Chapter 27
twenty-seven
. . .
WYATT
I’m back in the TWA offices this afternoon, disappointed that I missed seeing Blair. It’s been three days since the wedding and moving out of the friend zone. We’ve been texting but tiptoeing around the s-e-x topic. But at least we’re talking. My mind is operating in 4K definition, replaying the moments with Blair at her house: my hands sliding over her curves, the softness of her pressing into me, how sinking into her felt like home. Just thinking about it puts pressure on my zipper all over again.
I hate how my father almost scared her off, but it’s almost like it made something click within her, too. It brought the clarity she needed to get past what happened between us, but I know she still has some doubts. I need time with her.
Lance is next to the coffee dispensers, talking to his head of legal. He spots me, gives a wave, and, in his booming voice, announces my arrival. “There’s the guy making sure we make everything happen!”
I give him a courtesy nod and a tight-lipped smile as I grab a seat at the conference table. When he sits down next to me, I groan internally.
“I actually wanted to talk to you about a confidential matter,” Lance whispers as he leans toward me.
“Sure, what is it?”
My nerves kick in for a minute as the guilt of crossing the professional line with Blair creeps into the back of my head.
“Hypothetically, if one of our executives was having a consensual but casual relationship with a colleague and that colleague was on the list of employees to be terminated, could that employee sue us?”
“That depends,” I say carefully.
“On what?”
“Well, is the employee a subordinate of the executive? Are there any policies in place that prohibit workplace relations? Is the employee on the impacted list for a legitimate reason?”
Lance slaps his hand on my shoulder and gives me that grin-fucker smile: all teeth, squinty eyes, and absolutely zero humanity behind it.
“She’s not a direct subordinate. Anyone can date, but it’s at their own risk. So, if shit goes south, not my fault. I don’t want any of that drama falling on TWA. As for the list, I’m sure anyone on it is legitimate. I wouldn’t want to jeopardize our agency and risk any legal action.”
“Lots of things can go south even if there’s not a dating policy. I’ve seen many consensual, casual relationships turn into serious harassment cases.”
He’s not even listening to me. Instead, his eyes are roaming around the room, searching for the next conversation to jump into.
“Of course, Wyatt. I understand. And thanks for keeping this just between us. You’ve been such a great asset through all of this. I’ll make sure your father knows how much we appreciate all your help.”
I’m one hundred percent sure he never speaks with my father. And when he turns to talk to the head of HR, I know our conversation is over.
While we wait for the others to arrive, I check my phone and scroll back through the messages from Blair. She’s been sending me a few of the photos she kept of us. It’s a safe way for her to lean into the idea of us, and I want her to remember how great we were together.
ME
I didn’t know agents took vacation days.
BLAIR
Just because I’m not in the office it doesn’t mean I’m not working
ME
I actually believe you. You’re relentless.
BLAIR
Is that a compliment?
ME
It’s admiration.
BLAIR
Hmm. What am I missing at TWA?
ME
Merger meetings. And your boss blinding everyone when the reflection from his super white teeth glistens every time he smiles.
BLAIR
ME
Plans this weekend?
The dots pop up and disappear, and this repeats a few times. I realize I’m holding my breath. I shouldn’t have given her an opportunity to make up plans before I could ask her to go on a date with me.
BLAIR
Nope.
The breath that leaves my chest catches the attention of the lady sitting next to me, and I get a worried frown from her.
“It’s good news,” I tell her as I lift my phone quickly. To avoid any conversation, I start typing.
ME
Can I take you out to dinner?
BLAIR
Call me later and we can talk about it?
It’s not a no. And we haven’t spoken on the phone yet. I’m taking this as a win.
ME
Absolutely. Don’t work too hard today.
BLAIR
(photo of her legs on a raft in a pool with a fruity drink in her hand)
I can’t help the grin that creeps across my face.
“It must be fantastic news, with that smile,” the woman next to me says as she passes over a packet of stapled documents.
I tuck my phone away and look through the papers in front of me. It’s the list of employees to be fired, along with the cost reductions for TWA.
Lance starts the meeting by reminding everyone that this information is confidential, and I get a chill when he turns his gaze on me. There’s a bit of determined arrogance behind his eyes.
“Some of you will see familiar names on the list,” he says. “I realize keeping professional and personal relationships separate can be hard, but I expect everyone in this room to adhere to the NDA. If any names are leaked from this list, there will be an investigation and consequences.”
My blood runs cold when I see Blair’s name at the top of the list.
“Some of the names on this list bring in the most revenue. Does the decision to lay them off make sense?” I say.
“We’re merging with the largest sports agency in North America. High-earners are a dime a dozen,” Lance responds.
I realize I’m biting my tongue when I taste the tang of copper. My eyes must reveal the distain I’m feeling right now.
“I hope this isn’t too personal for you. I know you and Blair just reconnected,” Lance says quietly as he leans into me when the CFO takes over the meeting to discuss the financial impact.
“Of course not,” I say.
I don’t appreciate the assumption from Lance that anything personal is going on between Blair and me. Even if there is. I’m not sure how he would even know. This guy is a first-class douche. It’s all a fucking game to him. And I know how to play it, too.