Page 71 of Worth the Wait

"As for your situation," he continues, "I won't pretend it's ideal. Office relationships always carry potential complications—doubly so when both parties are exceptional attorneys on similar career paths."

My stomach tightens, preparing for the worst. Jackson's hand squeezes mine gently.

"That said, this firm values both of you. You've both proven yourselves to be assets to Blake Financial, particularly in your work on the Westfield account." Miguel returns to his seat, his decision apparently made. "I'll handle the situation with Christine. In the meantime, I expect absolute professionalism during office hours and complete transparency about any situation where your personal relationship might influence professional decisions."

Relief floods through me so powerfully I feel momentarily lightheaded. "Of course," I manage.

"Absolutely," Jackson agrees.

Miguel nods once, decisively. "Good. Then I believe we can cancel our ten o'clock meeting, as the matter has been addressed." He smiles slightly. "I appreciate your initiative in coming forward. It shows judgment and maturity—qualities this firm values highly. Even if it’s a few weeks late.”

As we leave Miguel's office, I feel both drained and exhilarated. In the elevator, away from watching eyes, Jackson pulls me into a tight embrace that I sink into gratefully.

"You were amazing in there," he murmurs against my hair.

His arms tighten around me briefly before we separate as the elevator approaches our floor.

“I’ll see you later," he says quietly before we separate. “Don’t forget I have drinks with my buddy Scott who’s in town, but I’ll make sure to come find you before I leave work.”

"Okay," I reply, already looking forward to the moment we can be alone again. "I love you.” I say the words before I can even stop myself. His eyes widen and a huge smile slides across his lips.

“Love you too, baby.” He winks. "See you later, Counselor," he says with that half smile that still makes my knees weak after all these years.

"You've been sleepingwith Jackson Hayes for how long and you didn't tell me?" Zoe's voice rises above the ambient chatter of the wine bar, causing me to frantically gesture for her to keep it down.

The candlelight casts a warm glow across her fake shocked expression as she stares at me over her half-empty martini glass. I've finally revealed everything—our high school history, our reunion at Blake, and the complicated relationship that's developed over the past few months.

"It's not something I've been advertising," I mutter, taking a large sip of my own drink. The alcohol burns pleasantly down my throat, easing some of the day's residual tension.

Zoe rolls her eyes so dramatically I fear they might get stuck. "I'm not asking why you didn't take out a billboard, Tarryn. I'm asking why you didn't tellme."

"I was worried about my professional reputation," I admit, fingers nervously tracing patterns in the condensation on my glass. "If word got around that I was sleeping with a colleague, especially one I'm competing with for promotion that I’m alsoworking on a project with, it could undermine everything I've worked for."

Her expression softens slightly. "I get that. But you know I can keep a secret."

"I know. I just…" I sigh, struggling to articulate the tangle of fears and desires that have kept me silent. "I guess I thought if I didn't talk about it, it would be easier to maintain boundaries. To keep it casual."

"And how's that working out for you?" Zoe asks with a knowing smirk.

The heat rising to my face answers before my lips can form the words. "Not exactly as planned."

"No shit." She laughs, signaling the bartender for another round. "So, tell me about Christine. You mentioned she tried to warn you off Jackson?"

"She acts like she's trying to protect me, but it feels more like manipulation," I finish. "Using her experience as a weapon to control my choices. And I did ask her about her ex-fiancé, told her I saw the photo, and after hearing that entire story, I honestly can’t help but feel bad for her."

Zoe's expression shifts, her eyes widening as something seems to click into place. “Wait. Oh my God, I cannot believe I forgot to tell you this!” She sets down her glass with deliberate precision, leaning forward with the unmistakable excitement of someone about to drop prime gossip. "Do you know the real reason Christine was pushed out of Miller & Walsh? That 'engagement' wasn't what she's been telling everyone."

The intensity in her voice makes me lean closer. "What do you mean?"

"David Richards wasmarried, Tarryn." Zoe's eyes are wide with the delight of sharing premium gossip. "Christine was his affair. She knowingly broke up his marriage. The whole 'the firm chose him over me' story is total bullshit."

The revelation truly shocks me. “Holy shit! You’re sure about this?"

"Positive. My roommate's sister apparently works at Miller & Walsh, which I’m just now finding out. The partners covered it up to protect the firm's reputation, but everyone there knows what really happened. They didn't push her out because she was a woman—they pushed her out because she was sleeping with a married partner and it got messy."

I sit back, processing this new information. The carefully constructed image of Christine as victim of professional sexism crumbles, replaced by something more complicated—and far less sympathetic.

"That fucking hypocrite," I mutter, anger rising hot and fast. "She's been using her experience to manipulate me, positioning herself as some kind of cautionary tale when really she was the villain in her own story."

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