Page 125 of Knot All is Forgiven

"That's not fair! I've been skipping out on our brunches and Friday lunches. I haven't given her as much attention since you came into my life."

"Is she happy for you, Jordan?"

I take a heavy sip of my tea, enjoying how the honey coats the back of my throat. Dae rubs his orange body against my ankles as Icarus and I sit silently while my mind processes.

Is she happy for me?

I've heard jealousy in her voice and disbelief that I'd hold the Stargazers at arm's length.

But has she expressed joy on my behalf?

And it's not just that, is it?

I think about the snide comments about my body and my food intake. The weird, judgmental way she spoke to me when I returned from breaks and how everything she had a double edge to it—backhanded compliments and always assuming the worst.

Why hadn't I noticed before that our friendship was morphing into something unrecognizable?

How long had I been the one making all the effort, only to have her make me feel like I wasn't trying hard enough?

Sadly, I sit my mug down and bury my face in my hands. "You're right. She's not been a very good friend."

His shoulders drop from his ears where he had been bracing for me to blow up. Running his fingers through his alreadymessy hair, he smiles softly. "Is it possible that she would've done this on purpose?"

I groan in frustration as Blush hops onto my lap, startling me. I bury my fingers into her soft fur, enjoying how her floppy body melts at my touch. "Anything is possible. I guess I need to ask her."

"I would prefer you didn't," Rafe's voice reaches me from where he stands, braced against a wall in the kitchen. I didn't hear him enter. "At least not until we talk to an employment lawyer."

I adjust slightly in my seat to face him. "Why would I need to talk to a lawyer first?"

His long legs eat up the distance between us in three steps, and he sinks into the chair beside Icarus. "She works for HUG still. She could easily report back anything you say. We have to assume that she's on their side right now, considering she hasn't called you. She was your PA. Either they fired her, too, or they found another role for her. Since she hasn't called you freaking out…"

"They found another role for her."

"Exactly. I don't trust that her loyalty is with you right now."

Icarus grabs our empty mugs and busies himself, cleaning off the table. "Do you know a good lawyer?" he asks over his shoulder.

"Cyrus' agent might." My quiet Alpha stretches his legs out, accidentally kicking Dae, who releases an indigent squawk of a meow before stalking away.

"A lawyer? Really?" I squirm uncomfortably. "Why would I want to return to work at a place that would so easily drop me?"

"Because it's your career, Jordy," Rafe replies. "And even if you don't go back there, maybe we could stop this from happening to someone in the future. It's bullshit that your designation can have any bearing on your employment."

"We're not going to be able to change the laws. I'm just one person."

"Oh we are for sure not going to drive major change," Icarus remarks with a laugh. "Even all the bullshit with the Perfect Omega couldn't drive nationwide change. It did get the Design Clinic to change many of their policies, though, just because of the public backlash." His hands land on my shoulders, squeezing reassuringly. "So maybe this only makes changes as HUG. That shouldn't stop you from fighting for yourself."

He snags my chin and tips my head back, giving me an upside-down kiss that makes my whole body relax with a sigh. "Okay," I say dazedly. "I will talk to a lawyer. But before I do that…" I pivot in my chair and grab the front of his heather grey tee. "More kisses, please."

"Nice to meet thewoman who almost cost my client his job," the stocky woman says, reaching for my hand.

"Ronda," Cyrus nearly growls. "Don't."

The female Alpha chuckles and smacks the much larger man in the chest. She's solidly built, clearly an athlete, with dyed black hair that reaches her chin in a sharp bob. She's older, with eyes so light blue they're a little unnerving, and she has plenty of smile lines around her mouth. "Oh, take the stick out of your ass. It's just nice to meet the Omega that has you all tangled up in knots. I thought you were the one that was supposed to do that to her."

A strangled sound escapes Cyrus, and I place a hand on his arm to settle him. "It's nice to meet you too." I think Ronda cansense the hesitance in my voice because her posture immediately changes, and when she shakes my hand, it's much softer than I was expecting.

"Yeah, thanks for setting up this meeting." Rafe reclines in the black leather chair in front of the conference table. He's almost dangerously sexy in his signature all-black with his dark hair, dark eyes, and rich, deep skin.

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