Page 170 of Sexting the Boss

Roman crosses his arms. “You sent her away. What did you expect?”

“Not this.” I stand from my chair, blood starting to simmer in my veins. “She was supposed to lie low. Stay safe. Not disappear completely like I meant nothing.”

I slam a hand down on the desk, rattling a pen holder.

“She thinks this ends with a two-paragraph email and a badge left on the table?” I shake my head. “She’s wrong.”

Roman lifts a brow. “You really thought she’d wait around while you ghosted her?”

I hate how right he is.

I grab my jacket from the back of the chair.

I find her in the hallway.

Fifth floor. Just outside the elevator bank. Carrying a stack of folders so tall it nearly blocks her face.

She doesn’t see me until it’s too late.

And for half a second, I do nothing.

I just watch her.

Her hair’s different—messier, like she didn’t have time to tame it this morning. She’s thinner, a little paler. Her usual spark seems dulled around the edges. But she’s still her. Still Sasha.

She looks up—and freezes.

The papers tumble from her arms and scatter across the tile floor like startled birds. We both crouch at the same time, hands brushing once as we reach for the same report.

She snatches hers back too quickly.

“You’re quitting?” I ask.

Her entire body stills.

“I saw the email,” I add quietly, like that softens the blow.

She straightens slowly, holding the stack of papers like a shield. “When did you come back?”

“Last night.”

“I wasn’t expecting?—”

“I know.” I step forward, but not too close. She already looks like a deer in headlights.

“You weren’t going to tell me?” I ask, low. “You thought you could just vanish?”

Her chin lifts, defiant. “It’s none of your business anymore.”

“Don’t say that,” I growl. “Don’t act like none of this meant anything.”

“You left,” she snaps. “You sent me away. You didn’t call. You didn’t check in?—”

“I had to keep you safe.”

“You didn’t even ask me what I wanted!” she says, voice cracking. “You made the decision for me like I was some porcelain doll you could shove in a box and forget.”

My fists clench. “You think I forgot about you?”

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