Page 95 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

I give her a solemn nod and she saunters away, muttering about what an idiot I am.

I agree. I am an idiot.

The bell over the door of The Gravy Train chimes, and I look up to find Jessa walking through.

I stand and wave at her. She makes her way over to me.

“Thank you for meeting with me.” I wave my hand toward the booth. “Please, have a seat.”

“I’m only doing this because you threatened to just show up at the office and I didn’t want to deal with the dramatics of it all.”

She slides into the booth, and I return to my seat.

“So,” she says, folding her hands together, setting them on the table, “what do you want to talk about?”

Straight to it, then.

“First, Jessa, I owe you an apology.” She quirks a brow. “What Holland and I did was way out of line and completely unprofessional, and I am sorry we disrespected you like that. I am especially sorryIdisrespected you like that. You gave me a chance when nobody else would, and I pretty much shit on it.”

Her lips fall into a flat line in a kind of half-frown, half-smile thing. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

“There is one part of it I can’t apologize for, and that’s falling in love with Holland.”

Jessa’s brows rise at my confession.

“I didn’t mean to. It wasn’t planned. What happened between us did not begin at work. It began four years ago. Hell, if I’m being honest, it began in high school. This is something I can see now. This thing…it’s been simmering between us for a long time, and for a long time we denied ourselves until we couldn’t anymore. But I want you to know that what we did wasn’t intentional, and it wasn’t malicious. It justwas.”

“I…wow. Sutton—”

“I’m not finished. I need you to know none of this was Holland’s fault. I was the one who pursued her. I’m the one who basically cornered her into being roommates. I’m the one who initiated our cat-and-mouse game, and I’m the one who kissed her first. Sure, by the end of it, she was a willing participant. But if I wasn’t…if I hadn’t made the first move, none of this would have happened. And that’s why I asked you here today.” I lick my dry lips. “Holland doesn’t deserve to be fired. Yeah, she broke a rule, but I think we both know her talents and abilities far outweigh the bad. She is amazing at her job, and she is going to make your company a lot of money. She’s smart, passionate, and capable, and she deserves that project manager position way more than I ever did. I really hope you can take all of the incredible qualities about her into consideration and offer her the job back, because she loves what she does, and I know she has to be miserable without it.”

Jessa is quiet for several moments, then she takes a sip of her water and finally speaks.

“Honestly, when you asked me to meet you, I figured you would be begging for your job back. But I’m surprised you’re not here for yourself at all. You’re right, Holland is an incredible employee and she was making amazing strides in her time with Spectrum Marketing. But…” She inhales a sharp breath, and I know what’s next.

I hold up my hand, stopping her. “Please, just think about it. You once told me you didn’t want me to make any rash decisions, anything I wasn’t ready for. I figured since you once gave me your personal opinion, I’d return the favor. Only this time I am using it to sway your thoughts.”

Her lips twitch. “I understand. And I will think about it.”

I exhale the breath I feel like I’ve been holding for the last week. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“I actually need to get back,” she says, gathering her purse. “I have a meeting soon.”

I stand along with her, and she holds her hand out and meets my eye.

“I am sorry that our professional relationship had to come to an end, but I thank you for bringing your Barnes magic to the team while it lasted. Best of luck with everything, Sutton.”

I give her a smile, and she turns on her heel and leaves.

I run a hand through my hair, sighing and silently praying it works.

Needing the caffeine after the intense conversation, I down the rest of my coffee and toss a ten on the table for Darlene, then make my way outside.

I’m surprised to find Dean leaning against my car.

His arms are crossed over his chest, and with the glare he’s sporting, I’d say he’s pissed.

I lift my chin and stuff my hands in my pockets.

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