Page 16 of Take It Offline

If I do it, I’m not paying attention.

“Speak up more” are three words I never want to hear again. It’s the “you’d be pretty if you smiled” of the corporate world. I want to rage quit every time it’s uttered.

But speaking up is a gamble. If I could say the right thing, that unknowable correct answer, I’d be golden, like Mr. Walker over there. Free entry into the club. Pass GO. Collect two hundred dollars.

But say the wrong thing, and suddenly I’m too opinionated, too emotional.

My ire only increases when I view the document’s edit history and find the last person who accessed it and made changes is none other than Roberts.

I bite down on the scream building inside me.

The audacity of men might be the only thing more endless than the known universe. Larger than we can fathom, alwaysexpanding, and guaranteed to eventually decimate all forms of life.

They end their conversation by Charlie’s desk, and Roberts turns to me. By the way he instantly sobers, I know he’s read the email.

“Emma. I hope you’ll be clearing up that misunderstanding with Procurement today.”

Shame washes over me, and I swallow past the tightness in my throat. “Yes, sir.”

Oh, I’ll be clearing it up. And then I’ll be locking my document down.

All I want is to do my job, without interference.

Of course that would rely on Charlie abiding by the rules.

“You talked to legal without me?” I ask two hours later, after my meeting invite comes back declined with a curt “this has already been discussed.”

Charlie only shrugs. “You told me to take on retention, and it led me to legal. I’m just doing as I’m told.”

Like hell he is.

I’m starting to think he enjoys getting under my skin.

No matter. Charlie might be good, but I’m better.

“Fine. Since you’re already working with them, you can take over the security labels, but I’m taking back metadata requirements.”

He raises a brow. “You better not cut projects out of the loop on that one.”

I sigh. I had really hoped I wouldn’t have to talk with them, but he’s right.

“I can handle projects,” I say, and I’m only half lying.

I had hoped that in a building this big, I’d have no problem avoiding the one person I don’t want to see.

So, imagine my surprise when I arrive at my next meeting to find Charlie perched happily beside the Project lead, Samir.

“Emma, it’s good to finally meet you.” He stands and holds out a hand. “I hope you don’t mind that I invited Charlie to sit in. He knows our requirements backward and forward.”

“Of course,” I lie, sliding my hand into his. “The more the merrier.”

Across the table, Charlie winks.

CHAPTER 8

THE PROBLEM WITH FIGHTING IS I LOVE IT

CHARLIE

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