Page 62 of Hate Notes

I gathered the files and followed him, painfully aware of the curious eyes tracking our movement. The office rumor mill had been working overtime since the charity gala. I think some gossip had even spread after our not-so-veiled date last night, though I had no idea how anybody had heard about it.

"Close the door," he said when I entered.

I did, then stood awkwardly holding the files. This was the first time we'd been alone since last night, and the air felt charged with everything we weren't saying.

"Well?" he prompted.

Right. Files. Work. Professional distance.

I set them on his desk and began my report, keeping my voice carefully neutral as I detailed Davenport's latest requests. Orion listened with that impenetrable mask in place, asking the occasional clipped question.

This was worse than when we'd first met. At least then he'd shown emotion, even if it was mostly irritation. This complete shutdown felt personal.

"Is that all?" I asked when I finished.

"For now." He was already looking at his computer screen, dismissing me.

Something in me snapped.

"Actually," I said, "there's something I need to tell you."

His fingers stilled on his keyboard. "I thought we agreed to keep things professional."

"We did. This is about work. Sort of."

"Sort of," he repeated flatly.

"It's about Cole?—"

"Stop." His voice was sharp. "Whatever game you and Cole are playing, I don't want to know."

That was a shock.Did he already suspect something? If so, why wouldn’t he demand I tell him every last detail? “I’m not playing any kind of game,” I protested. “I just?—”

"Is sleeping with me part of his plan?" The words came out like ice shards. "Get close to me, learn my secrets, report back to him? Is that it?" His laugh was cold and hard. “I should have guessed it earlier. The way you came on to me so hard and fast. I should have known it was only part of a scheme. Some manipulation.”

I recoiled like he'd slapped me. Yes, part of his accusations were spot-on, but the idea that I would use my body like that to manipulate him? I hated that he could believe that about me, even if I knew on some level I may have deserved it. This was the rot I worried about—it was the effect of building something on a foundation of lies, no matter how inconsequential they may have been at the start. “No,” I managed, though I felt like I was on the verge of crying. I hated this. I hated what I let this turn into.

He stood, planting his hands on his desk. "Cole shows up at my gala, makes cryptic comments about you. Every time his name comes up, you look guilty. And now suddenly you want to explain?" His laugh was bitter. "I'm not a fool, Ember. And you think I couldn’t look up your history and see you worked for him? I knew it when I hired you, but I thought the chances of you having any personal connection with him were slim, even if the path from corporate drone to hate notes employee was highly suspicious."

"I wanted to tell you sooner,” I said. “And then… I started to… I?—”

“Well?” he cut in.

I wiped at my eyes, shaking my head. “Just let me talk.”

“I don’t think that would be wise,” he said. “You talking has caused us enough problems as it is. Your mouth is why I can’t simply fire you. It’s why I have to keep working with you to finish this Davenport deal, its?—”

“Stop,” I begged. “Can we please just calm down and talk like adults? I want to apologize. I want to?—”

“I’m your boss. I don’t need your apologies. I only need your assurance that you can put this mess behind you and continue to do what’s best for Foster Real Estate. I need your assurance that you’re still committed to landing the Davenport contract.”

"Right. My boss. Who kisses me at art galleries and invites me to his apartment and then treats me like I'm nothing the next day."

"You're the one who pulled away last night," he snapped.

"Because you made it clear this was 'inadvisable'! While I was standing there feeling like a troll next to your perfect reflection, looking at your perfect apartment with its perfect view!"

Understanding flickered across his face, quickly replaced by that maddening mask. "This is exactly why we need to maintain professional boundaries."

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