Page 8 of Grace

I hesitate. “I, um… I didn’t just take notes.”

He stares at me. “Yes?”

“I noticed—and this could be out of line, so I’m sorry—but I noticed that the specifics about client privacy, as well as the security features, were glossed over. They didn’t say exactly what data would be taken or tracked while using the app, nor did they say how they were going to be able to afford customer service,” I say softly, handing over my note pad.

His drawn brows soften as he underlines a few things, then he smirks. “Were you bored during the meeting, Grace?”

His words almost sound like a tease as his voice drops.

“Why would I be?” I ask.

He chuckles. “You drew flowers and stars.”

“Oh.” I blush all over again. “They were just repeating themselves, and since they’d already said the exact same thing three times, I started doodling. I assumed they just weren’t going to be giving answers.”

Mr. Brooks leans back slightly. “Good.”

I blink up at him. “I notice when people talk in circles, that’s all,” I murmur, then glance at his computer. Mr. Brooks arches an eyebrow, a smile still playing on his lips, and I clear my throat. “Is the computer working better after I took care of some things yesterday?”

“Yes, it is,” he says.

I don’t know how to end this conversation or whether I’m going to have to stay and be in this awkward moment. “Um, do you need anything else?”

“Grace. I don’t know or want to know why Stacy was treating you the way she was, but that won’t be the case anymore.”

My whole body trembles. “Are you firing me?”

“No,” he says, then props forward. “I’m promoting you. Well, sort of.”

I stare at him for a long while, not sure whether he’s joking, teasing me, or something else. Not that I’ve ever seen Mr. Brooks tease anyone. I’ve rarely seen him smile. Today is a weird day. I play with my hands and peek at him from under my lashes and a few escaped locks of red hair.

“A p–pr–promotion?”

“I’ve been having some reservations when it comes to Stacy, and the last week and change has proved I’m right. She’s distracted, she’s coasting through, and she’s gotten… greedy.” He says the last word with so much venom that I find myself standing straighter.

“She’s just taken two sick days,” I murmur. “I thought sick days were allowed.”

Mr. Brooks checks his watch and walks to a window overlooking the main office. “Come here, Grace.”

I swallow and move beside him, feeling his arm brush mine. He nods forward. “She’s not sick. She’s abusing company policy. Three… two… one.”

She rushes in as if she’s just late from lunch, but Mr. Brooks tilts toward me. “Look in the elevator, not at her.”

And I do glance back at the elevator. Sebastian stands there, smirking, a lipstick print on his neck. He adjusts his tie, grins wider, then presses a button. I swallow with difficulty as I notice his shirt isn’t buttoned correctly and his belt is still undone.

“Perhaps he brought her back from a doctor’s appointment,” I whisper.

“I’ve seen them do this multiple times over the last two months. Anytime she’s late, she has an excuse, but she’s always rumpled. I believe she thinks she’s impossible to replace,” Mr. Brooks says, his voice still low and threatening. “And with my son, nonetheless.”

Two months. The words echo in my head, and my stomach tightens. He’s been cheating on me for at least two months, unafraid to show it off in this office. So, did he break up with me before I could find out? Did he end things because he didn’t want me to find out? Was my refusing to have sex with him the final straw?

And why would he care if he’s getting it from someone else?

My eyes water, and I sniffle. “Two months?”

“It explains why Stacy has been so… rude to you,” Mr. Brooks murmurs. “I can’t have jealousy and distractions affecting my business.”

“But…” I whisper.

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