Page 94 of Take It Offline

“Charlie, just the man I’m looking for. I hear I have you to thank for a six-figure saving on this year’s budget. Excellent job on the automation idea.”

Jesus fucking Christ.

Of all people, chief operations officer Greg Bailey has found me. Behind him, Drue mouthssorry. Fuck. So this is the real reason I was summoned.

“It’s this sort of proactive thinking that makes you a shoo-in for management. You can be sure I’ll be having a word to Emmanuel about this.”

My gut sinks like a lead shoe. He’s giving me the win, if I want it. The golden ticket, the parking space, all of it, just like Roberts said. But I can’t take it like this.

Brilliant, frustrating, gorgeous Emma is so far beyond my league, I shouldn’t even be allowed in the building. In the same area code. Not only did her tip about the damn bot work out, but her whole idea has landed me another fucking commendation from the COO.

One I didn’t even earn.

Karma sure has a twisted sense of humor.

“While I’d love to take the credit, you’ll need to thank Emma Conway, as it was her idea.”

He raises a brow. “Well, it’s about time Digital made a positive change.”

A few months ago, I would have agreed with him. And I would have been just as wrong. It shouldn’t have taken me this long to open my eyes. Shouldn’t have taken being forced to work with Emma and not against her to realize how badly I fucked up before.

“Actually, sir, you’ll find she’s responsible for a lot of good around here.”

CHAPTER 31

AND SO IT GOES…

EMMA

Ivy takes one look at me and freezes in place. I don’t blame her. “You look flustered. What happened?”

We’re the only ones in the cafeteria, but I still lower my voice. “Nothing.”

She drops into the seat across from me and smirks. “Make sure to say hi to nothing for me.”

“Ivy, this is serious,” I hiss. “IlikeCharlie.” Fuck. Who authorized this?

“Let’s pretend that wasn’t completely obvious. When did you realize?”

My stomach knotting, I bury my face in my hands. “After the incredible orgasm, but before the puppies.”

She tosses her long hair over her shoulder. “What about Logan?”

I lift my head and sigh. “Logan who?” I finally got what I’d wanted—namely, Logan asking me out—and I didn’t say yes. Instead, I wanted more time with Charlie. I still want more of him.

Ivy rocks back, her lips parted. “Oh, wow.”

“I know.”

Oh god. I like Charlie.

I like how he rolls up his sleeves when he needs to concentrate. How he’ll release a long sigh when he’s annoyed but he wants to keep his thoughts to himself. I like that I can tell when he’s joking to tease me or joking to deflect. The way he melts when I scratch the back of his neck.

“I haven’t forgotten what happened last year,” I say. “But since we’ve been working together, he’s had multiple opportunities to take credit, and not only has he not taken them, but he’s stood up for me. Charlie is not who I thought he was. I’m not excusing what he did, but he apologized, and I accepted it. And now I know him better, and…”

“And?” she asks, grinning like she already knows exactly what I’m about to say.

“And I like him.”

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