Page 39 of The Moment They Can't Forget

“Once, I heard a rumor about Jonathan being taken to court for sexual harassment, but nothing happened and the case was dropped. I knew this because Kathy from accounts drank too much at the staff Christmas party. I pumped her for information about people, and she spilled.”

Zoe’s heart was racing, and her palms felt sweaty.

“In fact, she said he’s tried it with a few of the staff, or so she believes.”

“I don’t want to talk about it, Lil.”

“Don’t you think if there is something dirty with the place I work, I have the right to know? Zoe, you loved that job. The only reason you would have left would be if you had no choice. Tell me why.”

Lil was correct there. She’d had no choice.

“I’m not naming names, but yes, someone harassed me to the point that if I didn’t do what he asked, I wouldn’t get the promotion I wanted, and he’d make my life hell,” Zoe said.

“That fucker!”

“Language, young lady,” Tripp Lyntacky said, running by with Bart.

“Sorry!” Lil raised her hand. “Who runs at this hour?” she then whispered. “And in a red silk tasseled shirt?”

“I could not begin to make you understand the level of crazy in this town,” Zoe said. “I told you about our fixation with square dancing.”

“Yeah, I’m waiting for the time I have to dance. I studied up on the grapevine twist before I came,” Lil said.

They both fell silent then. Lil grabbed Zoe’s hand and swung it a few times.

“Did he hurt you?”

Zoe sighed. Her friend would keep at her until she told her everything. She hadn’t spoken to anyone, but maybe it was time to talk.

“If I tell you anything more, promise not to tell my brothers or do anything when you get back to work.”

“Promise,” Lil said solemnly.

“I mean it. You love that job, and I won’t have you ruining your career over this.”

“I’ve promised already,” Lil snapped. Her fuse had always been shorter than Zoe’s. “Spill.”

“I worked late one night, and a man—I’m not naming names—called me into his office. He told me if I wanted that promotion I was angling for, then I needed to get on his desk naked and show him how much. I laughed. He didn’t.”

“Asshole,” Lil hissed.

“He said if I didn’t do what he wanted, I wouldn’t be in line for any promotions, and I may as well leave the company now. I grabbed his shoulders and kneed him hard in the balls, and then I told him what I thought of him and walked out.”

“And you won’t mention names?”

“No,” Zoe said.

“You should have fought this, Zoe. Fought it for all the other women who have or may go through this.”

“I wouldn’t have won,” Zoe said. But the guilt inside her grew.

“You should have tried, and it’s not too late.”

“I know. I guess I was just shocked, and then all I could think about was getting out of there and as far away from him as I could.”

Lil wrapped an arm around her waist. “You should have told me.”

She hugged her friend back.

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