Page 49 of Due South

I try to put on that guy, the one who gets a person having a panic attack onto an airplane, the one who can run meetings, and the one who can boss a girl like Lucy around because it gets both of us off to play that way. India responds to boldness. That’s what Rey said. And that guy knows what he’s talking about.

India lifts her hands away from her keyboard and mouse and sits back in her chair. Apparently I have her attention.

“What’s up?”

“Lucy and I have been…”Fornicating like rabbits. “…seeing each other. For about a week now. And I understand that’s in violation of the fraternization policy. We honestly meant no disrespect to you or the company and we didn’t think this was going to happen, but it has.”And if I’m exceedingly lucky, it will keep happening. “And I don’t want it to stop. But I don’t want to get Lucy in any trouble, either. It was my fault, I started it, and I’ll hand in my resignation right now. But don’t… It’s not her fault.”

India’s staring at me with this cool, calculating gaze, and something inside me withers. She’s totally going to fire me. I’d half-hoped this wouldn’t be a big deal. I mean, it’s not as though I’m Lucy’s boss or she’s mine, so neither one of us has any influence over each other’s promotions or pay. We’re both at India’s mercy. Which is vomit-inducingly apparent as I stand here waiting for her to tell me to pack up my office and leave. I should’ve known. India’s big on rules. Fuck.Fuck.

I was going to tell my mom I couldn’t help out with Darren as much anymore, but I wanted it to be a choice, not because I’d lost my job and I’m going to end up living out of my car somewhere. Is it possible to choke on your own breath? Because that might be happening.

“Evans.” My name is this snapped-out word and it turns my stomach.

“Yeah?”

“I’m not going to fire you. And I’m not going to fire Lucy.”

“You’re not?”

“No. Are you kidding me? I’d be totally fucked without the two of you. Not to mention, what the hell are you even talking about?”

“It says in the employee handbook. Fraternization between JVA employees is strictly prohibited.”

“Do you work for JVA?”

A bomb goes off in the back of my brain and the bricks of my skull crumble because all I can think isprobably not anymore, but then the light shines through the dust and the rubble. She already said we’re not getting fired, and India’s not one for rhetorical questions—too pointless to take up her valuable time—so I guess I should answer.

“Uh… No. No, I guess I don’t.”

“Who do you work for, Evans?”

“You. I work for you. I mean, BCG.”

“And I’m telling you, as the founding partner of BCG, that I don’t give a rat’s ass if you and Lucy are dating or whatever it is you’re doing. As long as you’re not sneaking off to bang in the copy room in the middle of the day, I don’t care.”

She’s turned her attention back to whatever was on her monitor and leaned forward again. It’s a good thing because my face might be lighting up scarlet. Because while it wasn’t in the middle of the day… Shit. Must not get a hard-on while I’m talking to my boss.

“You don’t care.” Relief should be hitting me like a smack in the face, but instead it’s slowly trickling through my system, the jittery feeling subsiding one butterfly at a time. “But if you don’t care, why is it—”

She glares at me over her screen. She’s clearly moved on and feels like I’m trying to steer her in a direction she doesn’t want to go. Bad idea.

“Because I’ve been a little busy and I haven’t had time to amend all the damn policies in the employee handbook, that’s why.” Then she mutters something about fucking horndog Jack not being able to keep that shit in his pants. I think. “Anything else?”

I know I promised Lucy I wouldn’t tell India about this and it’s possible I’m shooting myself in the foot here because who knows what’ll happen, but India can be a reasonable person. And when it comes to Lucy, despite how hard India can be on her, she does appreciate everything Lucy does and she wouldn’t want to lose her if she can help it. She said she’d be fucked if we left.

“Lucy didn’t want me to tell you this…”

India’s eyes narrow, and I swallow. No surprise India doesn’t like tattle tales. But this isn’t that. Not really.

“She got a job offer. One she’s thinking about accepting. And I didn’t want her to leave without you having a chance to make a counteroffer. Because I think if you do, she’ll stay. I’d like to her to stay, and I think you’d prefer that as well.”

“Do you know where this job is?”

“Yes.”

My stomach liquefies because India does withering glares like no one’s business.

“And are you going to share?”

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