Page 82 of Love: Take Two

"So what's next?" she asks. I see the twinkle in her eye and know my poker face has failed me once again.

"I've been thinking about leaving Gehrig & Associates," I reply. It's almost a whisper, the first time I've said it aloud.

"Just thinking?" she pushes. I sigh in response.

"No. More than thinking. I've actually got my letter of resignation in my briefcase right now."

Jill pumps her fist.

"Atta girl. It's about time you left that place. You should've made partner ages ago."

"I know," I admit, nervously twisting my necklace. "But it's the devil I know. You know? It's not like there's any firm out there that's jumping to put a woman at the helm, let alone aBlackwoman. What happens if I leave and end up worse off than I already am?"

Jill's expression turns resolute. It's the look she gets when she knows she has a winning argument.

"Then you claw and fight your way to the top. You're too good to be stuck answering to the Conrad Gehrigs and Emmitt Wilsons of the world. You need to go somewhere that knows your worth."

We talk for a while longer and promise to do lunch, but her words stay with me the whole drive to my office. Is there anywhere that wouldn't make me have to prove myself all over again? Am I really willing to do that at this point in my career?

Or is there a third option I haven't considered?

"What was so important it couldn't wait 'til Friday's meeting?" Emmitt demands as he enters the conference room. "I've got lunch uptown with Brad from Cyan Pictures in an hour and a half."

When he takes a seat next to Conrad, I look them over. Their faces are cold and detached. Conrad's arms are folded. Emmitt is looking at his phone instead of at me. They don't respect me. After all this time and all the money I've made for them, it's clear they never will. I square my shoulders, certain of what I have to do.

"This won't take long," I begin, pulling out the already signed letter and placing it between them. "I am handing in my resignation, effective immediately."

That finally gets Emmitt's attention. He drops his phone in shock. Conrad is seething.

"What do you mean, you're resigning?!" he booms, but I don't flinch. I should've made this decision years ago.

"Just what I said," I answer simply. "Today will be my last day with Gehrig & Associates. You don't seem to value mycontributions to this firm; it's been three years since my last promotion. If there are no opportunities for advancement, it's time for me to move on to my next opportunity."

"Next opportunity?!" Conrad sneers. I smile; he's starting to sound like my echo.

"Do you really think we're going to let you just walk out of here with your clients? That there's anywhere you can go that we won't call and ruin your reputation first?"

Emmitt's smile is cruel, as if he can't wait to crush me.God, they're both so predictable.

"No, I don't. I think you'll do your best to blackball me. But it doesn't matter. I'm not going to work for another firm; I'm opening up my own practice."

Emmitt is almost purple with rage.

"And while I won't violate the non-solicitation clause in my employment contract, I have a feeling I won't have to once my clients hear I'm leaving. I don't just make them a lot of money; Iprotectthem. Icareabout them. Believe it or not, treating clients like people instead of ATMs engenders loyalty."

That last part was a bluff, but one I don't think is a long shot. I'm certain Tabitha will come with me—I just helped her boyfriend, after all—and I suspect several other clients will follow her lead. I figured it out in the car: I can't just leave this hellhole to get the same treatment across town. The only person I trust to know my worth is taking a stand against her asshole bosses right now.

I rise, leaving them at a loss for words.

"I'll go clear out my desk, gentlemen. Have a lovely day."

I speed past Elle's questioning gaze, straight into my office. The door's barely closed before I'm slumping against it.

Did I really just do that? Did I really just walk into the office and blow up my life? What isMamangoing to think?

Thoughts circle my head like sharks, and my heart races.

You are damn impressive, a sight to behold.