“You need to give him a chance. The two of you have a lot in common.” Cynthia’s voice took on an edge. “He’s a good guy, and he’s always adored you.”
“Which is sweet and fine and good, but I’m not interested in him romantically.”
“You’ll throw away someone that good for an asshole who sleeps with his employees? The bozo you met at the bar?” The kindness vanished from Cynthia’s voice.
The contrast to last night, Antonio and Justin’s acceptance ofI’m not making any commitments right nowsmacked Emily about the cerebral cortex. “Throw away? Paul and I didn’t have anything. I didn’t even know he was interested until recently. Why are you blaming me for not feeling the same?”
“Because I don’t think you’re trying.”
Emily growled. “I don’t think you’re in a good frame of mind to have this conversation. Call me when you’re ready to be rational.” The hurt and fury spilling inside made it easy to ignore anything Cynthia said, as Emily walked out the door. Once they had cooler heads, maybe they could talk through this. Right now, she was seconds from saying something she might regret later.
* * * *
EMILY FELT LIKE HERemotions had been hosed down, hand-wrung, and hung out to dry. She spent Saturday and Sunday at Antonio’s house. She didn’t call ithiding,but that was what it was. The argument with Cynthia left her frazzled, and she had no idea how to approach reconciliation. When this morning rolled around, the Mondayness of it crept through her. There was nothing to be done for it. She had to go home, to get ready for her meeting with Grant.
She sneaked into her own house. Her heart leaped every time something creaked. Before Saturday morning, she’d have considered this overreacting, but if Cynthia wasn’t going to be reasonable, Emily needed time to think through what she’d say.
Fortunately, the doors to both Cynthia’s room and the guest room stayed closed while Emily got ready for work.
Now she sat in the lobby of Grant’s investment firm, waiting to see him. Fortunately, this was one encounter she didn’t have to worry about. When it came down to the wire, Justin, Antonio, and their team had pulled off a tremendous comeback, and their beta would be ready on time. The thought made her smile, not only because she’d been more successful on this contract than any in the past, but also because it made her happy to see them succeed.
“Ms. Lowry? Mr. Lent is ready now. You can go on back,” the receptionist said.
Emily smiled and thanked her, and followed the familiar path to his office. Grant was behind his desk when she stepped into the room. There was a woman already seated across from him. He nodded at the empty chair. “Thank you for making time in your schedule today.” His tone was clipped. That wasn’t like him. Maybe he was infected with Mondayness too. “This is Melinda from Human Resources.”
Weird, but okay.“It’s not a problem.” It wasn’t as if she was going to tell him,No, I’m busy.She knew how this would go. They’d make small talk for a few minutes, then he’d ask about APPropriate Designs, and she’d give him the great details.
“I’m hearing some troubling things about your current contract.”
Her blood turned to ice in her veins, and a chill ran down her spine. “I’m sorry to hear that. Everything’s running smoothly, as far as I know.”
“Quality of work is not my concern. You’re competent. That’s why I hired you.”
“May I ask what you’ve heard?” The creeping uneasiness under her skin told her she didn’t want the answer, but she’d rather hear it now than drag it out any longer.
He sighed. “This is a bit difficult to say. I’ve been told you’re not acting appropriately in this position. That there may be some misconduct with a member of upper management.”
The bottom fell out of Emily’s stomach, and she searched for a response.
“Basically”—Melinda spoke up—“our policies prohibit fraternization with colleagues as well as with any employer you’re assigned to.”
Emily gripped the arms of her seat, to keep from wobbling, as disbelief stole her thoughts, making her dizzy. “May I ask where you heard this?” It was a stupid question. Justin didn’t tell them, and neither did Antonio. She had no doubt. Cynthia was the only other person who knew, and three days ago, Emily would have sworn Cynthia would never say anything either.
Realization sank in. Unless Cynthia told Paul.
“You may not ask,” Grant said. “The issue isn’t where the rumor came from, but rather whether it’s true. Have you gotten involved with Justin Conroy?”
The lie stuck in her throat a moment longer than it should, to sound believable, but she forced herself to saynoanyway.
“I see.” He didn’t look like he believed her.
Melinda handed her a folder. “Regardless, a situation like this puts undue pressure on everyone involved. I’m afraid, at this time, we have to terminate your current contract and your retainer. You’ll need to sign the enclosed paperwork, to get your final check.”
“But I didn’t—” What? She’d done exactly what they said and more. And they weren’t even calling her on the lie.
Melinda gave her a tight-lipped smile. “If you’ve got concerns with our decision, I can put you in touch with our legal team regarding our policies. I assure you, if this goes to arbitration or something more severe, details will come out if there are any. If there’s nothing to find, I’d understand your contesting things.”
Emily wanted to call her every foul name under the sun, for the language that effectively backed Emily into a corner. “I’d rather not deal with that kind of headache.” She already dreaded having to face the fallout if these rumors got out. True or not, this kind of information would keep her from getting work at a number of places.