Page 94 of Playing Flirty

“The Roseis slowly starting to figure out what she wants and doesn’t want,” I replied, despite the way my anxiety soared.

“Who’s going to listen to me whine?”

“Still me, probably, but it’ll be via text or after hours.” I flashed him a smile and hit the print key for my resignation letter.

Taking my letter from the printer, I folded it into thirds, making sure the edges met before slipping it into one of the envelopes I kept in my desk drawer. I inhaled all the confidence I could find and tapped the letter on Shaun’s shoulders as I walked out of our office. He nodded at me, somehow both sadly and reassuringly.

I clutched the letter while walking all the way down to human resources, but as I turned the corner, I nearly smacked into Louisa. “I was on my way to see you.”

“Oh,” she said, her eyes wide. “I was on my way to see you too.” Her lips parted as though she could barely hold back whatever she needed to tell me.

She gestured for us to walk back to the safety of her office and closed the door behind me. She sat, and her voice droppedto a whisper. “Would you like to report another case of harassment against Mr. Markham?”

I swallowed hard. I’d been planning to, but I was hoping to resign first. I slid the envelope across the desk.

Her mouth curved downward as she read it. “You don’t have to leave. I have a feeling the M in M&G will fall away soon.”

I leaned forward, and so did she.

“I couldn’t tell you this before because I had to keep it confidential, but you aren’t the only person being harassed by him, and after the news spread about the altercation at the party, someone else stepped forward and wanted me to tell you that she believes your story, and stands with you. She’s been on the receiving end of his unwanted attention for years.”

My breath caught.

“I’m about to send multiple reports to Mr. Ganz, who, I’m sure, will not take kindly to continuing a partnership with him. Between you and me, Markham was already walking a fine line.” She leaned back and blew out a long breath. “So, if you’d like to stay, I trust that it will become more pleasant in the near future.”

I shut my eyes, and all those early mornings and late nights I’d spent here flashed behind my lids. Shaking my head, I said, “I’m happy with my decision.” Each word lifted a weight from my shoulders. “And… I’d like to exercise my right to leave as soon as possible. Friday will be my official last day at M&G.”

“I’m sure Mr. Ganz will be more than understanding.” Louisa nodded, smiling now. She took my resignation letter and signed it.

“I’ve summarized my projects to make handover as easy as possible.”

She waved me off. “I’ll reach out to your clients privately and have them write letters of recommendation, if you’d like?”

“Thank you.” I nodded and stood, but there was a fire growing in my chest. I placed one hand on her desk and said, “Oh, and yes, I would like to add to my account of what occurred at the office party and thereafter.”

The second we walked into Shaun’s apartment for game night, I let my eyes roam across the furniture in search of my favorite tall, dark-haired, and handsome man, but he was nowhere to be seen. His bedroom door was closed, but the bathroom door was open.

I waited a beat to see if he’d come out after hearing me arrive, like he usually did.

Nothing.

“Is William here?” I asked, with a weak attempt at keeping the longing out of my voice.

“Nah,” Shaun said. “I didn’t see his car downstairs. He’s been out since morning. He’s been really busy lately.”

I swallowed my bitter disappointment.

He could come back. The night was still young.

Every time I heard movement at the door, I hoped it was William. The first time, it was Neema unlocking the door for herself.

The second time, someone knocked, and even though William wouldn’t knock, my unreasonable heart still wished it was him. It was Claire and Lincoln.

By the time the game started, I was quickly losing hope that I’d be seeing him this evening.

The conversation shifted from wedding arrangements to my resignation, which ultimately had the conversation circling back to William in a Batman suit headbutting my boss.

And then I missed him again.

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