Going Back or Going Home

By J.C. Layne

Camille George has worked at an advertising firm in Chicago since she graduated from college fifteen years ago. While she's worked on some important projects, she's still waiting on that elusive partnership in the firm. As Cam is about to give a presentation that could finally make her a partner, her path suddenly takes an unexpected turn for the better.

That unexpected turn lands Cam and her BFF, Andrea, back at the George family's Mountain Vista Lodge in Boone, North Carolina. The George family is a good ol' southern family with deep roots in North Carolina and more lovable eccentric characters than you can shake a stick at.

The most pressing issue is that Mountain Vista Lodge is gearing up for its biggest holiday season yet and the girls couldn't have arrived at a better time. But Cam never counted on her former boyfriend, Evan Norwood, working at the family lodge. With so much to be done, Cam's just going to have to put on her big girl panties and work with Evan.

Cam wonders, though, will she be able to? Sure, she can. The real question is, can she do it without falling for him again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: J.C. Layne
• Release date: Sep 27, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215607442

Book preview

1

This presentation has to move her up in the company. Somehow, Camille feels as though this is her last chance to show the brass what she’s got.

She’s been here since college, fifteen years now, and while she has been promoted to a mid-level contributor, promotions to partner only come around once every year.

She’s becoming dissatisfied and restless watching numerous male co-workers be promoted around her. She’s good at her job, she knows she is, but she’s beginning to wonder if this is where she wants to be.

She’s had offers from numerous mid-size firms across the country but to date, hasn’t accepted any.

As the conference room fills, Camille pours herself a glass of water from the carafe on the side table. Damn, she hates when she gets nervous.

As she mentally goes over her notes, she silently says a prayer, not that she does well, but that she definitively knows after this presentation if she should stay or go. Suddenly, a shiver courses down her spine and her head becomes dizzy for just a few moments.

Boy, that was strange.

She blows out a breath, accidentally spewing water into the air. She’s such a spaz when she’s nervous, always has been.

Only one of the people in the room saw her. Her long-time associate and BFF, Andrea, who looks around the room before touching Camille’s shoulder.

Take deep breaths, without water in your mouth this time, Andrea whispers.

Nodding, Camille swallows hard then breathes in deeply.

Are you all right, Cam? Andrea asks.

Looking over at her, Cam answers, I honestly don’t know. I’m just on edge, y’know? I know this project like the back of my hand. But, do I want to?

Her eyes flashing wide, Andrea says, What do you mean?

Motioning with her head, Cam says, Look around.

As Andrea scans the room, Cam whispers in her ear, All men, except for Mr. Bingham’s and Mr. Kinston’s daughters. Nepotism at its finest.

Andrea nods and turns back to Cam. The look on Andrea’s face immediately makes Cam launch into a fit of giggles.

After a moment, Andrea joins in, both ladies laughing until they realize the room has gone silent.

Straightening herself, Cam tries to regain her composure by clearing her throat.

Miss George, would you like to share with the group what you find so amusing? Leon Kinston asks, his eyebrow quirked in question.

Well, sir, I was just telling my associate here how very blessed and honored we should be to work for a company who regards their female associates so highly.

Kinston’s brow furrows as he stammers, Well, of course, we do, Ms. George.

Standing, Camille agrees with a smile. Of course, you do. That’s evident. I mean just look around this room.

Everyone looks around. The obvious discomfort of the room is palpable. Clayton Bingham says with agitation, Ms. George, what is the meaning of this?

No meaning, sir. Just pointing out that our partners either have a penis or were created by your and Mr. Kinston’s penises.

Murmurs erupt around the room as Andrea jumps to her feet and wraps her arm around Cam’s shoulders. She feels Cam’s forehead with the other hand. Oh, dear, you have a high fever, Cam. We knew you were coming down with something.

Thank you for trying to cover, Andrea, but I think this has been the giant elephant in the room since I joined this firm fifteen years ago.

She turns back to the audience. It doesn’t really matter what I say in this presentation, does it, gentlemen? I won’t be promoted to partner no matter what.

