“I’ll take the call,” I snapped. “Tell everyone I’m on a call and I am not to be disturbed.”
She bobbed her head. “Okay. I mean, yes. I’ll do that.”
She left and closed the door behind her. I felt rabid. I was pissed and cranky and taking it out on everyone else. I snatched up the phone. “What?” I asked.
“I need to know when you’re going to be in the office,” she said. I sensed the same irritation in her voice that I felt.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I’ve got people who have been trying to get a meeting with you all week. I don’t know what your schedule is. You haven’t told me. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
I rubbed my eyes. “I don’t know.”
“I need to know when I can schedule these meetings,” she insisted.
“I don’t know!” I growled. “I am trying to sort through this mess. I don’t know when I will have time to take a meeting!”
“What do you want me to tell them?” she snapped. “You’re too busy.”
“Yes, actually, that works. Tell them I’ve got my hands full. Tell them I’m incompetent.”
There was a pause. “Is that real or are you being sarcastic?” she asked.
I blew out another breath. “Tell them I’m out for the week,” I said. “Do your damn job.”
I hung up the phone and ran my hands through my hair. This was not working. I was losing money every hour I sat in this damn office and stared at paperwork I didn’t understand. I was going to end up getting sued or getting the people who trusted us with their taxes sued.
“What a fucking mess,” I muttered.
I got up and rolled my shoulders. I could feel the tension in my neck and shoulders, and it was still early. I was going to age twenty years in just one week. I’d stepped in the shit this time. I could just imagine what my father would say if he could see me now. I fucked up. I fucked myself. I shouldn’t have bitten off more than I could chew. I got ahead of myself and I was going to pay a high price for it.
I heard the door open. “Not now,” I barked without turning around to see who it was.
I heard someone clear their throat. “Should I come back later?” Saige asked.
I whipped my head around to find her standing partway in the door. I wasn’t going to let her know I was flustered. I straightened my tie and ran a hand over my head to make sure my hair wasn’t sticking up. I was not going to give her the satisfaction of knowing she’d left me in the lurch.
“Did you need something?” I asked as coolly as possible.
“I was hoping I could have five minutes of your time,” she said.
I took a seat and gestured for her to take a seat as well. “What’s on your mind?”
“How are you doing?” she asked.
“Why? What did they say?”
“Who?” she asked with confusion.
“Them. All of them. What did they tell you?”
“I don’t know who you are talking about, but no one has said anything. I’m asking how you are doing?”
I studied her, trying to determine if she was being sincere or if she was there to rub it in my face. “I’m doing fine,” I said. “Why?”
“I was just asking. I was wondering how things were going here. You seemed concerned last week.”
“I’m fine,” I said again.
“I’m not an idiot,” she said. “I see the paperwork. I can see the look on your face. Things aren’t going well, are they?”
“It is no concern of yours,” I spat back. I was not going to let her see me sweat. No way would I let her think she was somehow winning this little game she was playing. Show no weakness. That was my motto.
“I’m not here to lecture you or rub it in your face,” she said.
“There is nothing to rub in my face,” I told her, doing my best to sound nonchalant.
“You’re lying,” she said. “I can see it in your face. I’m looking at that form right there, and I know it should have already been filed. Swallow your pride and admit you need help.”
“We’re going to be fine,” I insisted. “It was somewhat rocky, but we’re getting through it.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. You need help.”
“And I’m actively seeking to hire someone to do that. For now, it’s me, and contrary to what you might