Twelve Nights Read online

  Samir leaned close and whispered, “You might want to mention the video to the group. Someone just asked Beryl about it.”

  “What’d she say?”

  “She told them to ask you.”

  Stunned his first staff meeting would start off on this awkward note, he dared to glance Beryl’s way. Her hazel-green eyes regarded him with an I-told-you-so stare.

  He scanned the other board members. They silently watched him, too. Not like he was a leader. More like he owned them an explanation.

  Beryl’s insistence this morning ate away at him. A taste of crow wasn’t his favorite meal.

  He reached deep, knew he could fix this. “Good afternoon.” The chatter died down. “I hope you all enjoyed the gala. I know I did.”

  Most nodded, a few mumbled words of agreement.

  “One quick item, before we get started. It appears many of you might have seen the video on the Internet about an incident that happened this weekend.”

  Several staff members dropped their eyes to the table, others nodded, but most remained still as statues. Beryl held her chin high, didn’t even blink.

  He’d watched the video of the accident multiple times this morning. Each time she woke and her desire-filled smile fell upon him, his heart expanded. He cleared his throat, but it did little to push away the deep emotion. “Many years ago, Beryl and I went on a few dates. It didn’t last long, and eventually we both agreed to go our separate ways.”

  Glances were exchanged, a raised brow or two.

  He avoided her gaze and plowed ahead, keeping his voice as even as possible. “Everything that happened Saturday was a coincidence. We both live near Central Park, both happened to be out for a jog.” He inhaled. “As you could see, it took being knocked unconscious for her to respond to me the way she did.”

  Chuckles from a few board members relieved the air’s tension.

  “Let’s file this under what a concussion can make someone do. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t perpetuate any rumors. Most of all, let’s be thankful our CFO wasn’t hurt worse. Anything you’d like to add, Beryl?”

  “Thank you, Erik.” She glanced around the room with a neutral expression. “You’ve all known me for some time. A snippet from a video doesn’t show the whole story, and I hope to have your support at not making this worse than it already is.”

  Several of her colleagues responded with words of encouragement, and she finally smiled. A force inside him stirred.

  “Okay, let’s officially start this meeting.” Erik had never wanted to grab the reins of control more than he did at this moment.

  For the next hour, a lively round table discussion ensued. With a few exceptions, the team of professionals Saul left behind proved top-notch. Especially Beryl. She wasn’t just a financial guru; she understood how a business should operate. Certainly not someone who should appear on his short list of positions he planned to replace.

  He bit back anger at himself. Impulse. Toxic as the arrow piercing Achilles’ heel. Gut instinct had served him well in the business world. The reason why he hadn’t hesitated to tell his buddy Matt that, once he got settled here, the job of chief financial officer would be his. Only Erik would be the first to admit he often confused impulse with good gut instincts, the subtle difference obvious when he’d slow down, use his brain.

  Those damn quick decisions had backfired on him before. Like accepting the job in London. Never had he thought Beryl wouldn’t concede, join him, and be happy at his side, despite her outspoken concerns.

  He leaned back in his chair, only half tuned into a conversation on marketing strategy. Many years ago, Beryl had forfeited their life together to attain this level of achievement.

  If he fired her, would she view it as corporate gamesmanship or payback for breaking his heart?

  Chapter 4

  On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me—

  Four books with words. . . .

  Beryl spotted Darcy rushing across the lobby, her dark hair rustling with each quick step.

  “I’m starving.” Darcy hoisted her purse on her shoulder as she neared. “Should we go to the usual?”

  “You mean the deli?”

  “No, I meant the salad place.” She furrowed her brows. “Guess we have more than one usual, huh?”

  Beryl chuckled. “I think we do.”

  They headed for the lobby’s revolving door, exited onto the busy sidewalk, and merged with the lunchtime crowd.

  Darcy glanced at Beryl. “Did you hear the rumor?”

