“The fact that you lied, took advantage of the generous benefits we offer our employees—potentially putting our company at risk for audit and review, and then went along with some blackmail scheme with another employee to keep things quiet?” James frowned and his lips turned down at the corners. “I’m disappointed in you, Noah. So much so, I don’t know how to move forward.”
Noah swallowed, the reality and severity of the situation finally settling around him like dust after a storm.
“Do whatever you think is right, James. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I’ll accept the consequences.”
“I haven’t made a final decision regarding your future with the company,” James said slowly, as if the words were just as difficult for him to say as they were for Noah to hear. “I really hadn’t expected it to be true. I wasn’t prepared for this.”
Neither was he. “I’m sorry.”
“In all honesty, as long as there’s a valid marriage license, I don’t think there’s anything any insurance company could do to try to prove it as fraudulent. It’s the principle, though, and the prevarication. I can’t just overlook what you did.”
“I don’t expect you to.”
James dragged his hand down his temple and stood. “I’ll have to discuss this with the other principals. I’ll let you know as soon as we’ve come to a conclusion.”
Noah stood. “Okay. Thank you, sir.”
As he turned and walked to the door, James called out one last question.
“Noah?”
Noah looked back.
“If you’d known how this would turn out—that I’d eventually find out and your job would be in jeopardy, would you make the same decision again?”
Noah thought of Mia’s beautiful, cheerful face and everything they’d shared these last few months. Of her excitement about what she was learning, and the new recipes she’d tried in preparation for future clients. He remembered countless nights on his couch, and the more recent ones in his bed. He thought of the things they’d talked about in the dark hours of the night—what they felt for each other and how complete his life felt.
The answer was clear. “Yes, sir. I would.”
1
Mia Adrian stared at her phone screen, wondering what in the hell she’d just read.
Noah:Would you rather—text message edition. Daily messages with strange animal facts OR positive affirmations?
What kind of question was that? She frowned and leaned one elbow on the arm of her chair before tapping out a one-handed response.
Mia:???
Noah:It’s a question. Would you rather receive daily animal facts or positive affirmations?
Mia:Um.
Mia:Neither?
Noah:Both it is.
Mia:Don’t you dare.
A banner appeared at the top of her screen, alerting her to a message from an unknown number.
When I breathe, I inhale confidence and exhale timidity.
She groaned and waited, hoping for some additional message that would give her instructions to opt out of whatever service he’d just signed her up for. Her gaze darted to her computer screen for a second, then back to the phone.
Nothing.
Would she seriously get something like this every day? How the hell was she supposed to stop them?