6. Claire
Claire
I stand outside Rhodes Capital, staring up at the building where I've worked for fourteen months, and my stomach is doing complicated things.
Everything's different now. Everything's changed.
My phone buzzes.
Garth: Where are you?
Me: Outside. Nervous.
Garth: Don't be. We're doing this together. Come up.
I take a breath of cold Chicago air that smells like exhaust and that particular winter city smell, and head inside.
The lobby is the same. The elevator is the same. But when I step onto our floor, I can feel eyes on me immediately.
Of course they know. We spent three days in Detroit together over Christmas, and I'm sure someone saw us at the airport. This office runs on gossip.
"Claire!" Mary from accounting practically materializes next to me. "Oh my God, is it true? You and Mr. Rhodes?"
"I—"
"Because Jen from legal said she saw you two at O'Hare and you were definitely holding hands, and—"
"Mary." Garth's voice cuts through her rambling. He's standing in his office doorway, looking effortlessly composed in a charcoal suit. "Ms. Abbott, could I see you in my office please?"
I follow him inside and he closes the door. Through the glass walls, I can see half the office watching.
"So much for subtle," I murmur.
"Fuck subtle." He pulls me into a kiss that's definitely not appropriate for the office. "Good morning."
"Good morning." I'm breathless when he releases me. "Everyone's staring."
"Let them stare." He straightens my collar, which he just messed up. "I called an all-hands meeting for nine. We're telling everyone together."
"Garth?"
"Trust me." He kisses my forehead. "It's going to be fine."
At 9 AM, the entire office crowds into the main conference room. I stand next to Garth at the front, and I can feel everyone's eyes on us, hear the whispers.
"Thank you all for coming," Garth starts, his voice carrying that CEO authority. "I'll keep this brief. Claire Abbott and I are in a relationship. We've disclosed this to HR, completed all necessary paperwork, and we're handling this in full compliance with company policy."
You could hear a pin drop.
"I want to be very clear," he continues.
"Ms. Abbott's role and responsibilities remain unchanged.
She earned her position through exceptional work, and that hasn't changed just because our personal situation has.
Anyone who has concerns about favoritism or inappropriate conduct can speak to me or HR directly. "
He pauses, looking around the room. "That said, anyone who makes Ms. Abbott's work environment uncomfortable will answer to me. We're all professionals here. I expect everyone to act like it."
There's a moment of silence, then someone in the back—I think it's David from finance—starts clapping. A few others join in, and suddenly half the room is applauding.
"Finally," someone mutters loud enough to hear. "The sexual tension was killing all of us."
Garth's lips twitch as he holds in a chuckle. "If there are no questions, let's get back to work."
The meeting breaks up, and people filter out. A few stop to congratulate us—Maya gives me an enthusiastic hug, and even stoic Richard from legal offers a smile.
When it's just us in the conference room, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
"That went well," Garth says.
"Better than I expected."
"See? I told you." He pulls me close. "Now can we please get some actual work done? I have a portfolio review at ten and you haven't gotten me coffee yet."
I laugh. "Some things never change."
"Some things do." He kisses me, soft and sweet. "I love you."
"I love you too. Now let me go get your coffee before you fire me for insubordination."
"Never." His smile is warm. "You're irreplaceable, remember?"