Page 37 of Take It Offline

“Yes, sir.”Heard you loud and clear, asshole.

This is what Emma’s had to put up with for five years? I’ve seen some shit in my time, but to have to work for a man who actively hates you (and let’s face it, probably has some mommy issues) might rank right up there with “reserved for my worst enemy.”

If Reese were in Emma’s position, I’d be reevaluating my stance on workplace conflicts. And I’d be preparing a new résumé in my head because I’d be gearing up to give a speech that’d no doubt get me fired.

And really, it shouldn’t matter that it’s not my sister in the hot seat. No one should have to fucking work like this, even Emma. She may hate me, but she’s worked as hard as I have and shouldn’t be wasting her talents trying to please an asshole who’s actively working against her.

So fuck it.

I’m going to fix this. Somehow, I’m going to make it up to her.

CHAPTER 14

WAVING MY WHITE (COLLAR) FLAG

CHARLIE

I’ve never had time for regrets. Happiness is tough enough to collect on.

I’d rather act and learn than wait and wonder.

When I originally apologized to Emma, I meant it. There was no reason for me to believe she’d be cut out of being recognized for her hard work. At least not until Roberts’s awful speech yesterday.

My blood’s still boiling.

It’s bullshit, plain and simple. There’s no changing the past, but I can damn well make sure that I’m not a part of his plan to cut her out again.

Until I can prove Roberts is playing favorites, I’ll have to convince Emma to work with me. The harder it is for him to separate us individually from the results, the more time I’ll have to make it a fair competition.

I just have to hope Emma doesn’t castrate me before then.

“What are you doing here?” she asks with a scowl.

It’s a fair question. I’m sure the last thing she expected when she woke up this morning was to find me parked outside her apartment, offering her a ride to work.

But we need to talk, and I have a habit of pressing my luck when it comes to her.

“Giving you a lift. Now get in.”

She looks incredible, as always. Hair slicked back today, with a black turtleneck belted over a deep green skirt that flows like water around her long, gorgeous legs.

She crosses her arms. “I don’t need your pity.”

“Not what this is. But if you really want to walk in those shoes, that’s up to you.”

She taps one her heel on the ground. “I’ve managed it every day for years,” she retorts, raising a brow in a way that’s far sexier than it should be.

I’ve seen her rubbing her feet under the desk when she thinks no one is around. So I watch her, silent, waiting.

Eventually, she drops her arms. “Thank you,” she says as she slips into the passenger seat, looking regal and untouchable.

Around me, her soft, sweet perfume is a lure, the kind I imagine could easily tempt wayward sailors who spend too many nights fighting the ocean, dreaming of sparkling eyes and red lips.

I’ve never wanted anyone more.

Biting back a groan, I grip the wheel and take off before I get any wild ideas. “Don’t mention it. You’re on my way.”

The journey is familiar, taking me back to when Reese and I moved here. So much has changed since then, including me.

---