Page 120 of Gather the Storm

My heart hammered in my chest on my way up the stairs to work Monday morning. It was a testament to my screwed-up life that on the heels of my mind-blowing sex with Wolf and Otis, I had to brace myself for a confrontation with the guy who’d tried to rape me.

I sighed as I shut the door of the Mustang and headed across the street, rehearsing different scenarios until I heard Wolf’s voice in my head —just breathe, sunshine— and forced myself to stop. I had no idea how it was all going to play out so there was no point stressing about it before it even happened.

I crossed the lobby and said hello to Natalie and Kyle as I made my way to my office. I’d started to realize Diana always came in a little late. Perk of being the office manager, I guessed.

I thought about Blake’s phone while my coffee brewed. I still had the feeling I was missing something but I couldn’t imagine what it was. I’d tried every possible password, even resorting to the ridiculous — the dates of big swim meets I’d hunted for online, the birthdates of our grandparents and great-grandparents, even though Blake hadn’t cared at all about mymom’s family and their history with the town — in my quest to unlock his phone.

None of it had worked, and I was fighting against the feeling that it was a lost cause, that he’d chosen some random assortment of numbers that didn’t mean anything at all.

I went back to my office, then opened my computer to start making a list of indigenous species — animals, insects, you name it — to give to Kyle so he could cross-reference it against a list of endangered species. That was kind of my job as an intern: I did whatever anyone needed, and I’d been surprised to find that I enjoyed it. I was learning a lot about all kinds of things, which meant it was never boring at least.

I was adding a new entry —Papilio polyxenes,otherwise known as the black swallowtail butterfly — to the spreadsheet when Piers appeared in my doorway.

It was almost surreal to see him standing there, an older version of Gray, even though he didn’t brace himself against the doorframe like Gray had before everything went to shit.

“Good morning,” he said.

I smiled. “Good morning.”

“Gray is back in the office and I’d like us all to meet,” Piers said with an expression of concern. “I know it will be difficult for you, but I thought it would be best if we cleared the air — assuming you haven’t changed your mind about Gray coming back to the office?”

I shook my head and stood. “It’s fine. I’m happy to talk.”

“Wonderful.” We stepped into the hall and started for Piers’ office. “If at any point you feel uncomfortable, just say the word.”

“Thanks,” I said.

My face felt hot, my pulse like a freight train as we stepped into his office. And there Gray was, sitting in one of the chairs situated in a seating area against one wall of Piers’ office.

I was relieved to see he wasn’t alone: Diana was there, sitting at one end of the sofa.

So she hadn’t been late after all. She’d been here, in Piers’ office, preparing for the meeting with Gray.

“Good morning,” I said.

“Good morning, Daisy,” Diana said, her voice brisk and professional.

“Please have a seat,” Piers said, gesturing to the other end of the sofa.

Gray didn’t say anything, and I avoided his gaze as I sat down.

“I know this may be uncomfortable,” Piers said, “but I want to make sure we’re all on the same page moving forward.” He looked at Gray. “I think you have something to say.”

Gray cleared his throat, but when he met my gaze, there was nothing apologetic in his eyes. They burned with something like hatred even though his expression was composed, and I had to force myself not to flinch as he started speaking.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “There is no excuse for what I did to you that night after drinks at the Mill, so I won’t try to make one. I understand that I made you feel unsafe and that my actions are counter to the safe, supportive work environment Cantwell Holdings strives to provide for all its employees. I’ve completed anti-harassment training and believe I’m capable of returning to work as a better employee and coworker, one who will never allow this to happen again. I hope you’ll accept my apology so we can move forward as colleagues.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, but it wasn’t validation that was lodged there — it was anger.

Gray’s entire speech was so obviously rehearsed, so blatantly forced, that he might have been a bad actor auditioning for a role he definitely wouldn’t get. I knew from the mean shine in his eyes that it was intentional, a not-so-subtlefuck youto me andthe anti-harassment training and the positive work environment Piers was trying to cultivate at the company, and maybe even to Piers himself for making Gray do it.

But that was the genius of it. He’d said the words, had gone through the motions. If I called him out on its obvious insincerity, I’d be the one who looked petty.

I tried to think fast, to come up with a professional rebuttal that would make it clear I thought he was full of shit, but I came up empty.

“Thank you,” I said. “I appreciate that. I’m sure we can continue working together without a problem.”

Piers was visibly relieved. He nodded at Diana, who had so far been silent.

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