Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133878 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 669(@200wpm)___ 536(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
“Because you accused your boss?” Gemma perked up as though she’d seen the light at the end of the tunnel and there was actually something she could do.
“No. They said some of my coworkers complained about how I talked about my family.”
“Your family?”
She nodded. “Specifically my brothers.”
Gemma seemed to get the gist. “You were open about your brothers sharing a wife. They felt like your friends, so you make a couple of jokes about how weird your hometown is and suddenly they can use it against you. I would bet no one had a problem with it until after you went to HR.”
“No. I thought they were all cool with it. I mean it’s not exactly a prim and proper business. Everyone’s creative and quirky, but they all turned on me.”
“I’m so sorry, Brooke.”
“I don’t have grounds. Do I?”
“Oh, you have grounds,” Gemma said. “So much ground, but I will tell you that taking this to court is going to be difficult, and more important, very costly. It’s better to put together a good case for them to settle. Basically, threaten a nasty suit and at the last minute you offer to settle for say a million dollars.”
“I don’t think it would work. I don’t think they will settle,” Brooke admitted. “I think they would know I’m playing chicken with them since if I actually took it to trial, my brothers and more importantly, my sister-in-law and niece and nephews get dragged in. So does this town. But he’s going to blackball me. They basically said good luck finding something new.”
“I can file some paperwork and we could see how they respond. We can gauge where to go from there. But if it goes anywhere, you’ll need counsel in Manhattan. I don’t have those connections anymore. I’m still licensed to practice there, but this was not my specialty. But I can start the initial work if you want to.”
“I can give you some money.”
Gemma waved her off. “No. I’ll handle it pro bono, but I want you to have realistic expectations. It’s going to take a couple of weeks. This is not a quick process.”
Brooke wiped away a tear and swore she wasn’t going to cry. “I will. I feel like I should do something. Fight for my career.”
“Do you want your job back?”
“No. I could never work there again, but how can I let them get away with it?”
“Then we’ll start the process, but it’s an uphill fight. Have you thought about trying to find a job in LA? Or London, maybe? You know you have some impressive connections. Stef alone could get you on somewhere.”
There was a reason she hadn’t wanted Stef to help. “Then I’m the nepo hire or the girl whose rich uncle bought her a spot.”
“And you prove yourself,” Gemma countered. “Look, Brooke, I’ve literally been on the other side of this. I was pushed out of a job for a person who had way less talent than I had. Less education. Less work ethic. What she did have was a very wealthy dad. So I loathe people like that, but I don’t know what I would have done if I had connections. You have the right to use what you have as long as you prove yourself once you’re there.”
“And if I need some time to think about what I want to do? I know I should find another job as quickly as possible,” Brooke began.
“Or you could give yourself the summer to figure things out. What’s your lease situation?”
“Oh, Ami sent me a text late last night asking if I was staying because she’s got someone willing to pay three hundred more than me,” Brooke explained. It was one of the many revelations waiting for her this morning.
“We’ll send someone to pack you up.” Gemma started making notes in a small book. “I’ll call Seth. I assure you he can have someone over there by this evening. Give me a list of things, or do you trust this roommate?”
“Ami doesn’t want anything I own. She’ll point it all out. I can pay…”
Gemma groaned. “Stop. See, this is the independent woman trap. I’m going to tell you the secret I’ve learned. You can be independent and need help. Your friends and family aiding you isn’t about you being weak. It’s about your family being strong. So toss those thoughts right out, and now we’re full circle and you’ve answered your own question about how you can have liked the sexual encounter and still hold your head up as a woman. Because it has nothing to do with your independence. It has to do with your needs. There is nothing stronger than being open and honest about your needs. You found two men who made you feel safe enough to let go.”
Nope. She was crying. Damn it. Gemma was right. “They did. I felt free.”