once Wynn had gotten promoted over her, it seemed as though Evelyn didn’t give a fuck anymore. She’d stopped hiding her age—had chopped her hair off into a short cut and let the natural salt-and-pepper color take over. The look fit her so much better than this brassy blond one.
Wynn’s pulse raced as anger boiled inside. She was just about to fire off another response when she noticed the calendar on the desk. August nineteenth of the previous year. An anxiety attack on the way, Wynn’s vision blurred as she became more confused. “I think I need a drink,” she said softly as she slid into one of the chairs.
“That’s a daily need around here, so get used to it.” Evelyn gathered some documents from her desk and stood. “Did you familiarize yourself with the information I gave you yesterday?” She planted a hand on her hip. Wynn took in Evelyn’s clothes. She hadn’t seen her in that navy, career-centered, Anne Klein suit in…forever.
Somehow she’d been catapulted back in time. Was she dreaming? She pinched her leg. Ouch. Not dreaming. What the hell had happened on this day last year? Jesus—it was the day she’d become chief operating officer—the day she’d thrown Evelyn under the bus to get ahead. She nodded as she scoured her memory. She couldn’t remember everything about the meeting with leadership they’d had that day, but at least she had an idea.
“Where’s the presentation?” Evelyn’s voice blew through her thoughts.
“Oh, it’s on my laptop,” she said, still bewildered. “Which is in my office?” She wasn’t sure of anything and everything right now.
“Well, go get it.”
“Right.” She stood, grabbed her valise, spun around, and rushed down the hallway to her old office. Holy hell, she hoped it was there, or this pivotal scene in her life would end badly this time. She pushed the door open to the much-smaller, windowless office and sped to her desk. She blew out a breath in relief. Thankfully, her old laptop was here.
She opened the top and logged in. The presentation she’d collaborated with Evelyn was on the computer desktop screen right next to the folder labeled MISCELLANEOUS FILES, which contained the alternate presentation Wynn had created alone. She slapped the laptop closed and rushed back to Evelyn, who was waiting for her at the elevator.
“Ready?” Evelyn fidgeted as the elevator doors opened.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” She stepped into the elevator behind Evelyn.
“Just take a breath and follow my lead. It’ll all be fine.” Evelyn spoke so calmly, Wynn remembered wondering at the time if Evelyn had two personalities: the raging bitch-of-a-boss one that she’d seen a few minutes ago in her office and this calm, collected one she was experiencing right now. She remembered finding out that afternoon that Evelyn had more than two personalities to deal with. Definitely a day to remember.
At the time, other companies had poached several of their top IT developers whom they had educated and groomed once they’d gained the knowledge and experience they needed. Evelyn planned to increase developer salaries once they were through the training phase and then incentivize employees to remain with the company by providing profit sharing as well as substantial merit raises each year for those employees who excelled at their jobs and had gone above and beyond. Outsourcing their IT support desk had been one of the solutions Wynn had proposed, but Evelyn had nixed that idea right away and opted to go with the process-improvement plan she’d received from the IT support manager.
The content looked familiar to Wynn as Evelyn started to click through her presentation to reorganize the company, implement increased employee education, and promote process improvement to leadership. She had to admit these were actually some very good ideas, and if the company had implemented them the previous year at that time, revenue would’ve increased. With that in mind, Wynn most likely wouldn’t have faced the layoff she’d had to perform yesterday.
Still confused about reality, she ran through the day in her head. This must be some kind of a lessons-learned dream.
Evelyn’s presentation received the same underwhelming response it had the last time. From the moment she started talking, the executives’ flattened lips and minimal smiles made it clear they had concerns. Spending money to save money would take time, and leadership wasn’t on board with that. They wanted savings now, and they made that fact perfectly clear.
She followed Evelyn out of the office. “Well, that went over like a flat, warm beer.”
“You didn’t give me much support in there.” Evelyn sounded angry.
“What could I say? Just give her the money and everything will be all right?”
“Yes. You could’ve said exactly that.” Evelyn’s voice rose as she paced faster down the hallway to her office.
