"Things are changing in my life professionally and personally." Andi cast a glance toward me, but then turned it back to my brothers. "I'm just wanting to be ready for the next adventure, whatever that might be."
Inside I lit up as I realized she was essentially telling me that her next move in life would be alongside me.
32
Andi
I hadn't made the decision to resign before I entered the meeting, but as I listened and realized that with the issue with Chen done and Noah now free to do whatever he wanted, I wanted to be free to join him. I wasn't the type of person to throw away personal pursuits to follow a man, but I knew I wanted to go on the adventure that Noah had promised me three years ago when I first climbed on the back of his motorcycle. I had skills and experience, so wherever he ended up, I felt certain that I could find a place for me as well. Standing up in front of the Strong family, a family that I felt very close to, and telling them that I was ready to move on, had been bittersweet, and at the same time very freeing.
"I'm not so sure this place will function without you," Carter said.
I smiled, appreciating that he recognized my contribution to the company.
"I'm sure it won't," Noah said, flashing me a grin.
We were really going to do this. I had no idea what this was, but I was eager to start.
"It is fortunate that I feel you boys are ready to tackle the responsibility of running this company," Margaret said. "The way you were all working together and were able to use your unique talents to not just save the company from a takeover, but to expand it into other areas around the world very much pleases me." She took a minute to inhale a breath and I realized that Margaret was feeling emotional.
I reached into my bag and pulled out a tissue to hand to her. She nodded her thank you.
"Nearly a year ago I brought you all in here and told you of my plans to retire and my hope that you would all live up to the expectations and the potential I know you all had. And you have which means that I can now retire and know that Strong Incorporated will be well taken care of."
"What about Noah?" Hunter said.
"Whether Noah decides to join you, or go on his own, I have no doubt that when you are in need, he will be here just as he was here when we needed him against Chen." Margaret said. She turned to Noah. "I promised that when you finished with this project that I wouldn't pester you about joining the company. I'm going to break that promise just this one time and ask you to reconsider coming on board to the company. But I will also ask that the rest of you give him space to work on the projects that he enjoys and that anything he creates, even if it's used here in the business, that he be allowed to license elsewhere."
"It wouldn’t be very smart to let our competitors have access to technology that we use," Ryan said.
"There's plenty of computers out there that run the same software from a single company, so I don't see how it would be such a big deal," Carter said, and I was glad that he was supporting Noah and his dream.
"Have you even decided what it is you really want?" Hunter asked Noah.
Noah smiled but it wasn't that smart ass one he normally gave his brothers. It was content. "Yes, I have." He looked over at Margaret. "But I will have to think about your proposal before I can make a decision."
She nodded. "Well, that's more than you've given before."
"You know, Noah, you were talking before about not feeling like you'd earned a spot here, and if I did anything to make you feel like you weren't valued, then I'm sorry for that," Ryan said. "You are the youngest and so of course you were coddled and razzed the most, but if that came off in your thinking that we didn't respect you, then that was wrong. We all agree that without you, we may have lost the company to Chen, and none of us would've been able to look in Gran in the eyes again if that happened."
"I agree with all of that." Carter said.
Ryan and Carter looked over at Hunter who frowned at them. "What? It was never a matter of whether or not Noah had the talent. It was whether or not Noah had the maturity." Hunter looked at Noah. “This is the first meeting you’ve been at where you haven't been kicked back in your chair with your boots on the table, smirking at all of us like we were a bunch of stiff idiots."
Hunter wasn't wrong. Even so, Hunter wasn’t one to talk. "Says the guy who is running businesses outside this company and built a reputation on womanizing," I blurted out feeling like I needed to defend Noah, even though there'd been a time that I totally agreed with what Hunter had said.
Hunter's eyes narrowed at me. "But I was always here and did my job."
"You need to stop acting like children," Margaret said sternly. "Noah is a talented and a valuable part of the team, and it is true that his commitment to the company hasn't been what three of yours has been. And yes, he has given off the attitude of indifference. But it's also quite possible that his attitude was in part due to the fact that you all didn't give him the respect he deserved. Noah has certainly proven himself and he is sitting here as a member of the team showing respect to everyone here, so, surely you can do the same for him."
"You and I are a lot alike," Hunter said to Noah. "I'm just trying to save you time and disappointment. It doesn't do you or us any good to be here if you don't want to be. I think you did a fucking awesome job in saving this company, but it breaks my heart every time I look over you and you're playing some sort of James Dean misunderstood bad boy. Find yourself Noah and do that."
Noah nodded. "I will."
"Well, with that, I'm heading back to my office. Noah, if you wouldn't mind stopping by to see me before you leave, I'd appreciate it," Margaret said.
Margaret turned and started to the door, so I stood gathered my belongings and followed her out. She made her way to her office and I followed her there to wait until Noah arrived.
She sat behind her desk scanning the office before looking up at me. "It's hard to believe. I started from my kitchen table and now look where we’re at."