Just as Bingham’s gruff voice begins to respond, Cam cuts him off by holding up her hand. You know what, sir, it doesn’t matter. I’m tired of saving your asses with clients and being taken for granted. She picks up her laptop and closes it before slamming it onto the floor. Figure this contract out yourselves. I quit.

Breathing in the first deep, cleansing breath it feels as though she’s taken in fifteen years, Cam grins as she exits the room and jogs down the hall to her office.

She closes the office door and screams, Yeehah!!!

Andrea frantically enters the office behind her. Camille, are you all right?

Grinning, Cam replies, I’m the best I’ve been in years. I’m sorry, Andrea, I just couldn’t do it again.

Pulling the recycle box from underneath her desk, Cam dumps the contents on the desk and sets the box on top.

Retrieving the few personal items from her desk, she places them in the box. She adds in several reference books, a few photos of herself and her family, and a crystal clock her parents had given her for her college graduation.

She pulls on her long, grey tweed coat, wraps her scarf around her neck, slips on her gloves and hugs Andrea. Thank you for everything, my dear friend. I’ll talk to you later.

Of course, Andrea replies, as tears slip down her cheeks.

Releasing Andrea, Cam says, Don’t be upset for me. I’ll be fine.

Swiping the tears from her eyes, Andrea asks, What will you do now?

With a broad grin, Andrea picks up her potted plant and responds, I’m going back to North Carolina.

---

Just as she’s leaving her office, she almost runs over Mr. Bingham and Mr. Kinston.

Goodbye, sirs, she grins as she sidesteps the men and continues down the hall.

The two men follow on her heels, awkwardly trying to keep up with Cam’s quick pace. Ms. George, we need to have a discussion, Kinston barks.

Nope, no discussion, Cam says, not turning around.

When she reaches the elevator, she presses the down button with her elbow and looks up at the floor display.

Bingham grabs her by the elbow. You will come speak to us, young lady.

She jerks her arm from his grip. I wouldn’t touch me again if I were you, sir. There are about ten people witnessing this little display right now.

Abruptly releasing her arm, Bingham scans the room before whispering, We would like to talk to you before you go. You owe us that.

Raising her eyebrows, Cam blurts a laugh. I don’t owe you shit. You owe me about fifteen years of decent raises, a partnership, and respect for all the contracts I’ve landed for you. Me, I don’t owe you jack shit.

Just then, the elevator door slides open. Have a great holiday, Cam says as she steps on the elevator, presses the lobby button and grins. As the doors slide shut, she sees Bingham’s face so red, she’s anxious to find out if maybe it explodes but she wouldn’t go back up to that floor if she forgot her favorite pair of pumps. She makes a mental note to ask Andrea about that the next time she speaks with her.

---

As she unlocks her apartment door, she is greeted by the tiny space making up her foyer, dining room and kitchen.

She sets everything down on the kitchen table which is about an arm’s length away from the door. This apartment is so damn small, her dad always jokes she could stand in the middle, hold out her arms and touch the walls. He’s just about right.

As she looks around, she says aloud, I hate this damn apartment.

A grin slowly stretches across her face. The good news is, I only have to hate it for a few more days.

Taking in a deep breath, she slowly blows it out as she goes into her bedroom to change her clothes. The bedroom is tiny, too. She definitely won’t miss this place.

After pulling on her lounge pants and cozy knit top, Cam sits on the edge of her bed and slips on her socks.

Returning to the kitchen, she takes a package of frozen spaghetti sauce out of her freezer and sets it in the microwave. Tracing her finger across the words written on the sauce package, ‘love Grammy Ninny,’ Cam smiles to herself. Yep, she’s ready to see her family.

As she heats up the sauce, Cam pours herself a glass of wine. She surely needs a drink tonight.

Once her dinner is ready, Cam sits at her dining room table with her laptop open. She’s got some shit to do.

Taking a bite, she groans with delight as she chews the spaghetti with her grandma’s top-secret sauce. Family members have tried but no one has been able to recreate Grammy Ninny’s spaghetti sauce.

Grammy says she puts a little special magic in her sauce that no one else can create. Of course, Grammy Ninny also thinks she’s a ’witch’, too.

As far as Cam is concerned, when it comes to comfort food, Grammy Ninny is definitely