Epilogue
Two weeks later …
Angie stared at the stack of baking pans, calculating in vain whether they’d fit in one box. This had been her dilemma since she’d started packing yesterday, and in typical fashion, Sam wandered into the kitchen and laughed.
“Angel, you’re talented in a lot of ways, but you’re spatially challenged.” He bumped her hip. “Step aside. I got this.” She gave him a glaring narrow-eye, which only made him laugh harder. “You know it’s true.”
She opened her mouth to argue when her phone rang. The number looked familiar, but she couldn’t place it. When she answered, she was surprised to hear Celia’s voice on the other end.
“Angelina? Are you someplace you can talk?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I wanted to give you a heads-up that you’ll be receiving a call from the vice president of HR asking you for a meeting.”
Angie lifted her eyes to Sam. “Um, do you know why?”
“Something’s come up.” Angie would have sworn the woman was smiling on the other end. “The HIPAA violation? A deeper dive by IT discovered an inconsistency in the logs. You weren’t at fault.”
“Who was?” Angie choked out.
“Probably best if the VP explains it to you. Good-bye, dear.”
Stunned, Angie stared at Sam. Before she could relay the strange message, her phone rang again. She put it on speaker. The caller announced himself as the VP of HR and asked her to meet with him later this week.
“But I’m moving out of state tomorrow.”
“Oh. In that case, can you make it in today?”
“I-I think so.” She slid Sam a glance, and he nodded at her.
After they arranged a time and hung up, Sam announced he was coming with her.
“But you don’t have—”
“Yeah, I do. I’m not going to fight your battles—unless you want me to—but like I said before, you’re mine to protect. I want to be sure some tweezeball doesn’t try to push you around.”
Months ago, Angie would have bristled at such a statement. Now, a different sensation overtook her. The reassurance that came from knowing Sam was in her corner warmed her all over. She wasn’t alone anymore.
Hours later, Angie fidgeted beside Sam in the vice president’s office, while the man himself sat across from them and pursed his lips. Sam gave her hand a covert, reassuring squeeze.
“Ms. Rossi, I’ll get right to the point. New information has come to light, and we’ve determined your credentials were used without authorization. The prior conclusion was made in error based on available data, and the decision is being rescinded.”
Angie’s jaw went slack. “What was the available data that your error was based upon?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss that as we are still pursuing the matter. But we are prepared to reinstate you with back pay and full benefits.”
She and Sam exchanged glances. “I’m not returning. I’m relocating to another state.” Not for a job, but for this man I love beyond reason.
The VP glanced down at an open file. “I see. In that case, we are prepared to offer you a formal rescission of the prior separation decision, a written statement clearing you and recommending you for similar work elsewhere, and compensation in exchange for a mutual release of claims.”
“In other words, Angelina would be signing away her right to sue,” Sam posed.
The VP nodded. “Of course, we encourage Ms. Rossi to seek advice from her legal counsel before signing.” He pulled a letter from the file and slid it over to her.
She took it, holding it so Sam could read too. Her eyes popped when she saw the figure they were offering for a settlement. They had known all along. They had known this was bad.
Recovering herself, she asked, “How soon will I get the official rescission and the statement?”
The VP’s perfectly manicured fingers tapped the file. “Everything has been prepared by our legal counsel. I have it right here.”
“I’d like to review the documents and have a few minutes to decide.”
“Of course.” The man slid out a few more papers and left the room.
Sam leaned in. “What do you think?”
“They’re tripling what I’d normally make on a full-time salary and offering to subsidize six months of CObrA premiums.”
“Of course they are,” Sam scoffed. “That’s cheaper than having you sue their asses for their screw-up. You’ve got them by the balls, Ange.”
“Yeah, but I just want to be done with this and have a clean slate when I move.”
“So you’re satisfied with the settlement?”
She nodded. “I am. It seems fair. And now I can get a job so I’m not a drag on you and your finances.”
He picked up her hand and kissed it. “Don’t ever think you’re a drag on anything. I’m still pinching myself that you’re coming with me.”
Her heart overflowed. “I love you, Sam. Let’s do this.”
Another two weeks later …
Angie awoke before dawn, stretching beneath the covers.
She rolled against Sam’s back and let out a contented sigh when she wound her arm around his bare middle.
