Page 49 of Pyg

“It’s fine. I’d just like to talk to you. Please.” Jeremy’s tone was terse, lacking his normal joviality. He stepped toward his office, his movements stiff and mechanical, like he was going through the motions, forcing himself in a direction he didn’t want to go.

Oh shit, surely Fran hasn’t told him.

Alice stepped back into the confined space of the kitchenette. She clenched and unclenched her fists to dispel some of the nervous energy that now tingled in her limbs.Deep breaths. In for four, hold for four, out for four.

“You’ve got this,” she muttered to herself, and made her way to Jeremy’s office via her own desk, where she stooped to collect a small white envelope from her handbag.

Alice entered Jeremy’s office, fingering the letter between her hands, uncertainty taking hold with every step. Jeremy had shrugged off his coat and draped it on the back of his desk chair rather than hanging it on the door hook, as he usually did. He sat at his desk with his head cradled in his hands. His face looked pale and drawn, with dark bags drooping under his eyes. Alice had never seen him like this.

“Rough weekend?” she asked and immediately wondered if that was the wrong thing to say.

Jeremy lifted his gaze. His hangdog expression punched Alice in the chest.

“I think you know the answer to that.” Foreboding built with each of his quietly enunciated words. “Take a seat.”

Alice swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. She perched on the edge of the leather chair, not wanting to recline into it. This situation was anything but comfortable. How could she relax?

“Jeremy, I?—”

“I think it’s time we ended the pretence, don’t you?”

“Sorry?”

“About Francesca.”

Alice felt the colour draining from her face.

“I know you’ve been sleeping with my wife.”

Alice’s eyelashes flickered down. She looked at the envelope she was turning over in her hands.

“Yes, I have. I’m so sorry, Jeremy. I really didn’t mean to hurt you. I know you won’t believe me when I say how much I respect you. You’ve been a wonderful boss, and you didn’t deserve...” all her words spilled out at once, tumbling over each other.

Jeremy raised his hand. But she needed to say her final piece.

“It’s actually why I wanted to speak to you today. I’m handing in my resignation. It’s for the best.” She slid the letter across the desk towards him. He stared at the missive for a moment before sliding it back.

“I can’t accept this.”

“Why? I’ve been sleeping with your wife!”

Jeremy scoffed. “Well, at least one of us was.”

Alice winced. “God, I’m so ashamed. You must be so angry with me.”

“I’m not angry with you, Alice. If anything, you should be angry at me because I’ve known all along.”

Alice shook her head. “What?”

Jeremy sat back and folded his arms. “Look, it’s pretty uncomfortable for me to talk about. But I owe you this much. It’s an arrangement Francesca and I have.”

“An arrangement?” Alice stared at him through narrowed eyes.

“I love my wife, and I want her to have whatever she wants, but I can’t satisfythatpart of her. You know, the part that craves… well, you.”

The room felt like it had tipped sideways. Alice shook her head again, trying to right herself. “Wait, what — she knew that you knew?”

“Of course.”

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