Page 13 of Take It Offline

But I refuse to let the opportunity to really make a change slip through my fingers. As far as I can tell, all anyone’s ever done with this procedure is patch it with Band-Aids and duct tape for years.

That stops now.

If they want future proofing, I’ll give it to them. Worst-case scenario, all of my ideas are shot down and we keep using the same old standard we’ve been dragging behind us for at least a decade.

Best-case scenario? I finally earn my promotion.

In lieu of workingwithCharlie, I’ve split the document in half. On the surface, it’s an even division of labor between the two of us, a minor lie that Roberts accepted.

In reality, I’ve given Charlie the thankless job of covering retention and engineering metadata—the former is a wasteland of regulatory red tape, and the latter a series of unending contentious arguments with Projects.

That’ll keep him busy while I focus on the real work.

There’s no missing the moment he’s read my email.

“What the hell?” Charlie grits out, looming over his computer.

“Keep your voice down,” I hiss.

His blue eyes are blazing. “Oh, I’m sorry,” he says in a stage-whisper, “are you worried someone will overhear how well we’re working together?”

I stand and meet his accusing stare, then throw a glance over his shoulder toward Roberts’s office. The door’s open, but I can’t tell whether he’s inside.

Quickly, I stalk into the nearest empty meeting room, waving madly and glaring back at Charlie until he follows me inside.

Most days, wearing heels puts me on top of the world, but today I am a sovereign.

Ruler of Charlie’s goddamnuniverse, and he better be ready to take a knee.

“Okay, you’ve got me alone now.” He stuffs his hands into his pockets. “Care to explain?”

It’s the first time we’ve stood this close, and as I’m staring him down, all I can think isI never realized how tall he is.He’s only got a few inches on me, and it puts him at what Ivy would call a “perfectly kissable” height.

No one’s lips can be that naturally plump.

Charlie, of all people, shouldnotbe allowed.

I inch forward, refusing to back down. “Weren’t you the one complaining about having a real job to do? I’m simply taking the bulk of responsibility off you.”

With a disbelieving huff, he fixes his tie and steps even closer.

I’ve always adored neckties. Watching someone put them on, take them off, finding other fun uses for them… well. There’s a lot to love.

Except when it comes to Charlie Walker.

Especially while he stands there in a charcoal waistcoat and narrow black tie, pretending to be sorry for risking my career.

Given the chance, I’d like to wring his neck with it.

He has the audacity to smile. “You know, if you really wanted to beat me, you’d give me something harder.”

A bark of laughter escapes me. “Oh, I’m sure you’d love something hard to beat.”

He slides a little closer, propping one hand on the wall beside me. His cologne is the deep, intense sort that I usually love.

It’s like he was designed in a lab to bother me on every level. His suits, his scent, those damn lips?—

“Got something on your mind, sweetheart?”

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