“Director of International Expansion.”
“And I would report… to you?” she asks.
I nod again, sitting forward in my chair to subtly emphasize what I’m about to say. Margot needs to understand what she’d be getting herself into. It would be miserable for both of us if she accepted the position only to be caught off guard by its requirements.
“Yes, you’ll report directly to me and eventually oversee a staff of your own. We would need to work closely together, especially as we get this whole idea off the ground. We’ll also need to travel together at some point to meet with the Canadian company. Are you up for all that?”
Margot pauses, letting everything sink in. This would mean a lot of time alone together. Potentially traveling together. These are all things we’ve done before, but everything is different now. She needs to decide if she’s ready for all of this. Professionally, I know she is. Personally… well, that’s another story.
The air in the room feels tense. That’s not great. Despite her best attempts to remain neutral and professional, Helen watches both of us like we’re starring in a daytime soap opera. After the whole debacle with the board of directors, I made damn sure that HR was aware of my relationship with Margot, even if it was over by then.
Hopefully, that won’t be the case forever.
“You don’t need to decide right now,” I finally add. “Take a week and think about it if you’d like. If this isn’t the right fit, there are plenty of other growth options here for you. As you already know, Chris has floated the idea of promoting you to manager of the accounts payable department.”
Margot makes zero attempts to disguise her contempt. She must really hate accounting.
Still, I don’t want this decision to be made out of a lack of options or a hatred for her current position. If this doesn’t work out, we’ll find her something else. She’s valuable to this company, and we don’t want to lose her.
I can’t lose her.
There’s a long, pregnant pause then Margot nods her head, slowly, contemplatively. Her throat bobs before she finally speaks. “I don’t need a week. I’d like to accept the position.”
My heart fucking soars.
We’ve made some progress since Garrett and Emma’s party, but only tentative little steps. But this—this feels like a giant leap in the right direction. I try and fail to tamp down my smile. Margot smiles back, a little wobbly at first then bright and full as her eyes meet mine.
The urge to hug her nearly overwhelms me, but that would be really weird with Helen sitting there watching us, so I clasp my hands on my desk and let the moment pass.
“That’s great,’ I nod. “Happy to hear it.”
Helen shifts in her seat and starts pulling out paperwork for Margot to sign. Once that’s done, she collects the pages in her folder and stands. “Alright, I’ll get this submitted today. The promotion should start showing up in the system next week.”
Margot and I both nod and thank her. Before leaving my office, Helen gives us one last, meaningful look. “And just so we’re all on the same page, your prior relationship is on record with HR, but any changes to the status should be reported as soon as possible.”
Great. Way to end things on an awkward note, Helen.
“Noted. Thanks, Helen,” I say instead.
This time, I take no chances, standing abruptly and walking Helen out of my office before she makes another uncomfortable comment. Closing the office door behind her, I walk back to mydesk and take a seat. Margot is still sitting there, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
“So, looks like we’ll be working together again,” I say.
“Looks that way,” she says with a smile that lands somewhere between coy and nervous.
“You’re sure you’re okay with this?”
She nods immediately.
“Because I meant what I said—we’ll find something else for you if this isn’t a good fit. This isn’t just me trying to force my way back into your good graces or—”
“Ethan,” she interrupts. “I know. I’m ready for this.”
I study her expression for a moment. “Okay.”
“Okay.”
This time, when Margot smiles at me, it’s genuine, relaxed. A quiet but tentative moment of silence washes over us. The start of something entirely new but also entirely familiar. The idea of a future where we work and smile and laugh together. And maybe eventually, it will become something more.