Page 27 of City of Wind and Lies

"Wren," she replies, her tone clipped. "It's okay not to be okay." She shifts, slinging an arm around me, and it's the soft touch that cracks my facade. "You feel things deeply. And that's okay," she says, her voice gentle. "You have all this love to give and you just go around giving it freely and I love that about you, girl."

My shoulders sag as I feel the tears welling up. "But," I sniffle. "I feel a but coming."

"But," she grins. "You have to stop giving people all the things that you want them to give you."

Her words go down dryly, settling in the pit of my stomach like a brick, fully dismantling the wall I'd built.

I cry, and I don't even really know why, but the release is a welcome one. I don't like being psycho-analyzed, but Drea's right. Just because I let him hold me when he needed someone, didn't mean those same arms would still be open when I did.

10

Maybe the midday nap messed with my sleep schedule, or maybe it’s the dread of everyone knowing what went down yesterday, but when I walk into the office the next morning, my stomach is queasy.

"Hey!" Cami calls out cheerfully, tossing up a hand in a wave. "Feeling better?

"Yeah." I pause, smiling while beating down the jealous monster clawing at my chest at the way Perry is leaning over her chair, doing something on her computer, one hand resting on her shoulder.

"Anything exciting happen yesterday...or lately?" I ask, waggling my eyebrows.

She waves a hand dismissively. "Just getting a new software update installed."

"Surrre," I tease, taking a step toward my office.

"Yeah, I'll need to do your laptop too, Wren," Perry adds, peering at me over the top of his glasses. "I'll be in once I finish up here."

"Sounds good to me," I reply before disappearing through my doorway.

On Wednesday afternoon, when Cami and I come back from lunch, Ethan is standing outside Bowie's door holding a white file box.

Prickles of goosebumps rise across my skin as the murmurs of harsh voices carry out of Bowie's office. I've got a solid guess as to what's happening, but when the door opens and Morgan from HR comes out, Allen following with a scowl on his face, I know for sure.

Cami and I step to the side, not wanting to be in the way, but our nosey asses don't want to miss any of the drama.

Morgan adds a manilla envelope to the box Ethan is holding and turns to Allen, saying, "It's a very generous severance package Mr. Whitmore, considering the circumstances."

He grumbles something under his breath, ripping the box rudely from Ethan’s hands.

"Ethan, please escort Mr. Whitmore from the premises, he is not allowed on company grounds from this day forward."

"Yes, ma'am," Ethan replies, tipping his head towards us and the elevator. "Let's go, Mr. Whitmore."

"Happy now?" Allen sneers at me as Ethan presses the button to call the elevator up.

My face twists up in confusion and I dart a look to Cami before questioning, "Me?"

"Yeah, you fucked the boss to get my job." He lowers his voice, tone caustic as he adds, "Stupid whore."

"Whoaaaa," I say, holding up my hands. "Don't go blaming me for the fact you got caught stealing."

"You know?" His eyes round in realization, then his brows slam down. "So you were brought in to get me fired."

"Look," I say, tossing my hands up, not knowing what story is what. "I'm an assistant. I compiled reports and gave feedback on issues within them."

"Right," he scoffs. "Feedback while on your knees, maybe."

My blood boils, anger coursing through my veins at this man's audacity, and I want nothing more than to slap the creepy mustache from his face. But, with HR standing right there, I internally lecture myself on the need to remain professional.

Ethan presses a hand to Allen's back, directing him through the open doors of the elevator.

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