Page 121 of Tasty Cherry

None of us know this story, and Jessie, Raya, and I exchange glances. We knew Rebel had a different father, but not that Havannah gave birth to him on her first date with Donovan.

“I insist on a new dress,” Havannah says again. “And dry underwear.”

“Well, come on,” Donovan says. “Let’s get you changed.” He gives us all an apologetic smile. “We’ll have to table this for now.”

Havannah holds onto the back of the chaise as she takes small, mincing steps toward the hall. “Handle it as close to what we did with Maverick as possible,” she says. But then she bends over, letting out a long moan. “Ohhh, here we go again.”

Sarah returns with the towel. “You all are still here? Handle this situation yourselves.” She passes the towel to Donovan and herds us out like cattle. “She’ll let you know when she’s ready to talk business again.”

Then we’re out in the foyer by the elevator.

“This is so exciting,” Jessie says. “The baby is coming.”

“No, it’s ridiculous,” Raya says. “Sebastian has committed a fireable offense.”

Jessie scans her ID, realizes it doesn’t work, then looks at me. “We didn’t fire Monique.”

“We got them separated, though,” Raya says.

I don’t interrupt, but step between them to call the elevator.

“This is different.” Jessie twists her hair into a long rope. “Maverick was causing problems beyond his relationship with Monique.”

“So, we should send Mila out to the barn, too?” Raya asks.

Jessie searches my face. “I think this one is probably a more long-term relationship, am I right?”

I nod.

“I should handle it,” Jessie says. “Raya, you seem very angry, and as a direct subordinate, you should not be involved.”

“But I am Mila’s direct supervisor.”

The elevator doors glide open and we step inside.

“Don’t fire her,” I say. “If anyone should take responsibility, it should be me.”

Jessie holds up a palm. “It’s out of your hands, Sebastian. You say you met her before, but you kept seeing her after you learned she was an intern.”

“I did.” There’s no sugar coating that.

“And this is a consensual relationship?”

“Yes.”

“He’s going to plot with that girl to make her say what he wants,” Raya says. “We need to call her in right away.”

“I’ll call her in,” Jessie says. “Sebastian, do I have your word that you won’t contact her until I let you know we’ve concluded our interview with her?”

I nod.

“All right then.”

We step out into the lobby.

Jessie turns to me. “Sebastian, I’m going to ask you to take the rest of the day off. We’ll call Mila in today.”

I shove my hands in my pockets. “All right.”

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