I feel like I’m about to burst. “But…?”
She shrugs, holding her hands out. “He started trying for more when we were together. If I’d wear a skirt… well, you know.”
“And you told him no?”
“Well… not exactly. I told him I was worried.”
“Because you were coworkers?”
“Because the rates of STDs have been skyrocketing in recent years. Have you heard about this?” Her eyes are round, and I’m confused.
“No?”
“The CDC has reported a rise in the number of syphilis cases… Syphilis! Not to mention herpes is rampant. And the medicines have terrible side effects…”
Holy shit, and I thought I rambled. “Renée… Stop for just a second.” We stop walking, and I hold her arms. “What are you saying? He wouldn’t take no for an answer?”
“He wouldn’t get tested. He said he’d just use a condom, but I said what happens if the condom breaks? What happens when he’s pulling out? A drop of semen could escape and—”
“Renée. Did you want to have sex with him or not?”
Her head tilts to the side and she starts walking slowly. “I don’t know. Everyone’s so quick to jump into bed these days. I liked being his friend. I liked kissing him… I hoped Patton might talk to him for me. They were practically brothers. I hoped he would tell him to stop with the pressure.”
“Instead he fired you. He ran you out of town.” My jaw is set.
“I don’t think he understood what I was saying.” A line pierces her forehead, and she hugs her waist. “He was just so evil about it.”
Anger burns in my stomach. “What did he do?”
She squeezes her eyes shut. “It was more what he said. I’ll be the first to admit making out at work is unprofessional, but Patton made it sound like… He looked at me with those black eyes and asked me how much I wanted.”
“How much… what?”
“Money. He thought I wanted money. I guess he thought I was trying to blackmail him or something… I don’t know. He said if I tried to turn it into some kind of scandal, he’d bury me.” Her voice breaks. “But I didn’t want a scandal. I liked Marley… He seemed so sad, but sweet. I still think about him sometimes.”
Her chin drops, and I put my arm around her waist. “I’m so sorry, Ray.”
My stomach cramps. Bully doesn’t even cover how Patton treated her.
She clears her throat and seems to come back from that memory. “I don’t know.” Her eyes meet mine, and she smiles. “Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself, right? It was the last red flag I needed. After that meeting with Patton, I knew I didn’t belong there.”
We’re at the bikes, and I think about this. “Or maybe you just crossed paths with the devil. Another firm might be completely different.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I’ll never go back to that life. I’m so much happier now. And… Oh my goodness, look at the time!”
She hops on her bike, pushing the pedals. “I’ve got to get to the store. I’ll see you there or back at the house.”
I wave, watching her growing smaller the farther she rides down the path.
I’m glad she’s happy. I’m glad she’s found a life that works for her. She says I can stop worrying about her, and I see she’s right.
Only… now what?
Rubbing my forehead, I try to figure out what I’m supposed to do. Should I go to California? If she’s okay, I can at least protect my career… and I won’t have to see him.
Pain like a knife twists in my heart. An image of me pinned naked against Patton’s bare chest under a waterfall, his strong arms over mine, his hands in my hair, his possessive gaze…