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“Harper, wait,” I called out as she quickened her pace.
But she didn’t stop or turn back. It wasn’t until we were outside that I finally caught up to her, gently grasping her arm. She pulled away from me with force, looking up at me with a mix of anger and hurt. “Just leave me alone.”
“I can’t,” I admitted, feeling vulnerable and exposed. “I don’t want things to be like this between us.”
Her expression softened slightly, torn between her emotions. “You can’t have it both ways, River,” she stated firmly. “I’m not even sure if we would be good for each other.”
“Please don’t give up on us before we’ve even had a chance to find out,” I pleaded.
She lowered her head and turned away. “I need time,” she said softly before quickly walking away. “I have to get back to work before I really do get fired.”
All I could do was stand on the sidewalk and watch her go. As harsh as my words were toward her, I still believed there was something between us. A spark that ignited when we first met in the dark, and knowing who she was only made it stronger. There was no way I could let her slip away without a fight.
~15~
Harper
The conversation between me and River went completely sideways. I had no choice but to step down from his account and hand it over to Drake. Douchebag Drake, to be exact. A smile crossed my face as I remembered River’s description of him. Wishing I could take back what I said, I knew I should never have offered Drake up to take his account. For one thing, it would never work. River despised him as much as I did. Even if I went through with it, I wouldn’t be able to handle Drake throwing my failure in my face.
Tossing the rest of my uneaten sandwich in the trash, my eyes fell on the Triage file. As I pulled it in front of me and opened it up, I couldn’t help but feel regret. Even though things between River and I were left unsettled, I couldn’t deny the feelings I had for him. I just wished there was a way we could be together without jeopardizing my job.
As I lifted my head from the file, I was met with the imposing figure of Sidney standing in the doorway. His sharp features were tense and his gaze seemed to pierce right through me. “Do you have a minute?” he asked, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
I hesitated before answering, unsure of what this unexpected meeting could possibly be about. “Sure,” I replied cautiously.
Sidney took a seat in one of the chairs in front of my desk, his perfectly tailored suit making him seem even more intimidating. Clearing his throat, he spoke sternly. “River Stevenson just called, and I had a strange conversation with him.”
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of River’s name. Did he tell Sidney about our disastrous lunch episode? “You did?” I began tentatively, wondering what exactly River had revealed. “What did he say?”
“He wants you to move your office to the Triage Building,” Sidney continued, his voice growing even sterner. “He suggested you work here part-time and at Triage part-time.”
My mind raced as I tried to comprehend how that would even be possible. “But… that’s not feasible. I have other clients besides his account,” I pointed out.
“I made that argument with him as well,” Sidney replied curtly as he leaned back in his chair. “I don’t know what’s going on between the two of you, and quite frankly, I don’t want to know. All I care about is keeping River Stevenson happy and maintaining his business. Whatever it takes, do it.” He paused before adding, “From here on out, some of your other clients will be divided among the other associates.”
My heart sank at his words. This was not fair or reasonable in any way. “Sidney, you can’t just…”
“This is not up for discussion,” he cut me off firmly. “You’ve made quite an impression on the firm and if you do this, I can guarantee your name on the wall, alongside mine and the other partners.” A fiery determination burned in Sidney’s eyes as he rose from his chair, leaving me stunned and speechless.
The ultimatum that Sidney had thrown down in front of me was like a sledgehammer to the chest. It knocked the wind out of me and left me reeling, unable to form coherent thoughts or words. But then, amid the chaos and confusion, a seed of determination sprouted inside of me. I wasn’t going to take this lying down. With steely resolve, I reached for my cell phone and quickly searched for Triage International’s contact information.
As I waited for someone to pick up on the other end, my anger toward River boiled over. He had crossed a line, and I refused to let him get away with it.
“Triage International. How may I help you?” a woman’s voice greeted me when the call connected.
“I am Harper Scott, River Stevenson’s attorney. It is imperative that I speak with him immediately,” I demanded.
“I’m sorry, but Mr. Stevenson is not available at the moment. Are you sure you’re his attorney?” her confusion evident in her tone.
“Yes, it’s imperative that I speak with him right now.”
“He should be at your firm, Black, Worth, and Shell,” she informed me
Before I could protest, River suddenly walked through my office door. “Nevermind, he just walked though my door.”
I quickly ended the call, my heart racing as I watched him close the door behind him and lock it before making his way toward me. Every step he took brought him closer to me, and I could feel the tension building inside me. Pushing myself up from my desk, I rounded it with determination boiling inside me.
“What the hell, River? I told you I needed some time, which didn’t include talking to Sidney,” I spat out, seething with frustration. My hands clenched into fists at my sides, my body rigid with anger.
