Bobby has agreed to let the story die out. There are people who will always think he and Eva were involved, but this is something he’s accepted, days ago, when Gina proposed this truce of sorts. Gina had been proud of him. Alice had been unimpressed—his guilt is indisputable, after all. It might not have been with Eva, but he still had an affair with a subordinate. And it’s not like he’s the one getting rape threats.
“Can we talk in private?” Bobby asks.
Not an unreasonable request, not to Alice’s mind. She had urged Gina to go over to Tish’s for a one-on-one with Bobby prior to this meeting (Bobby had moved into his mom’s house the day after the truth came out), but Gina had refused. Gina had claimed it was important to show unity, but Alice suspects she is afraid of changing her mind. Gina has come far, but confrontation will always be a foreign language to her.
“Let’s do this as a family,” Gina says. “This is about the company. We’ll discuss us some other time.” Gina doesn’t say in therapy, but Alice knows that’s what she means. Gina and Bobby have been going in for sessions three times a week in the city. Their therapist had been recommended by Cassie—Alice had asked her for a referral. Alice had also given a copy of Cassie’s latest book to Gina. Unironically, this time.
Bobby looks at Nick. “I suppose you’d take over.”
“Not me, Bobby.” Nick lifts both of his palms in the air. “I don’t want the job. And we both know I’m not cut out for it.”
Bobby frowns, then shifts his gaze back to Gina. “You’re not suggesting we allow Dad back in.”
“Not in the slightest,” Tish says. Her first words of the meeting. Alice is pleased to hear her sounding like herself again. She never thought she’d miss Tish’s imperious tone until she saw her looking so crushed. It had been a heartbreaking revelation, to see that even a woman as formidable as Tish could be broken by a man. “Not only will your father never be CEO again, he’s also about to lose his seat on the board.”
Nick nods. “We’re voting him out, as agreed.”
“And you, Mom?” Bobby looks at Tish. “You want me to resign?”
“I trust Gina.” Tish’s lips are flat, her expression inscrutable. When Alice and Gina first approached her, she had flat out refused to back them. It had been impressive, watching Gina convince her. Like watching a kitten win over a tiger.
“You’d rather have an outsider running the family business?”
“Alice will take over as CEO,” Gina says.
“Alice?” Bobby utters her name like Gina has just suggested Minnie Mouse take over Alma Boots.
“Don’t act so surprised, Bobby,” Alice snaps. “I had a career before moving to Alma.”
“No offense, Alice,” Bobby begins. “But running Alma Boots is no small feat.”
“I’m under no such illusion, Bobby. And I’m up for the challenge.” Alice matches his gaze. She’s never lost a stare down in her life. Bring it on. “And, like Gina said, I’m hoping you’ll stay on. I know you’re an asset to the company.”
“You want me to work for you?”
“Is the idea of working for a woman so horrifying?” Alice asks.
Her question renders him silent. Alice knew it would.
“It’s the best solution,” Gina says. “The company needs to move with the times.”
“Gina is right,” Tish adds. “Having a woman in power is just what we need.”
Bobby looks at Tish in dismay. “She’ll sell the company. It’s no secret she hates living in Alma. She’ll shut down the factory, let the town die.”
“I won’t,” Alice replies. “We’ll amend the Shareholders’ Agreement. As CEO, I won’t have the ability to approve strategic mergers. And a supermajority will be needed to sell shares.” Alice scans the room, making sure that everyone is with her. “And I don’t hate the town. I just don’t want to live there, which is why we’re moving to the city.”
Alice has already started looking into apartments for her, Nick, and Allegra. She is eager for a fresh start for them as a family. She and Nick will work on their marriage, they’ll find their way back to each other. Alice will take a couple of weeks off—a whole month if she has to—to get the help she needs to wean off the oxy. She’s already asked Jessie for a referral of a discreet rehab facility. Her friend had been supportive and, more importantly, entirely non-judgmental. Alice is looking forward to rekindling their friendship, especially now that they’ll both be career women. Alice will be the hardest-working CEO Alma Boots has ever had. She is aware of the enormity of the challenge she is taking on. She’s also aware of her competence and drive. She knows she can do this.
“But the CEO always lives in Alma,” Bobby says.
“The CEO is also always a man,” Alice counters. “Even though women’s footwear accounts for sixty-one point seven percent of our sales.”
“And if I say no?” Bobby asks.
It’s the question Alice has been waiting for. A bifurcation in their plan. Alice has no idea what to expect from Bobby. Part of her thinks he’ll side with Charles. If father and son present a united front at the board meeting, the four of them—Gina, Tish, Nick, and her—won’t stand a chance. And that’s assuming Gina is even capable of going against Bobby. But another part—a dormant, romantic part—thinks he just might say yes. Not because he sees the error of his ways—it will be a long time before he can grasp that, if ever—but because of how much he loves his wife. It is Gina’s most impressive quality: inspiring devotion from the people in her life. Even Tish adores her.
“Then you say no,” Gina says. Alice takes note of the vagueness of her answer. “But I’m hoping
