Page 4 of The October Arrangement

“I can’t afford to buy you out, Scott!”

“I know. That’s why we’ll have no choice but to either sell it or shut it down.”

I swallowed hard as I stared at Sarah.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Kendra shouted.

“Because I’m taking my life back, Kendra. I’ll have my attorney contact yours.” Her office door flew open.

I stared at the half-edited photograph on my screen. A cinnamon-colored candle sat beside a perfectly styled mug of coffee with faux autumn leaves and the words: FALL IN LOVE WITH HOME.

Scott stepped out of Kendra’s office and stared at us. His face was red, and his jaw was tight. For one horrifying moment, my eyes met his. He inhaled a sharp breath, walked toward the front door, and slammed it behind him.

Sarah rolled her chair over to mine.

“Did he just say they’re closing the company?”

“Don’t, Sarah. Just don’t.”

“Bella, you heard it.”

“Maybe he didn’t mean it. Maybe once he cools off, he’ll change his mind.”

“We are so screwed,” Sarah said. “I can’t afford to lose this job.”

“Me either.”

I’d been at Hearth & Harbor for four years. I’d started as a marketing assistant and worked my way up to social media and content manager. I’d built their Instagram account from practically nothing. I’d photographed hundreds of products, worked weekends at launches, answered comments at midnight, and spent entire days filming thirty-second videos that people scrolled past in two seconds. I loved it. I loved what I did. But most importantly, I needed this job. My rent wasn’t going to stop being due because my bosses had decided they couldn’t stand being married anymore.

Two Weeks Later

It had been two weeks since Scott told Kendra he wanted a divorce, and she never mentioned a word to us. Every day, we come into the office, sit at our desks, and do our jobs, wondering if it would be our last day.

I had just set my purse down when Kendra walked out of her office and asked us all to meet her in the conference room. A sickness rose in my belly, and I thought Sarah was going to have a panic attack.

The five of us took our seats in the conference room while Kendra sat at the head of the table.

“I have some very unsettling news,” she said. “I’m closing Hearth & Harbor.”

“You can’t!” Sarah blurted out.

“I don’t have a choice. Scott and I are getting divorced, and I can’t afford to buy out his half of the company.”

“Can’t you take out a second mortgage on your home or something?” Megan asked.

“No. We’re overextended as it is. So, I have no choice but to let you all go. With that being said, I will write nothing but the highest recommendations for all of you.”

“Are we at least getting severance pay?” Sarah asked.

“Unfortunately, no. I can’t afford it. You’re all aware that Hearth & Harbor took a major hit this year with the economy. I’m really sorry.”

“So, what are we supposed to do?” Megan asked.

“Find another job. I’m sure you’ll have no problem.”

“But as you said,” I interrupted. “This economy sucks right now. Jobs aren’t easy to come by.”

“I’m really sorry. There’s nothing else I can do,” Kendra said. “You may go pack up your desks now.” She stood and walked out of the conference room.