She shook her head as she followed Evelyn, trying to keep up. “But it’s not true.” She stopped at the doorway. “We don’t have time to recoup any money we spend. Not with your plan, anyway, and they know that.”
“I suppose you have a better one?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Only the one you rejected.” She turned and went a few doors down the hallway to her own office. She didn’t tell Evelyn, but she was going to present her ideas whether Evelyn approved or not. Her methods were very different, and Evelyn would oppose her with all her power.
Wynn sat down in the chair behind the desk and studied her surroundings. The same picture of her niece and nephew was propped up facing her on the corner. Their innocence shone through as they smiled brilliantly in front of the tall, long-legged giraffe in the background. It was one of many trips to the zoo she’d taken them on, a beautiful yet painful reminder of how much love a family could hold. Her heart contained much more love to give, and she’d always planned to have children of her own someday. Lately she’d been unsure of that capability.
It couldn’t happen without the right partner, and no one she’d dated seemed to fit into the perfect category. Visions of her sister-in-law, Carly, floated through her mind. Maybe her standards were too high. Clearing the thoughts from her head, she took in a huge breath, relaxed into her chair, and let her mind fill in the gaps of today’s events as they had happened before. Her next move had been pivotal in her career. Her fingers whizzed across the keyboard as she searched the files and pulled up the presentation she’d created. She made a few changes—tweaks to the numbers from knowledge she’d gained since then. Other than that, she was going to let this dream, or whatever it was, play out exactly as it had in the past.
She glanced at her watch and closed the laptop. It was time. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she pushed through the chief executive officer’s door and found him and the chief financial officer waiting to listen to her ideas. Once inside, she reminded herself that she’d presented to leadership dozens of times over the past year and met with the CEO on a regular basis, and her anxiety calmed. She’d anticipated the types of questions they would pose and had prepared responses for each of them. Her confidence level at a high, she was fully prepared to field any other questions they had.
They’d received her presentation with trust and confidence. Leadership respected numbers, and she’d supported her idea with both real-time savings and future increased revenue. She’d suggested that an immediate reduction in workforce would guarantee a quicker, more discernible way to recoup the losses they’d experienced over the past ten years under the skewed direction of the previous COO. Plus, she’d added a few new slides addressing the direction the company should take within the next year, something she’d learned from her experience living the following year. Weren’t dreams supposed to give us a chance to change the future and our destinies?
Wynn had just relaxed behind her desk when Evelyn barreled through the door, just as she had the last time. “What the hell did you do?” Evelyn’s face was turning redder by the second.
“I proposed another solution.”
Evelyn scowled. “The one I rejected.”
“Leadership liked it.” A warm feeling of satisfaction coursed through her.
“Do you know how many people are going to lose their jobs now?”
That must mean they’re going to go with it. She tried to conceal her smile. “It had to be done. Otherwise there’s no money.”
“Oh my God, you are so naive. You’ve just suggested we lay off most of our workforce. Who do you think that’s going to fall to now?”
“My plan doesn’t suggest we cut everyone.”
“You just shot loyalty out of the water. Those employees that are staying will leave soon enough if we pile all the work on them. Deadlines will be impossible to meet with minimal resources.”
She honestly hadn’t thought that part through. “Then we’ll hire new people or outsource.”
“Who’s going to train them?” Evelyn paced the room. “And just wait for the lawsuits to roll in.” She stopped, stared, and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Well, you’re in charge now. So you’d better make a plan.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re officially the new chief operating officer.”
“So you work for me now.” She’d forgotten how quickly the decision had been made.
“For the time being.” Evelyn floated a piece of paper across the desk.
“What’s this?”
“These are the people who have to go.” Evelyn spun to the door. “I’ll have my things moved into another office tomorrow.”
She glanced at the list Evelyn had left. The first name that caught her eye was George, the security guard. Her heart tugged as she remembered him saying he had one more year until he retired. She opened the desk drawer and jammed the list inside. She refused to think about that now. Just as before, the fallout would be massive.
She pulled up the calendar on her laptop. Tonight was Jordan’s fund-raiser. The text she’d received from her this morning made sense now. She glanced at her watch—close to four o’clock. She needed to rush home and get ready before this dream ended.