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He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. The same goes for anyone I fire over this. I don’t care what you believe. It’s how you act. You lack integrity and loyalty, and those are two qualities I expect from my employees. I’ll be generous and give you half an hour to collect your stuff and go. Amber, can you handle this for me?”
“Sure, Mr. Cogswell,” Amber says. She rises and gestures for Veronica to follow her out.
I keep my gaze on the floor at anything other than Veronica as she leaves. When the door closes behind them, I lose it. I throw my hands over my face so Carter doesn’t see me cry.
He gives my arm a consoling rub. It reminds me too much of the way he grazed his hand against Lisa. I swat him away.
“Mia, it’s only me,” he says, his tone gentle. I hate how safe his assuring voice makes me feel. “Come here.” He pulls me close to him and wraps me in a hug.
I relax my head against his chest and sink into his embrace, even though I know I probably shouldn’t.
He lifts my chin up, then gives my forehead a soft kiss. His lips press against mine, where they linger for several wonderful moments before he pulls away and embraces me once more.
“Fuck, I hate that this happened to you.” When I don’t say anything, he continues, “Are you okay?”
“Truthfully? No.”
He sighs. “Why don’t you take a few days off? You’re shaking.” He wipes a few tears from my cheek. “What can I do to make you feel better?”
I close my eyes shut. His voice is so sweet. It’s making me want to stay in his arms. This isn’t an acceptable way to feel. Not after I was just accused of sleeping around with the higher-up. I’m relieved Carter’s name was never mentioned, although it wouldn’t surprise me if that was Kristen’s next move.
I push myself away from him. “I think I’ll go home. I want to be alone.”
He steps forward. “I’ll come with you.”
I shake my head. “There’s no need. You have too much to do here.”
“None of it matters as much as—”
“I said I want to be alone, Carter,” I say. If he was to finish that sentence, I just might let him follow me.
“Wait,” he says, then steps in front of me. “Let me get your things from your desk. Stay here.”
I bite my lip as I wait for him to retrieve my belongings. When he returns, he brings me my work bag and cell phone, making sure to close the door behind him so our conversation remains private.
“Thanks,” I say, sounding as drained as I feel now that my anger has subsided.
“Take all the time you need,” he says. “Give me a call if you need anything.” He gives me a kiss on the top of my head, then steps deeper into his office so I can leave.
When I get to my rental car in the parking lot, I place my stuff down on the passenger’s seat and take out my phone. I go to my call list and pull up Ava’s name.
“Hello?” Ava says, her voice urgent. “What’s going on? You never responded to any of my texts.”
I rest my head on my seat. “Things escalated at work just now. Kristen met up with one of the interns I was growing close to and lied to her about how I…advance my career.”
“What the hell, Mia? Send me everything you have. I’ll sue them.”
I huff. It’s moments like these that make it fun to have a lawyer for a best friend. “There isn’t enough evidence to sue anyone. Carter is letting me have a few days off to cool down, so I’m headed home.”
Ava sighs. “I’ll come over later to keep you company.”
I breathe out a laugh. “Sure. Bring lots of alcohol.”
“Of course,” she says. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Bye,” I say and hang up.
Before I put my phone in my bag, my text notification goes off.
