Page 112 of Business Casual

“No, I didn’t say anything to anyone about it.” I watched the crease in her forehead deepen. “The name won’t leave this room.”

She gave me a solitary nod. “Thank you.”

Turning on her heel, Josephine left my office. I sat in stunned silence for at least ten minutes, reflecting over the conversation. I was wrong about her. Well, I was right that she knew about us. But I was wrong about her motives. The whole time, I thought she was casting judgment, but she was warning me. I couldn’t wrap my brain around it.

I was wrong about Josephine. I was wrong about Sydney. Could I be wrong about—

Looking down at the folder, I sighed, “One thing at a time.”

With the full story of what happened to Christina Walls and Josephine Reed fresh in my mind, I wanted to look over the paperwork one more time. I knew I felt protected, but I still reread my copy. But when I went to stack it with the others, I noticed that it was formatted a little differently. My brows furrowed as I started to read.

“Workplace relationship disclosure document?” I said aloud when I got to language that didn’t match the document I signed.

I read the same list of points of agreement and then my heart started pounding in my chest.

Alexander Franklin III (employee in supervisory position) will not participate in any discussions or decisions related to the terms of Imani Jones’s (subordinate employee) employment, including those related to evaluations, discipline or discharge, compensation, scheduling, promotion or demotion, and development. Due to the nature of the assignment the subordinate employee was contracted to work on, the employee in the supervisory position will report to CEO monthly. The romantic relationship does not violate Franklin Financial’s anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies due to the contracted nature of the subordinate employee. Participation in the romantic relationship has not been made a condition or term of employment and was voluntarily and expressly stated by subordinate employee.

I couldn’t breathe.

I gulped down large mouthfuls of air as I read the rest—which mirrored the one I signed. As I came to the end, it all started to click.

These were the two options he was talking about.

This is why he said it was my decision.

He asked me what I wanted.

I closed my eyes tight, and I remembered the look he gave me when he said, ‘I didn’t choose this. You did.’

I signed that one, too.

Glancing at the clock, I grabbed the folder and flew out of my office. I had thirty minutes before Tre was going to meet with his father. Nerves didn’t twist my gut until I was knocking on his door. Not waiting for him to answer, I turned the handle. He was halfway to the door when I walked in.

His eyes pinged over my face. “Imani…hey.”

“So, when you asked me what I wanted, I didn’t answer because I didn’t want to lie,” I blurted out.

“I’m listening,” he uttered, glancing at the folder in my hand.

I walked up to him, leaving five feet between us. “I’ve told you that I have feelings for you, but I’ve never told you that I want to be with you because I didn’t think it was an option. I didn’t want you to resent me if you get fired. And I didn’t want prospective clients to think I had sex with you to get the job.”

“Anyone who sees how impactful your work has been to my project will know that you didn’t get the job because we slept together. And I would never resent you—”

“You don’t know that,” I argued.

“Imani.”

“Tre, I’m serious. Your relationship with your dad is important and I don’t want to come between you two. Besides the fact that he’s your dad, he is both of our supervisors and when you talk to him, he’s going to be upset.”

“My father’s disappointment in me for my actions is mine and mine alone. Whatever happens today happens.”

“So, if your dad or the board fires you because of me, how could you look at me the same?”

“Imani…” He scrubbed his face with his hands. “I’m the COO of the company. I took the risk. I took the chance. I know better. If I get fired, it’s because of my choices. Not yours. So, tell me why you’re here.”

With my stomach in knots, I shifted from one foot to the other. “Ask me again,” I demanded softly.

“Ask you what?”

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