A Fortunate Arrangement

He went into his office, which was darker than usual. Normally, Felicity turned on his lights and computer before he arrived. This morning, he had to do it himself. When he did, he realized she hadn’t gotten his coffee as she usually did. He didn’t blame her for that either.

Austin had never expected these little niceties, but he had appreciated them. It was also quite possible that he’d taken them for granted. Just like he’d taken her for granted, even though he hadn’t done it on purpose. He’d been inadvertently careless.

Just like he’d been with her heart after the gala...and all the times that had led them to that moment.

After he turned on his computer, he set out for the break room. Felicity wasn’t at her desk when he passed by, but she was there when he returned with two cups of coffee in hand. One for her and one for himself.

The selection of mugs in the break room was eclectic. He handed her the mug that said You Are My Sunshine and kept the one with Snoopy lying atop his red doghouse. It would’ve been more appropriate if he’d been in the doghouse, but close enough.

“I made the coffee myself,” he said, striving for a light tone. “It may not be as good as yours.”

“Thanks, Austin,” she said. “I’ll show you and whoever replaces me how I make it before I leave. That way you’ll both know. But in the meantime, we need to talk about other things.”

Austin watched her pick up her coffee cup and a piece of paper off her desk. Then they walked silently to his office together.

She sat in the same chair that she’d sat in that first day that she’d given him her letter of resignation. He’d barely had time to sit down in his chair before she handed him the paper she held.

“This is my official two weeks’ notice. The first letter I gave you was a little vague. It didn’t have a date for my last day, but this one does. Now that the charity ball is behind us, I can start wrapping up other projects and you can start interviewing for my replacement. Though it might have been a good idea if we had done that earlier so he or she could’ve shadowed me at the gala. But it is what it is.” She shrugged. “I’m graduating in two weeks and one day. Which means my last day at Fortune Investments will be the day before the ceremony.”

Austin frowned at the paper, reading everything she had just told him. “You’re still planning on interviewing with Miles for the advertising position, aren’t you?”

She took a deep breath and shook her head. “No, Austin. I don’t think so. It’s probably best for me to make a clean break. For us to make a clean break.”

“Felicity, please don’t feel like you have to bow out just because of what happened last night.”

“Last night was a mistake, Austin. You as much as said so in your note. By the way, thank you for the greenhouse, but I can’t keep it. I do hope you can return it. In fact, if you’ll let me know where you got it, I’m happy to see that it’s returned and your account is credited.”

“Felicity, please don’t—”

“No, Austin. I’m afraid I’m the one who needs to say please don’t. You made your feelings perfectly clear in the note. Let’s agree not to talk about it while I serve out my two weeks. I’m sure everyone will be much better off for it.”

* * *

After sorting through hundreds of résumés, narrowing the field and interviewing a dozen candidates, Felicity presented the final slate to Austin, allowing him to make the ultimate choice.

Austin chose a guy named George Daughtry.

A guy.

Not that gender mattered. Though, it was strangely gratifying that Austin had selected a guy. It felt less like she’d been replaced and more like he’d chosen the right candidate for the job. Because George had the strongest credentials.

Today was George’s first full day of work. It also happened to be Felicity’s last day.

While George had to work out a notice at his former job, he had come by after work so that Felicity could train him. Starting Monday, he would be on his own.

Felicity was graduating tomorrow and after the party her coworkers were throwing for her at four o’clock, she would be a free woman. She’d been so busy tying up loose ends at Fortune Investments—including writing a letter to Miles Fortune. She explained that while she appreciated his being willing to consider her for an advertising position, she thought it best if she moved on.