Page 118 of Tasty Cherry

It happened late. But it’s happened.

Somebody loves me.

And not anybody.

Sebastian Young.

Now we just have to get through this terrible part.

38

SEBASTIAN

When I arrive in Raya’s office, she’s sitting with her hands clasped on her desk like she’s been waiting for me.

I take a chair across from her. I’m the superior. I should handle the hard parts of this conversation.

“Would you like me to call in Jessie and Havannah?” I ask.

Her face is solemn. “Yes. I should not have to bear the brunt of this betrayal alone.”

Betrayal. Raya is ready to blow this up.

“I’ll call them.” We’ve seen less of Havannah lately as she hits full term, but as far as I know, she’s in the castle. She has a suite she uses for her family when things get busy. Its location is almost as secret as the hidden one I showed Mila.

I step out of Raya’s office and into the hall to make the calls. There’s no reason to do it in front of her. She’s angry, as if she can barely hold it in.

I call Havannah first. She picks up on one ring.

“What’s wrong?”

I usually text, so she knows something is up. “Hey, we have a serious staffing matter to manage.”

“Can it wait?” Her voice sounds strained.

“I don’t think so.”

“Really? Is Maverick seducing more upper management?”

If only. “No, this one is about me.”

“Oh.”

“Raya’s upset with me. You might be, too. I’m going to ask Jessie to sit in as well.”

“Can you and I talk about it first?”

“We can, but Raya’s waiting in her office. She wants action right away.”

She lets out a long slow breath. “I see. I’m not sure I’m in a condition to even waddle over there.”

“We can come to you.”

“Can you do that right away?”

“I’ll assemble everyone.”

“I’ll be in my front room.” She ends the call.