The Table Turns

Lily Thompson

The applause was still ringing in my ears when I stepped out of the boardroom.

I barely made it two seconds in my office before someone knocked on my door

The person didn’t wait for an answer before pushing it open. Theo walked in, his eyes gleaming and a rare grin tugging at his lips. “You have no idea what you just did in there.”

I blinked. “Was that… good?”

That was revolutionary.” He stepped inside, hands tucked into his pockets. “They loved it,” he said. “Like… genuinely loved it. The board wants to meet again this afternoon to discuss full implementation of your campaign.”

My heart did a somersault. “They do?”

He nodded. “But that’s not the real kicker. They want you to sit at the table this time.”

I stared at him. “Like… actually sit at the boardroom table? Not behind it?”

Theo chuckled. “Yes, Lily. At the table. Like an actual executive.”

My throat tightened. For a second, I forgot how to breathe. The same room that once questioned if I belonged, now wanted me at the table. My hands itched to touch the wood of that boardroom table. Like touching proof that I’d made it.

For a moment, I just stood there, the weight of the moment pressing down on my chest. I wanted to cry, laugh, scream, maybe do all three.

Then Ryan appeared behind Theo, leaning on the doorframe like he’d been there a while. “Told you they weren’t ready for you,” he said, his voice warm and low.

Looks like we’re going to need to upgrade your office,” Theo said with a grin. He gave me a quick thumbs-up and left us alone.

“You okay?” Ryan asked.

I nodded, my voice shaky. “I think so.”

He stepped closer. “You didn’t just prove yourself. You shut them all up. Completely. I think Vanessa is still trying to figure out how to swallow her own tongue.”

That earned a laugh from me. God, I needed that.

I turned to Ryan, not trusting myself to speak yet. He shoved his hands in his pockets.

“So… lunch?” he asked, voice low. “Or do we celebrate with something stronger?”

I hesitated, biting my bottom lip.

“Come on… you earned it” he persuaded

“Lunch sounds good.” I finally replied, letting myself live for just a little while.

His lips curved. “I know a place.”

He took me to a quiet restaurant tucked into a rooftop garden three blocks from the office. The kind of place I’d never even think to walk into on my own. There were fountains. Waiters in vests. Cloth napkins that probably cost more than my entire closet.

Ryan,” I whispered as we were led to a private table by the glass, overlooking the skyline. “This is too much.”

“Stop saying that. You deserve every single bit of what you’re getting. It’s just lunch,” he said smoothly, pulling out my chair. “And it’s not even mine. Company card.”

I rolled my eyes, but smiled. “Still.”dered things I couldn’t pronounce but some

Ryan raised a toast: “To the woman who came back stronger than anyone expected.”

I gave him a tight smile and picked up my glass, clinking it against his. “You mean the dropout who miraculously didn’t embarrass herself today?”

He sets his glass down. “I mean the woman who keeps proving people wrong. Including me.”

Just then a voice cut in.

“Lily?”

We both turned.

The person who called out to me looked like he wasn’t sure if it was me or not. When I turned and he had a clear view of my face, he waved and walked over to us

He was tall and good looking, dressed in a navy blue suit.

I recognized him. He was in the conference room when I gave my pitch.

“Hi” he stretched out his hand for a handshake. I took his hand, smiling.

“I’m Brandon. I just wanted to say… that was one of the most insightful pitches I’ve seen in a long time. You didn’t just sell a strategy, you sold vision. People like you don’t come around often.”

My cheeks flushed. “Thank you. That’s… really kind of you to say.”

He glanced at Ryan briefly, then looked back at me. “I’d love to pick your brain sometime. We’re actually revamping our outreach division. Maybe you could weigh in.”

I nodded, still stunned. “I’d love that.”

He smiled again, gave Ryan a polite nod, and walked off. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ryan’s jaw clench slightly, his glass stilled halfway to his lips. His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes

When I turned back to Ryan, his lips had thinned.

“Well, aren’t you popular today” He stabbed a piece of steak with unnecessary force.

You okay?”

He stared at his untouched drink. “Fine.”

I smirked. “You sure? You look like you want to tear his face off.”

He finally looked up, eyes narrowing slightly. “Do you want me to?”

I blinked, thrown by the question. “What?”

“Never mind,” he muttered, pushing his plate away. “Let’s get back. Don’t want to be late for the board meeting.”

Was that... jealousy? A traitorous thrill shot through me. I absolutely should not have liked it. But I did. More than I wanted to admit.

His jaw clenched and unclenched as we walked to the car

“Thanks,” I said as he opened the car door for me.

He gets in and we start moving.

“Lily—” he starts, “I’m incredibly proud of you. And you should be proud of yourself too. What you did today was no easy feat”

I nodded, my heart melting. I stepped out, started walking away, then stopped mid-step.

I shouldn’t, but I turn back to look at him. He’s still watching me, hand gripping the steering wheel.

I walked away again, this time faster, because one more second of standing there, just watching him, and I knew I would’ve done something truly stupid. Something that could shatter both of us all over again.