  “The one where I’m on a list of people who might be let go?” Beryl picked up her step to cross Thirty-Fourth Street before the crosswalk sign changed.

  “So you did.” Darcy dodged someone crossing the opposite way, then rejoined Beryl’s side. “Maybe it’s not true, just speculation.”

  “Let’s hope so. I heard Simon Cook and Jonathan Diaz might be asked to go, too.”

  “Saul was one step from getting rid of both of them anyway.” Darcy shrugged. “Have you thought about calling the recruiter who contacted you last month? Just in case?”

  “No. I guess that wouldn’t be a bad idea, but it feels so premature.”

  “True.” Darcy shook her head. “Makes no sense. Erik would be a fool to let you go. Even though, from what you’ve told me, he did it once before.”

  “Yeah, and remember to keep the nitty-gritty details to yourself. Erik admitted to the board that we dated, but not how serious it was.”

  “Did Saul know about you guys dating?”

  “Not from me. The Boston office and New York office weren’t as connected in those days. Besides, we were too low in the company to have Saul’s attention back then. And Erik left for a competitor several years before I was asked to join the New York staff.”

  “Hmm.” Darcy stared straight ahead.

  “Hmm, what?”

  “Wouldn’t Erik have checked out the top tier of management before accepting the position?”

  “Beats me. I would have.” Beryl pulled open the restaurant door, yet the idea of Erik rubbing his hands together while he decided to fire her and put his own guy or gal in the CFO job sat in her stomach like a lead weight.

  As they got seated at a table, Darcy lowered her voice. “Maybe he’s uncomfortable having you around because he still has some feelings for you.”

  “That ship left the dock ages ago.” The remark tweaked a sensitive nerve, but Beryl shimmied off her coat and grabbed a menu as though it didn’t matter.

  While they quietly studied their menus, Darcy’s remark burrowed beneath Beryl’s usually thick skin. After losing her mother, Beryl had become an expert at deflecting pain. Erik’s acceptance of that job had caused colossal pain. I want London more than I want you. No, he hadn’t exactly said it so plainly, but his actions screamed the message. She’d shielded herself by working non-stop, refused his calls. All to lessen the throbbing ache inside her chest every single morning when the alarm went off.

  Beryl made a selection just as “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” began to pipe through the speakers, adding more holiday spirit to the place than the small fake tree near the register. If Pop were still alive, this would have been the weekend she’d drive up to help him choose a tree and decorate.

  The waiter took their orders. As soon as he left, Darcy rested her elbows on the table and crossed her arms. “Back to Erik.”

  “Must we?”

  “Yes. On the video, he sounded truly worried about you.”

  “Maybe he acted that way because of guilt over his plans to replace me. Firing an injured person wouldn’t reflect well on him. So, got any weekend plans?”

  Darcy rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll stop talking about him. Yeah, my sister’s coming into the city to check out the department store window displays and shop. Want to join us?”

  Beryl planned on writing for two days straight, much needed time on her current manuscript. These wer
e the times she regretted not sharing the writing career with her friends.

  “No, thanks. I’ve ordered most of my gifts online and I’ll catch the windows another weekend. I may contact a real estate agent in Northbridge this weekend, try to set up an appointment to meet during Christmas week. It’s time to think about what to do with my dad’s house.”

  “Are you really serious about selling?”

  “I’ll find out what the place is worth, any work that should be done if we do want to list it. So please, thank your mom for the invite that day, but let her know I have other plans.”

  “Sure. But you’re going there alone?”

  “I asked Skyler to fly up with her family, but it’s tough with little ones.” The music switched to Elvis Presley singing “Blue Christmas.” With any luck, it wasn’t a sign about her holiday.

  “Want some company there over the holiday weekend? We could use a trip to the country. Last time we went, Will couldn’t stop talking about the place.”

  Beryl’s spirits lifted. “Sure. Let’s go skiing again. Bring your skates, too. The lake should be frozen.”

