It won't be like this for long: Chapter 21
Chapter 21
On the ride home, Logan and Rory discussed the logistics for tomorrow. Rory told Logan that she would call Lane and let her know that Mia would not be helping her this week. Logan told Rory that he would take them to school while she caught the Helicopter to New York. Parker is going with Rory, so Logan will get Marybeth to pick the kids up. The conference room is ready.
After everyone was tucked away in bed, Rory snuggled up to Logan who was reading a book. He started to put the book away and she stopped him.
"No, just continue to read. I am comfortable just like this." Rory said. Logan continued to read until he heard Rory's breathing even out. He put his book down, turned off the light, and snuggled up to her.
Monday morning was chaotic. Rory couldn't find the suit she wanted to wear, Logan reminded her that she wore it the first of the week so it was probably still at the dry cleaners. They pick up and deliver on Monday. This put her behind. Now she had to find something else to wear.
Mia was moping around. She was going to make everyone late for school. Rory left ahead of Logan. He walked her to the door, telling her to text him when she got to New York. Rory tells Logan that when it was time to go and Mia was not ready, tell her he is leaving her, but that will tack on another week. Logan kissed her goodbye and told her she was not just pretty but smart too.
When Rory and Parker landed in New York, they were met by a car service to take them to Peaches and Cream Publishing. When they got to the executive floor, there was a reception desk as you got off the elevator. Rory was heading to the conference room when she was stopped by the receptionist.
"Ma'am, May I help you?" the lady asked. Rory stopped but before she could replay, Parker spoke up.
"This is Mrs. Rory Huntzburger and I am Parker, we are here to see Whitney. I believe we have an appointment. I confirmed it on Friday afternoon." Parker told her.
"Sorry, Let me show you the way to her office." She told them.
"That's okay, we can find our own way. Thanks for the help," Rory told her and she walked toward Whiney's office.
Whitney was not in her office when they got there. Rory went in and had a seat while Parker went to find coffee for them. Rory was not waiting long before she heard Whitney. Whitney did not see Rory sitting in her office. She came into the office and slammed the door all the while on her cell phone. Rory just sat there waiting. Before Whitney got to her desk, Parker knocked on the door. Whiney whirled around to see who was at the door when she saw Rory sitting on the sofa.
"Rory, I didn't see you there," Whitney told her as she ended the call on her cell phone and opened her office door to Parker standing there with two coffees.
"Parker, come on in. Parker this is Whitney. She is my book editor. Whitney, this is my assistant Parker." Rory introduced them to each other. Parker handed Rory her coffee and shook Whiney's hand.
Whitney sat at her desk as Rory and Parker sat on the sofa in the room. Whitney was nervous. Rory couldn't finger out why. She had worked with Whitney for several years.
"Whitney, would you like to tell me what this meeting is about?" Rory asked. "Parker called last night and said you insisted I come to New York. So here I am, now what can I do for you?"
Whitney was doing everything she could not to look Rory in the eye. She finally cleared her throat.
"I have enjoyed my job at P&CP. I have enjoyed working with you. As you know, I started here as an assistant to the editor of children's book. Onei Friday I was leaving the office. I had nothing to do that weekend, so I picked up a book that was on one of the senior editor's piles. She told me that anytime I wanted to take one home and read it would be okay. I just had to write her a review. I picked up Gilmore Girls. I finished that book before lunch Saturday. I wrote my summary and emailed it to Janice. I immediately sent her a text that she needed to read my summary. That I had found the author and book series that was going to put P&CP on the map. I was right. Within a year, I was promoted to a junior editor with 12 clients plus all the books being submitted. Not too many years after that. You became my only client." Whitney stopped to see if Rory was still listening.
"Whitney, I am aware of all of this. I am happy for you but I don't understand. Are you turning in your resignation?" Rory asked.
"No, I don't think so. I want to know where I stand. With Janice gone, Carolyn is temp Senior editor. I know that you offered her the job, but she told you she did not want it. That she was too close to retirement, but she would help train." Whitney said. She was now tapping her fingernail on the desk. A habit she picked up in grade school.
"Do you think you are up for the job?" Rory asked her. Whitney's finger stopped. She looked at Rory. "I know that you have the knowledge to do the job, Never doubted it. But can you command the respect you will need to do the job?" Rory asked. "Whitney, I like you. You are the one that gave me my break. I am proud of you and the job you have done for me. You are on the shortlist for Senior editor, but I have not made a decision yet." Rory told her. "But, I will tell you this. Being summoned to New York at the last minute for something that you and I could have discussed on the phone or that could have waited until the next time I will be in New York. I have meetings all day Thursday in New York. This does not shine favorably for you." Rory said as she stood up. "I will have Parker put you on the schedule for Thursday and we can forget all about this meeting today. Will that work for you?" Rory said. Whitney's face was pale. This was not the Rory that she had been dealing with. The Rory she knew was fun and laughable.
Rory and Parker went back to the elevators. Rory wanted to check in with Carolyn before heading back to Hartford. Rory and Parker were alone in the elevator. Parker took notes as Rory told him that she wanted to make this floor more officiant. She told him that she had always thought there should be a barrier between the receptionist and the editors.