Page 90 of When Glitter Meets Gold

“What?!” Sara shrieks.

That asshole. That fucking, slimy asshole. Did he just suggest pulling Sara from her own project without even discussing it with her first?

“I have no idea how these numbers were leaked,” Sara tells him. Then to her boss, “I’m sure we can discuss this later?”

A rush of fury travels through J’s veins because the guy has completely blindsided her. How the fuck can she stand to work with this prick?

“The deal goes ahead.” Jack glares at Walter. “With the original team.” He waits for Walter to protest, waits for Sarato say something, to put Walter in his place like he deserves, but she doesn’t say anything, her features speaking a thousand words instead. She’s furious, but she remains composed. It’s killing him. Fuck, he wants to punch this guy right in his nose.

Instead, he draws in a deep breath, gritting out, “Thank you, Walter. That’s all.”

Walter clears his throat, clearly startled by the dismissal. “Very well.” It’s his inability to read a room that keeps him bumbling on the spot longer than necessary. Eventually, he nods. Mumbles bullshit about being grateful to work with him before he finally exits the lobby.

J dips his head, lowering his voice so only he and Sara can hear as he places his hands in his pockets.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she says. “I promise I didn’t?—”

“Don’t,” he says firmly. Then he removes his hands, ready to pull her into him but dragging his hands through his hair at the last moment. “I know you didn’t leak the files. Walter’s an asshole. He blindsided you.”

A rushed breath of frustration slips from Sara’s throat. “I know.”

If only he could get through to her, make her see she’s so much better than working for this idiot. “He was trying to embarrass you. Sara, that man is never going to support you. He should be protecting his team, not throwing you under the bus to save his own ass. He’s dangerous.”

Sara nods, her voice weak. “I know. I’m going to talk to him.”

“Good. How have you lasted this long with him? He’s got no right treating you like that.” Jack shoves his hands back in his pockets.

“I said, I know,” Sara says firmly, looking irritated. “Look,he’s my boss and sometimes you just need to play the game. Not all of us have the luxury of owning a billion-dollar company, Jack.”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I meant I hate the way he treats you when I know how capable you are. It’s not the respect you deserve.”

Her eyes are glazed with a layer of moisture. “I don’t like it either.” He has to make fists in his pockets because all he wants to do is pull her into his chest and comfort her. “But I can handle it.”

He sighs. “I know you can. But he’s going to pull the same bullshit again. Do you expect me to stand there and watch as he continues to disrespect you? It’s driving me nuts.”

Her head snaps up like something he said hit a nerve. Her face is anger and frustration and hurt all in one. “And it’s driving me nuts that you won’t stay out of this,” she says like she just wants to dismiss the entire conversation. “I don’t need you to defend me, and I don’t need your opinion on how I should handlemyboss inmyjob,” she tells him firmly. And then, as if that didn’t hit him deep enough in the gut, she adds, “You’re not my boyfriend, Jack.”

He doesn’t move, but something inside him wants to recoil. It’s like his insides are collapsing and his chest is being folded in half, crushing him slowly and there’s not a damn thing he can do to stop it.

He forces an even tone. “I’m not your boyfriend.” He nods. “I know that. Got it…” he trails off, his voice hoarse.

Sara inhales deeply, her movements look strained, and she looks like she wants to be anywhere than standing with him. She blinks, face completely resigned. She shakes her head.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to say that.” She bites her lip. “I’m sorry. I have to get back to work.”

And then she’s stepping around him, walking away, the girl he’d fallen for too quickly, gone before he can find the words to make her stay.

37

SARA

In all the shitty things I’ve ever said, telling Jack he wasn’t my boyfriend, is high on the list. I mean, he’s not my boyfriend, but the way I said it came out so much crueler than I meant.

The entire exchange left me feeling gross.

Not to mention, I’m still furious he couldn’t find five minutes to sayoh by the way, I know the mean chick from your office, I’ll explain when I’m in a position to.

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