“Why don’t you come home early? Dressing up always relieves your stress. The new gown that’s been hanging in your closet for a month will be perfect for tonight,” he said.
“Oh, yes: the dress! A woman can’t have too many in her closet. And it always distracts an onlooker from noticing one’s jitters.”
Craig laughed. “Stop fretting. You are definitely a front-runner, if this promotion was fairly assessed on hard work and talent. No one is more dedicated to the Fashion Queen Magazine.”
“Oh, Craig, you haven’t met the dashing Steven. He is quite impressive.” She could not hide the lilt in her voice – the man’s charm was magnetic, even to her, his rival.
“I’ll see you later,” Craig said.
The phone went dead and she knew she’d hit on a tender spot with Craig – he was far too sensitive. Selene sighed as she replaced the phone in her jacket pocket and pivoted on her heels. The enemy stood not five feet away, flirting with a group of girls as they pasted glittery hearts on leaves that would eventually find their way onto the many wreaths displayed at windows. She was determined to stay focused and confident, raising her head high as she moved from the shadows into the limelight of busy chaos.
What should have been a perfect evening turned to disaster during the ten o’clock announcement. Selene had been flawless in conversations with colleagues in all divisions of the company. And Craig had praised her name to anyone who’d listen. She was gazing at him appreciatively, when Cherise took the stage. With bated breath she gripped his hand so tight, she saw the pink skin turn white under the pressure. Loosening her hold, she smiled at him and turned her attention toward the front.
“Thank you all for coming tonight to help me welcome in the next partner in the Fashion Queen Magazine. Hopefully, you have enjoyed the food from Kent’s Catering and music from the James Magowery Band.” She laughed in that teasing tone that Selene hated. “I have kept you all in suspense long enough. I am proud of both of the candidates. They’ve worked hard to achieve recognition from the lead team and my decision has caused me many sleepless nights. So, with no further ado, I would like to present the next boss who is moving upstairs, Steven Clarence.” She began to clap enthusiastically and the people looking on joined in.
All except Selene and Craig, who used both of his arms to keep her from collapsing on the floor. Her breathing was loud, and her heart surely thumped harder than the crowd’s applause. When she looked at Craig, she unloaded all the pain she was experiencing into her expression and watched his eyes fill with concern. He truly cared for her happiness. That acknowledgment collided with her anguish at losing the promotion, forcing tears to gather in the corners of her eyes. She bit her lip and held them back, just as she’d trained herself to do countless times before, knowing she’d chosen a tough profession, full of competition and disappointments. Not willing to reveal the weakness overtaking her, she squared her shoulders and refused to crumble under its power.
“Do you want to get out of here?” Craig asked.
“I need to congratulate Steven, and make sure Miss Queen knows that I appreciated being a contender for the position. No one appreciates a poor loser.”
“But you are,” he whispered in Selene’s ear.
A camera flashed and she grimaced. “Oh, dear, is my makeup intact?”
“You are perfect,” Craig said. She perceived annoyance in his tone. “And here comes your big chance to give your top performance of the day – the best suck-up ever.”
Selene grimaced and twisted in the direction of Craig’s nod, just in time to see Cherise coming toward her, grinning from ear to ear, on the arm of Steven, her newest conquest. The way he held her, so possessively, told the entire story of tonight’s choice, and Selene felt like vomiting.
Instead, she smiled – as graciously as her charade would allow. “Steven, congratulations on your victory.” He loosened the grip on Cherise and took the hand Selene offered.
“Jolly good of you to be in such good humor,” Steven said.
Selene felt Craig stiffen beside her. She hurriedly wrapped her free arm though his in order to silence what she predicted would be a tart response to the man who strutted his new title like a prize rooster.
Cherise Queen attempted to ease the tense emotions the encounter had produced. “Now don’t you become disheartened, Selene. It was the most difficult choice of my career, and you will certainly remain on the top of my list for future promotions.”
Somehow the affirmation did not dispel Selene’s disappointment. How could she be satisfied to return to that tiny office, and once again, put her dreams on hold?
“I appreciate your confidence in me, Miss Queen.”
“You’ve been working so hard,” the woman continued, and Selene dared to hope her sudden string of encouragement was because she knew, deep down, past all the female hormones, that Steven was the wrong choice for her business. “Why don’t you take some time off? You deserve it. And while you bask in the sun somewhere, think about poor Steven, who will not see daylight or vacation for a long time to come. Promotion comes at a cost. Enjoy your freedom for a little while longer.”
Craig spoke up. “Exactly what I’ve been telling her we need to do. And I know the very spot I will steal
