The Fixed Trilogy(Fixed on You, Found in You, Forever With You)(182)

He shrugged. “Waiting for you. And, yeah, Hudson told me about Japan.”

I flicked the office light on. “What? When?” I’d only found out about Japan that morning. I didn’t even want to acknowledge the first part of his statement.

“About an hour or so ago. He wanted to make sure we’d be covered without you.”

Hudson had already talked to David that morning? This day was getting more interesting as it progressed. “I haven’t said yes yet.”

“But you will.” He didn’t bother to hide the ache in his voice.

I sank on the couch and rubbed at my forehead. “Is that the only reason Hudson called you?”

David sat on the front of his desk. “Actually, he didn’t call. He stopped by.”

“To tell you he’s taking me to Japan?” Hudson had said he had an early meeting. Why hadn’t he mentioned it was with David? Or was his encounter with David coincidental?

“No, to discuss some other things.”

Dread dripped into my veins. “Oh, really? Like what things?” I pretended to examine my nails, going for an aloof demeanor while really I was anything but. Which was silly, because there was no way Hudson would have talked to him when he’d promised me we could still discuss it first. Besides, David wouldn’t still be there if he’d been fired.

Still, I couldn’t help feeling anxious for David’s response.

He shrugged, and it felt as equal of a show of calm as the one I was giving. “He said he’s transferring the Party Planners deal to Fierce. Something about a conflict of interest.”

The knot in my stomach loosened, if only slightly. Of course. Hudson had to deal with Paul.

“He took all the copies of the contract.” David eyed me, searching for my reaction. “But he said you already knew all that.”

“Yeah, I did.” Boy, did I.

“Sorry you lost your deal.”

I sensed David was testing me, making sure Hudson wasn’t jerking around with my business just because he could. It was sweet, actually.

Also, totally unnecessary. “Nah, it’s fine. The more I got to know about the company, the more I realized it wasn’t a good fit after all.”

David’s shoulders should have relaxed, if I was reading him right, but they didn’t.

“And that’s all you and Hudson talked about?” I studied his expression carefully. “There’s more, I can tell from your face.” The ball of dread returned.

David came over to the couch and sat on the arm, facing me, with one foot on a cushion. “Well, I’m not supposed to tell you this until you get back from Japan, but I don’t feel good keeping a secret from you. Plus, I’m really excited and have to tell someone.”

“What is it?” My voice was barely a whisper, my hands white as I wrung them in my lap.

“He offered me a promotion.” His eyes twinkled, his excitement evident. “General Manager at Adora, his club in Atlantic City.”

My vision went black for half a second, and I had to lean back into the couch for support. “What did you tell him?” There was no way he couldn’t see me shaking, couldn’t hear it in my voice.

“I said, hell yes. Adora? That place is world famous.”

Or maybe he actually was oblivious to my devastation. And I was oh, so devastated. Not just because the thought of losing David was terrible, but because of what Hudson had done, when he’d specifically told me nothing had been decided yet. I wanted to throw up.

I focused on the more immediate situation at hand—convincing David to stay. “But we’re only getting started here. The Sky Launch could be the next Adora. With you and me—”

“I’m sure it will be the next Adora. Bigger even, with Pierce’s money and your ideas. But I’m not a guy who builds things. I’m a guy who runs things someone else has built. Adora is the biggest career move I could ever hope for.” He looked down at me sheepishly. “I’m supposed to start in two weeks.”

“That’s so soon. And you’ll have to move to Atlantic City.” My throat clogged with tears.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re going to miss me.” His tone was hopeful.

“Of course I’ll miss you, you dope.” I had enough control of myself to tack on a platonic addendum. “You’ve been such a great manager. It was really you who inspired me to want to stay in the nightclub business.”

“Really? I had no idea.” He moved to sit beside me. “I’ll miss you, Laynie. And not just because I have a big crush on you, but because you’re a good friend.”