Page 44 of Single Mom's Secret Diary
“Doesn’t seem like I had much of a choice.” I stand perfectly still. Poised. And I wait some more.
“Won’t you please come in and sit?” He points to an open chair to my left that I didn’t see, too blinded by the thirteen sets of eyes aimed my way.
“No. I think I’ll wait until you tell me exactly what warrants this kind of behavior.” Because suspicion is warring with an underlying guilt I can’t place. I hate situations like this. I hate being on the defensive. I’ve spent too much of my life this way.
Ezra closes his eyes and takes a deep breath as if I’m the exasperating one.
“You’re selling secrets to the competition,” says one of the women. She’s leaned back in a chair that’s too large for her, herdark eyes and hair both shining in the low light of the overhead fluorescents.
I blink, narrowing my eyes at her, then sweep them around to the others waiting there for my response. Anger dumps across my shoulders and expands my chest with the need to scream.
Finally, I drag my gaze back to Ezra sitting at the far end of the table. The CEO. He’s waiting for my response just like the rest of them.
Well, you know what? Fuck him. If he believes that, he’s a goddamned idiot.
21
Ezra
The shock and subsequent absolute fury on Avery’s face convinces me immediately of her innocence. I’ve never seen her look quite so much like a momma bear before, but she looks ready to swipe at the next person who makes a move.
Her mouth purses, and her hands slot onto her hips. “You had better have good evidence to make an accusation like that because I didnotgive out company secrets.”
I hold my hands up as a few members of the board open their mouths. “Tell us what happened.”
She shifts on her feet, standing even taller, chin higher and looking down her nose at me. I wish I didn’t have to confront her like this, but I can’t seem like I’m playing favorites. Because I certainly am. I’m past the point of wanting her. I need her. Love her. Can’t let her disappear from my life again for any reason.
It’s why I’m giving her the chance now to get it out instead of being peppered by accusations.
“I was approached at my son’s hockey practice on Saturday at the World Sky Rink. I was getting a pretzel and a diet cola. She introduced herself as Bobbi DuBois and already knew about my job here and what I do. Made some offhand comments about my having the dream job at a candy factory. I excused myself back to watch my son, and she gave me her card and offered to talk more about my skills.”
Avery produces the card from her pocket and tosses it on the conference table.
“When my son’s team broke for lunch, Bobbi DuBois and I went to a Cuban food cart, where she paid for my meal and asked me to show her what I can do. Which I did since it’s no secret that I am good at what I do.”
Slowly, Avery’s arms cross, and she shifts to another foot, pinning Kennedy—the member to make the blunt accusation—with narrowed eyes.
“She asked about my income, and when I excused myself again, she offered me a job at Lindt for a six-figure income and a seven-figure bonus. Which I turned down.”
The flare of her nostrils prepares me for her final remark. Her eyebrow lift makes heat boil in my center.
“If you don’t believe me, call Bobbi Dubois yourselves. I don’t need her card back.” After another haughty pause, she spreads her hands. “Are you done with me now?”
I nod. “Thank you, Miss Caruso. We’ll talk after the board discusses.”
She spins on her heel and marches out of the boardroom in a huff, leaving the door swinging wide open.
I take a deep breath. Avery is all the more beautiful when she’s mad.
Ryder meets my gaze, his eyes wide and a bit wild. Wyatt appears more pleased, leaning back in his chair. He’s alreadyexpressed his contempt for the board and their shortsightedness—his exact words.
Pam appears and closes the door for us, disappearing on the other side.
I spread my hands on the table. “I believe her.”
It’s best to make my stance clear, so that’s where we start. Silence spreads for a few seconds before Ryder agrees with a simple, “Me, too.”
Wyatt crosses his arms in defiance. “This entire thing is ridiculous. Of course she didn’t do it.”
