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“I’m all right, thanks. I—”
“Laine and I were just talking about you taking a few days off.”
So Brandon had beaten her to it, she thought. And in his way.
“I appreciate that, but I don’t need time off. I hope to finalize the Baby Mine account today, and I hope to present some initial designs on the Kettering account by the end of the day.”
The quiet sympathy in Matt’s eyes, the speculation in Laine’s had Sonya tossing the plan out the window.
“I take it you heard we’ve called off the wedding.”
“Brandon called me last night.” All sympathy and comfort, Mattrubbed her arm. “He’s upset, of course, but he feels—I agree—you just need a little space, a little time. Planning a wedding is beyond stressful. I can still remember snapping and snarling at Wayne when we were planning ours.”
“He contacted you, our boss, on a Sunday night, to tell you I was stressed over wedding planning?”
“We’re not just bosses. We’re family here. We hope everyone here knows our door is always open if there’s a problem. Isn’t that right, Laine?”
“Of course. And yes, weddings are stressful to plan. I helped plan my daughter’s last year, so I know. I’ve also seen you handle all manner of stress, Sonya. So I was surprised when Matt told me you’d had a kind of crisis over the wedding details.”
“I had a crisis?” Your mistake, Brandon, she thought, trying to draw me as hysterical. On to Plan B, designed on the spot. “I guess you could call it that.”
“And nothing to be ashamed of,” Matt assured her. “You take a break, pamper yourself a little. I’m sure you and Brandon will work this all out.”
“That’s not going to happen. I had this crisis, since we’re calling it that, when I got home unexpectedly early Saturday afternoon and found Brandon in bed with my cousin. Imagine my surprise. And imagine my additional surprise when I learned that wasn’t the first time.
“So there’s not going to be a wedding. I don’t need or want time off. I came in this morning with no intention of telling you the embarrassing details of my decision, but to let you know I’d changed my mind regarding the wedding. And to ask if, because the situation would be awkward for a time, Brandon and I aren’t assigned to the same project.”
“I— Are you sure about the… the circumstances?”
“Oh please, Matt.” Laine gave him an eye roll. “I think Sonya’s sure what she saw with her own eyes. I’m very sorry to hear it.”
“Yes. God. I’m sorry. Do you want some tea? I can get you some tea.”
“No, thanks. Thank you. I’m fine. I really am. I know it’s awkward, but I give you my word I’ll behave professionally in the workplace.”
“We’ll hold you to that word,” Laine said. “And we’ll expect the same from Brandon. You recently finished a project together.”
“Two weeks ago. We don’t have any mutual projects right now.”
“We’ll keep it that way, for now. Sonya, if you want a day or two, to decompress, and to handle what I know must be a slew of cancellations, notifications, you can certainly have that time.”
Laine lifted her hands. “And any help we can offer.”
“Thank you, really. I’ve got help with the details, and I’d honestly rather work. I’m sorry to bring all this in to you.”
“Workplace romances.” Laine smiled a little. “Who hasn’t been there? The door is open, Sonya, if you decide you need that time.”
“I appreciate it.” She rose. “I’m going to get to work.”
It didn’t surprise her to find Brandon waiting between the office and the stairs.
“We need to talk.”
When he reached for her arm, she stepped back. “Don’t put your hands on me.”
“We’re not having this discussion out here.” He gestured toward the door of the presentation room. “I prefer to keep my personal business private.”
“Then you shouldn’t have called Matt last night and lied to him.” But she walked through the door.
