Once Upon a Dare (Risky Business)(51)

Natalia let out a short laugh and shook her head. “Trouble with the boss?”

Olivia felt herself turn bright red. She knew she needed to say something, but there was some sort of twelve-pound watermelon in her throat keeping her words at bay.

Natalia waved her hand in a careless gesture of dismissal as she smiled at Olivia. “Men. They always think they know what’s best for us. That they know what women want. And yet they are so rarely correct.” She leaned forward and looked directly at Olivia. “I’m glad you’re here, because I want you to work for me.”

Olivia blinked rapidly but felt unable to move. “Really?”

Natalia laughed again. “Really. I’ve been looking for someone to lead my Marketing and Consumer Insights group. It’s a new business unit for us, so you’d have complete freedom to build the department as you see fit, from the ground up. I think you’re perfect for it. The research in your presentation was absolutely convincing, and I like your style.”

Of all the ways Olivia had imagined this interview playing out in her head, she hadn’t anticipated this one. It was radically different from her first interview with Pritchard five years ago. But then, she reminded herself, she’d been fresh out of college then, not a woman with years of experience in one of the best advertising agencies around.

“I don’t know what to say,” Olivia replied. “It’s an incredible opportunity and I’m flattered you’d consider me for the position. I’m just not sure I’m ready to lead a whole department.”

“Nonsense,” Natalia said. She leaned back in her chair and studied Olivia, no doubt calculating her next words. “Modesty won’t get you very far in this business, Olivia.” Her stomach lurched as she remembered that Cole had said exactly the same thing to her once. “Jonathan Pritchard doesn’t hire incompetents. I know you led the team at PBA. Their loss is my gain. I fully expect you to be a good investment.”

“I’m sorry, I just—”

Natalia raised her hand, silencing Olivia before she could finish her thought. “You came to me. Don’t you think it’s because you knew I’d say yes?” She fixed her clear, forceful gaze on Olivia and smiled. “I’ve seen your work. Sign on with Vixen Enterprises and you will get the recognition you deserve. The recognition that so far, you have not gotten.”

Natalia’s words hit the mark, slamming through her with the force of cold, hard truth. If Pritchard truly valued her, she’d have Cole’s job and she wouldn’t be sitting there having this discussion in the first place.

Ugh. Cole. A wave of nausea rolled through her as she remembered their last terrible fight.

Natalia continued in her calm, steady voice, soothing Olivia’s nerves. Olivia could see why she’d been so stunningly successful. “Vixen is a publicly held company whose board of directors is almost exclusively female. Women do well here without interference. You could also help lead other young women in need of a strong role model. That, my dear, has been one of my own greatest joys working at Vixen, and I believe it’s something you would enjoy, too.”

Olivia squared her shoulders and drew a calming breath. She couldn’t argue with Natalia’s logic, and she really didn’t want to.

And besides, she desperately needed to get away from Cole and the toxic mess that PBA had become for her since news of her “partnership offer” had been announced.

What was she waiting for? All she had to do was say yes.

An hour and a half later, she found herself on a whirlwind tour of the Vixen offices. She matched the quick stride of her escort, nervous energy leaking from every pore on her body. Olivia smiled, drinking in the charged atmosphere of the busy office. It reminded her of her first walk through PBA. She’d been so young and hopeful and the office had seemed ripe with opportunity. Vixen had that same vibe and its own pool of bright-eyed young associates looking to make their mark in the city. Watching them, she could hardly believe how far she’d come.

Vice President. Not in a million years had she expected Natalia to offer her an executive position. It was a dream come true.

And she’d gotten the job without Cole’s help.

…

Cole sat at his desk, arms crossed, trying to figure out where the hell he’d gone wrong. Olivia’s resignation sat in front of him, a glaring reminder that he’d royally f*cked up. Again.

She hadn’t even bothered to tell him she was leaving. Jonathan had dropped that bomb, delivering a copy of the resignation letter himself. He hadn’t been pleased. Not that he’d risk the Vixen contract over it. No, that deal would close without a hitch. PBA would make a hell of a lot of money, but they’d lose one of their brightest minds in the process. Filling her shoes wouldn’t be easy. There was no one on the current team who was as experienced, dedicated, or creative as Olivia. Her departure would leave a gaping hole at PBA.

And it was all his fault.

There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Olivia was leaving because of him. She hadn’t said it, but she didn’t need to. Her actions spoke volumes. She hadn’t uttered a single word to him since their last fight. Hadn’t returned a single phone call, text, or even so much as looked at him in passing. As far as he could tell, she was ignoring his existence altogether. And as much as he hated to admit it, it hurt like hell.