The only good thing that had happened during the week was that she and Holly had made up after Holly had told her the whole truth.
“Tim and I only meant well. We thought you guys were so suited for each other. Tim told me so much about Daniel that I was absolutely sure this would work. We should have just waited for a better time and had some casual dinner just the four of us. It was a stupid idea. I’m so sorry.” Holly’s look was sincere.
“It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s over and there’s nothing I can do to change that.” Sabrina tried to sound indifferent. “He hasn’t made any attempt to contact me after I told him that I don’t want to see him anymore. I said things that I can’t take back now. He probably despises me.”
“You have his number. Why don’t you call him?”
She shook her head. “It won’t do any good. He wouldn’t believe me if I told him what I really felt. Not now.” She’d felt the ice storm surrounding him when she’d told him that she had no feelings for him. He’d never believe her now. She’d rejected him, and even if she hadn’t hurt his heart, she’d hurt his pride.
***
The call from the office came Friday morning.
“Sabrina, it’s Caroline.” She was surprised to hear the receptionist’s voice. Even through Caroline and she were friendly in the office, they weren’t friends, and there was no reason she would call her at home now that she didn’t work there anymore.
“Hi.”
“Hannigan got fired,” Caroline announced.
Sabrina’s jaw dropped. “How did that happen?”
“Mr. Merriweather found out that Hannigan has been harassing you and that he fabricated things about your work not being adequate. So he fired him on the spot. That’s why I’m calling. Mr. Merriweather wants to talk to you this afternoon.”
She couldn’t believe this. They’d fired Hannigan after he’d been so sure the partners would never touch him. She felt a huge burden lifted off her shoulders. There was some justice in the world after all.
“You mean, he might re-hire me?”
“He just said to call you and ask you to come in at three. But I’m pretty sure that’s what it is. What else would he want to talk to you about, right?” Caroline asked.
“I’ll be there. Thanks so much!”
***
Sabrina dressed in her best business suit and made sure she looked every bit the professional she was. If they’d offer her her old job back, she wanted to look the part. She double-and-triple-checked her outfit in the mirror. Her skirt stopped just short of her knees, and she’d opted not to wear pantyhose since her legs were tanned enough to keep them bare.
She had the need to be taller today, to feel more imposing, so she decided on her stilettos instead of the more comfortable slingbacks she normally wore. She was dressed to kill, and she would. If they wanted her back, then she wanted an apology first and foremost and then an assurance that she wouldn’t be relegated to routine cases as she’d been when she’d been assigned to work with Hannigan.
A last look into the mirror, a deep breath and she knew she couldn’t stall any longer if she didn’t want to be fashionably late.
Her hands felt clammy when she entered the firm’s foyer, and she forced a smile when Caroline greeted her.
“Mr. Merriweather is expecting you in his office. Go right in.” She pressed the intercom. “Sabrina is here.”
Forcing one foot in front of the next, Sabrina headed for Merriweather’s office. By the time she reached it, all her hesitation was gone. She knocked and heard his voice asking her to enter.
By the time she opened the door and stepped inside, Merriweather had already rounded his desk. With an outstretched hand, he walked toward her.
“Sabrina, I am so glad you came. Please take a seat.”
“Thank you.” Sabrina was surprised at how overly courteous he was. It wasn’t like him.
She took a seat in front of his desk, and he sat back behind it.
“Let me just say, the firm and I deeply apologize for how you’ve been treated. There’s no excuse for it. We were aware that Jon has had … let’s say, issues with female staff, but we never dreamed that he would go as far as harassing you. Hmm, we are extremely sorry that you felt you couldn’t talk to us about this.” He gave her a sincere look. “We … no, I hope that you know we value you highly, and we would of course offer you your job back …”
Would? What was he saying? He’d just called her in to apologize but that was it? He had no intention of offering her a job. How hypocritical was that?