  The restaurant door swung open, sending in a gust of wind. Erik entered with two other VPs from Global. He ran a hand through his windblown, wheat-colored strands, and his rugged cheeks emitted a cherry-red glow. The three men laughed loudly.

  “Great. Guess who’s here.” She motioned to the door with her chin.

  Darcy peeked over her shoulder.

  The men headed for a free table while Erik browsed the room. His gaze landed on Beryl, the smile slipping from his face. An unexpected softness took its place, making her turn away. Being angry with him was easier.

  The past four days, she’d avoided him at all costs. Once even jumping into a dark office until he passed the doorway and rounded the corner, simply to avoid a conversation.

  He hung his black coat on a wall peg and headed their way.

  “Shit,” she whispered to Darcy. “He’s coming over.”

  “Be nice.”

  “Hi, Beryl.” Erik stopped near their table.

  “Hello.” It came out like a chirp, a little snarky, mixed with forced niceness. Darcy kicked her under the table.

  “Must be a busy week. I haven’t seen you since the board meeting.”

  “Getting ready for year-end. You know what that’s like.”

  He nodded, slowly, as though maybe he’d seen her sneak off to one of those hiding spots.

  Beryl motioned across the table. “Have you meet Darcy Constantino yet?”

  “As a matter of fact, we met yesterday when I spoke with human resources. Good to see you again, Darcy.”

  “You, too. My staff enjoyed your visit.”

  “Great. Me, too.” He turned his attention back to Beryl. “Any chance we can talk later today?”

  “Sure. When?”

  “How’s around five?”

  “I’ll be there.” A nervous ping ricocheted around her gut, the ink barely dry on those rumors. An end-of-the-day visit was a perfect time to fire someone. “Need me to bring anything specific? Reports? Other items for our discussion?”

  “No. We just need to cover a few things.”

  Although Beryl worked hard to keep her face neutral, she withered inside.

  “Sir, excuse me.” Their waiter hovered behind Erik with the tray of food.

  Erik glanced back. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’ll let you ladies eat. Beryl, see you at five.”

  The apple, cranberry, and turkey salad she’d looked forward to lost all appeal. Erik crossed the room, his strut confident, and the axis of her career in the palms of his hands. A vulnerable sensation seized her chest.

  Darcy touched her hand. “Oh, God. Five o’clock. You don’t think . . .”

  Beryl’s gaze drifted to the table where the three men talked as weakness transformed into rage. She gripped the edge of the table. “He’s got some nerve waltzing into Global and getting rid of me this fast.”

  “If you’d known two months ago this was going to happen, you could’ve gone on the interview when the search firm called.” Darcy laughed, a short little toot. “Then you’d be dumping him right now. Disappearing before he gets a chance to pick your brain about the department.”

  Beryl averted her eyes from Erik, back to her friend. “Did I tell you where the recruiter wanted me to interview?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “The same firm our esteemed president just left.”

  “No!” Darcy’s eyes popped from her face. “If you went there, wouldn’t that be a serious slap across the face?”

  Beryl transformed from victim of circumstance to someone who shaped her destiny. “It would, indeed.”

  * * * *

  “Is it a good time or would you like me to come back?” Beryl stood at Erik’s doorway, arms crossed and knee bent. Serious angry body language, although he wasn’t sure why.

  “It’s a good time.” He put down the severance contract and slipped off his reading glasses, carefully avoiding his craving to check out her legs. “Shut the door behind you, and take a seat.”

  She did as asked, scanning around the room as she approached. Her black knit dress wasn’t clingy but managed to showcase curves he once knew intimately. Tasteful gold earrings. A colorful silk scarf. Pale red lipstick. All part of the package that had drawn him to her. The same effort and pride she displayed in everything she touched.

  “You’ve decorated.” She met his gaze. “Modern. Quite a change from Saul’s old-world tastes.”

