Page 95 of Cross-Checked

“So then waiting would make sense, if the only thing I was worried about was my reputation. But it’s not the only thing I’m worried about.”

“It’s not?” The question is so raw, and so vulnerable, it makes me wonder if he doesn’t trust me not to break his heart.

“No. I’m also worried about how it will make you feel if I have to hide this relationship like there’s something wrong with us being together?—”

“Thereissomething wrong with it,” he reminds me. “The power dynamic is off. You’re my boss. Legally, this puts you at risk of someone claiming this is sexual harassment.”

I tamp down the laugh that bubbles out of me, so instead it comes out like a low rumble. Not because there’s anything funny about sexual harassment, but because this so clearly was not that.

“Yeah,” I tease, “but if anyone is guilty of sexual harassment, it’s you.”

“Me?” He sounds affronted.

“I mean, you did maul me in my office, then come to my hotel room uninvited...” I give him a wink to make sure he knows I’m teasing. Then I say, “For real, though, Sarah from HR will get statements from both of us, showing that this is a relationship we’ve both entered willingly. And I’ve already recused myself from your contract negotiations, forever. I literally have no power over you.”

“That’s not true, and you know it. Your influence extends beyond contracts.”

I step closer, continuing to rub Abby’s back as her head grows heavy on my chest. It must be her bedtime by now, and she’s clearly tired. “I’ve already given up any and all professional control I have over you. I’ve handed all management of you over to Jim.”

“The new assistant GM, who hasn’t even started yet?” he confirms.

“Yes.”

“Thus making you appear to be ineffective as a GM?” His eyebrows dip. “Nah. If that comes out, even without any detailsas to why, it’ll just give those assholes a reason to not give you an award you deserve.”

“The other GMs wouldn’t be assholes to question this. You know Brett Ivers?” I ask.

“Chicago’s GM?”

“Yeah. It’s going to come out, probably later tonight, that he’s been put on administrative leave. And he’s lost the nomination for GM of the Year because of it.”

“What did he do?”

“Sexual misconduct, it sounds like. Unwanted advances toward someone who worked for him.”

McCabe’s chuckle has his shoulders shaking as he steps closer and drops his voice to say, “Nothing about this is unwanted, Sunshine. And I’m happy to tell that to anyone who asks.”

“Sarahwillbe asking. She’ll need you to make a statement on the record, so that there’s proof that this is consensual.”

He leans in to kiss the crown of my head, and Tabitha uses the proximity to rub her head up and down Abby’s back, right next to my hand.

It’s the same motion as when she runs the top of her head along a piece of furniture, like she’s scratching an itch. But it seems so affectionate compared to how she acts when I try to touch her. And here she is,stillin McCabe’s arms, while I’ve never been able to hold her without her immediately struggling to be free.

We stand there, with a child and a cat pressed between our bodies, and it feels like we’re a family. It feels like everything I ever wanted...which both thrills and terrifies me.

“I’ll be happy to tell her just how consensual this is.” His voice is raspy as he talks quietly, probably not wanting to wake Abby. “How much detail should I give her? Do you want me to tell hereverything?”

I know he’s joking, but just to be clear, I say, “Let’s not mentionanyspecifics. We’ll just tell them this has been developing for a few weeks, that it’s consensual, and that we don’t want to hide it anymore.”

“It feels a bit weird to think that Frank knows we’re sleeping together.”

“Why is that any weirder than anyone else knowing?”

“Besides the fact that he signs both our paychecks? Maybe because you two have always seemed to have a bit of a father-daughter relationship.”

I tilt my head as I study his face—his bright green eyes half hidden behind those dark lashes as he gazes down at me, with the look of affection he wears so openly now.

He gives me a little smirk. “Do I need to go ask him for your hand or something?”

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