Page 36 of Falling for Mr. Bossy Pants

“Jared. Those numbers were right. I need you to understand that.”

“Lacey, they weren’t. Not on what I saw. I know it’s your first time on a project this size and you have a lot going on with the bakery. I think you should let David handle it from here. There’s plenty of other smaller projects that could use your attention.”

My eyes start to fill, but I blink rapidly before any tears can fall. “Jared. You’re not letting me explain.”

Jared glances at his watch then back at me. “Lacey, I need to go. I have to catch a plane and head to Vegas so I can meet with some other potential investors. I don’t have much time.”

I can’t even believe what I’m hearing right now. His words come out gruff and I can hear the disappointment in his voice. I have nothing more to say, so I turn and make my way to the door. Just as my hand touches the handle, I hear him softly call my name, “Lacey—”

I don’t wait for him to finish his sentence. I think I’ve heard enough today.

Chapter twenty-two

Jared

I barely have time to head home, grab my carry-on and head to the airport. Shane did some fast thinking and after a few phone calls we were lucky these potential investors said yes to this meeting. As I sit at my gate, I look at my phone. I feel horrible at how things went with Lacey but pulling her off this project seemed the logical thing to do. We just can’t afford another mistake when we are so close to the finishing line. I know there’s nothing I can say at this moment that’ll make her feel better, and I don’t even know what I would say. I check my emails one last time before boarding the plane and shut my phone off. I’m feeling worn and I plan to shut my eyes for the flight.

I feel the plane skid and hear faint mechanical sounds. I open my eyes surprised to see we have landed in Vegas. Sleeping on planes isn’t something I’m usually good at and the fact that I just slept through an entire flight unsettles me. I scrub my hands down my face and pull out my phone. As it powers up, I see multiple notifications. I click on messages and see I’ve missed two from Shane.

Shane:Did you board yet?

Shane: I sent you an email but call me before you check it.

I make my way to the rental car thankful I have a gold membership. I was already texted by the rental agency the parking spot number for my car. I look up and see my name flash across the spot for confirmation. Thank you technology. I get in and call Shane before I leave the parking space.

He picks up on the first ring and I don’t even let him greet me. “Shane?”

“Hey Jared. Glad you got there. Listen, there’s something you need to know. This afternoon, a picture has been circulating.”

I scrunch my forehead not having a clue where Shane is going with this. “Picture? What are you talking about?”

“Of you. And Lacey. It looks like you’re at a restaurant holding hands and getting pretty cozy.”

My breathing stops. I look at my phone and click my inbox and open Shane’s email. Staring at me is a picture of me and Lacey holding hands at our first date dinner. We’re leaning into each other and it’s clear it’s more than friendly.

“Shane. Where did this come from?” I say trying to hold back my rage.

Shane sighs. “I’m not sure. I have IT digging into it, but it was distributed to everyone at Whitmore Tech.”

I chew my lip and smack the steering wheel. I could say so many expletives right now, but I know it won’t help. I take a deep breath. “Shane, let me know if IT finds anything. Give me an update if you sense this can’t wait until tomorrow. My flight arrives back in Littleford tomorrow afternoon.”

“Got it. Look, Jared, I know it’s bad timing, but just focus on this pitch okay? We really need these guys to buy in.”

I lean my head back against the headrest. “Yeah, I know. I’m on it. Talk to you later.”

I drive to my hotel and check-in. I pull out my laptop to see the original email with the picture. The sender is blank and there’s no other context. This is not what I need right now and as I think about how I’m going to start dealing with it my phone chimes. I grab it off the nightstand to see Lacey’s name.

Lacey:Hi. I know you’re not in town right now. But you should know someone has circulated a picture of you and I from dinner. It wasn’t me that did it.

I didn’t once think that it would be Lacey. She has too much to lose doing something like this. My mind is so jumbled I’m not sure where to take this conversation.

Me: I know. Shane told me. I’m starting to handle it now. I have IT looking into it.

Lacey: Should I do something?

I sit back on the bed when it occurs to me, she’s probably getting all sorts of looks and comments from people in the office.

Me: Has anyone said anything to you?

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