  “Yes.” His face warmed, guilty with non-business related thoughts. “Would you like anything before we start?”

  She settled into the chair, folded her hands on her lap. “No, thanks.”

  Her gaze dropped to the severance contract for Simon Cook. Erik pushed the document to the side, and her eyes followed the paper. He flipped it over. She pursed her lips and looked him right in the eyes with a defiant glare. A scowl he’d been privy to during the rare arguments they’d had when living as a couple.

  He shifted in his seat and leaned forward. As her superior, he still had control of this conversation. Didn’t he? “First of all, your knowledge about the company at our staff meeting on Monday left me impressed. You’ve really come a long way.”

  “Oh?”

  “You seem surprised.”

  “Only surprised you noticed.” She tucked a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear, then crossed her arms.

  He’d lived with her long enough to read her body language, to know that she had much more on her mind. “Why would you say that?”

  “You barely uttered a peep whenever I’d contribute.”

  Because she’d left him awestruck one minute, then filled with shame the next. Conflicting emotions that he’d struggled with each time she spoke, leaving him speechless as a ventriloquist’s dummy tucked in a trunk. “I was a little off during the meeting.” He grinned, searching for a way to ease his own tension. “A video of me went viral that day and . . . Well, let’s just say it left me a bit unhinged.”

  “You? Unhinged?” She uncrossed her arms. “It didn’t show.”

  “Good, because it felt ridiculously transparent. File that one under things you don’t want to happen on the first day in a new job as company president.”

  “Probably wouldn’t want it on your second day, either.” She smiled naturally for the first time since arriving.

  Tension in his neck lifted. Maybe this conversation would go better than he’d thought. “How’ve you been this week? I mean, from the accident?”

  “Better, thanks.”

  “Be careful. The doctor said not to push yourself too hard.”

  “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m quite capable.”

  “I worry because I care.”

  She studied him, strategy in her eyes, but her lips pressed tight.

  “It’s clear we have some unfinished business after our conversation o
n Monday.”

  “Okay.” She folded her hands onto her lap, but her tight jaw hinted that he’d struck a nerve.

  “Working together again, especially in this capacity. It’s awkward. For both of us.”

  “Yes. So what would make it easier? If one of us was gone?” She cocked her head and narrowed her eyes, the determined stare of someone looking for a fight.

  Erik digested the remark, tempting as bait in a mousetrap. The day he’d accepted the job across the Atlantic, it had ignited a ticking bomb. A bomb that never went off. Beryl had turned a cold shoulder to him, thrown items into her suitcase, refused to listen to reason. She’d left, taking any possible fight with her.

  “Well?” Beryl’s agitated voice broke his trance. “Is that what you want?”

  “One of us gone? No, I was going to suggest a truce. In our current roles, it’ll be easier if we do. Oh, and I’m sorry I didn’t disclose everything about what happened at the park. It was to spare you the embarrassment.”

  “I see. Well, thank you for sparing me.”

  Her crisp tone rattled his already shaky cage. “Your suggestion for damage control on that video was a good one. One I first ignored and I again hope you’ll forgive my hasty reaction.”

  “Of course.”

  “My explanation to the board should make a clear statement that neither of us wants to renew our past.” As the words exited his mouth, he wanted to suck them back in, although he wasn’t even sure why.

  “Let’s hope,” she said quietly, with the earlier traces of composure gone. “Is that all you wanted?” Her gaze again landed on the severance package.

  Erik worried she knew something, although the VP of human resources had assured him the utmost secrecy with regard to the layoffs. The executives who would be receiving these packages deserved better than to learn this news through the gossip mill. She deserved better. “Yes. Unless you have anything else for us to discuss.”

  “No.”

  “So, truce?” He extended his hand across his desk, met her wary gaze.

  Beryl stood, the tense lines of her face slightly more relaxed than when she arrived. She reached out and they slowly shook hands.