He responded with a sleepy groan of his own and locked down her arm.
A delicious ache throbbed between her legs, reminding her of their late-night escapades.
The sultry smell of the sex they’d shared hung in the air, and the scent of his skin reminded her of home.
She sighed against the smooth warmth over his firm muscles.
They’d been inseparable since he’d come for her, their days spent getting settled and their nights spent like rabbits trying to populate the planet. She couldn’t get enough of him, and it was pretty clear he felt the same.
She opened her eyes and glanced around the empty room. She and Sam had moved into their new place mere days before, and there was still so much to do to fill the large space. But there was plenty of time. It was mid-July, and Sam wouldn’t report for training camp for another six weeks.
She smiled in the dark. This was their permanent home for at least the next three years.
The day they’d returned to North Carolina, Sam’s agent had called with the details of his new contract.
Three years at an AAV of two million dollars—more than Sam had hoped for, and he readily signed.
They’d decided that day to buy instead of rent, especially when a former Surge player had made them a great offer.
Angie slid from the sheets, careful not to wake Sam. Today was a big day, and she wanted him to get more rest and give herself a few extra minutes to prepare for what lay ahead.
Pulling on her silky robe, she padded into the kitchen, where she washed their new purchases—dog and cat bowls—before starting the coffee and shaping dough she’d refrigerated the night before.
A few scones for her and Sam and the rest for their hosts later today.
The prospect of meeting a new group of people made her tummy flip, and walking in with a tray of goodies would make her feel less vulnerable.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat at the counter just as her phone dinged with a text.
Celia: Can you talk?
Angie’s languid morning shifted into all-hands-on-deck mode. She tapped Celia’s number, and her former office manager picked up on the first ring.
“I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
Angie smiled, even though Celia couldn’t see her. “Not at all. I’m two hours ahead, remember? You’re the one who’s up early.”
“Right. Well, this won’t take long. I just wanted to fill you in on what’s been happening.” Celia paused a beat as if marshaling her words. “Now I need you to understand that this isn’t official.”
“Okay.” Angie dragged out the word.
“They’ve just wrapped up an ongoing investigation into what happened with the HIPAA violation.
It wasn’t a system glitch. They concluded your credentials were intentionally misused.
The trouble traced back to Trevor.” Angie sucked in a breath.
“The access logs tied back to his device and badge activity. Like I told you before, it wasn’t you, Angelina. ”
Angie’s mind reeled. “Is the company going to do anything about it?”
“Doubtful. He had already left the organization when everything was finalized. Going after him wouldn’t put the company in a very good light. I just wanted you to know.”
“T-thank you.”
They hung up as Sam appeared in the doorway, looking adorably tousled and drowsy. “What’s going on, angel?”
Excitement began percolating inside her. “I’ve been … completely vindicated.”
Butterflies stirred in Angie’s tummy as Sam steered her toward the group of strangers clustered on a lush lawn, the touch of his fingers at the small of her back a reassuring brace.
Willows formed a lacy canopy of shade, and cicadas hummed.
A pretty woman with red hair and a warm smile rushed over, and though they hadn’t met in person, Angie knew her instantly.
Despite the familiarity, the woman took Angie by surprise when she embraced her as if they were old friends.
A tall, handsome man with a mop of dark hair strolled behind her, hand extended to Sam.
The woman drew back, and flustered, Angie blurted out, “You’re Terra Blue.”
“And you’re Angie Rossi. I’ve heard so much about you from Sam. I’m delighted you’re here.”
“Thank you so much for inviting Sam and me to stay at your place when we got here. I hope you weren’t offended that we—”
“Stayed at a luxury hotel where you had some privacy? Not offended at all.” She elbowed Angie playfully. “My husband would have insisted we do the same if the roles had been reversed.” Terra gestured a graceful hand toward the man. “And speaking of my husband … Angie, this is Cam.”
Cam Blue had Sam in a bro-hand-grip bear hug.
He sported a wide grin as he slapped Sam hard on the back.
“Good to see you, dude. I’m glad you guys could make it to our little shindig.
Let me introduce you to some of the boys you haven’t met.
Then we can lay our plans for kicking some real butt this season. ” He turned toward Angie. “But first …”
Sam dropped his arm across Angie’s shoulders and squeezed. “This is my fiancée, Angelina Rossi.”