Page 99 of Business Casual

“Why does he think he has a chance?”

I sat back in my chair. “I honestly don’t think he thinks he has a chance. He’s one of those guys that likes to play games. And for whatever reason, he enjoys making her jealous. But that situation has nothing to do with me because I’m over him. I’m over that situation. And I’ve been over it for a long time. He’s more like an acquaintance than anything.”

He stared at me in quiet contemplation.

He doesn’t believe me.

I couldn’t blame him, but damn. It hurt.

I studied his expression, looking for any indication of anything. But it was blank. I opened my mouth to apologize, but he interrupted.

“And how credible do you think his threat is?” he questioned, the tension in his face never ceasing.

“Oh, no!” I shook my head. “I don’t think he’s going to say anything. He’s a self-involved, attention-seeking asshole, but he’s not going to say anything.”

“I can’t trust that.” He closed his eyes and sighed. “I’m going to have to talk to my father. I’m going to have to come clean.”

“A-are you sure that’s the only option?” I stammered.

“Yeah. I don’t know what shit is going on between you and ol’ boy, but I’m not going to have someone threaten my career. Whatever the consequences, I’ll figure it out. But it’ll be worse coming from someone else. At least I’ll be able to get in front of it.”

“When? I mean, I definitely see your point,” I said carefully. “But when? Now?”

He frowned. “No, not now. It’s a company violation, so I’ll handle it in the office.”

“I’m just worried. How do you think Mr. Franklin will respond?” I whispered shakily.

“Not well. But on Monday…” His voice trailed off and he shook his head. “There’s no other way.”

Shifting from one foot to the other, I fretted over the options before us. “There has to be another way to fix this.”

“There isn’t. But you have a contract, so your job is safe. And you have the legal upper hand, so you don’t have to worry about that either.”

I grabbed his arm. “It’s not justmycareer I’m worried about. I don’t want anything to happen to you either. Let’s just figure out another way. You have your big meeting on Friday with the board. Look, I’ll make sure Avery doesn’t open his mouth. I just can’t let it go down like this. I can’t let you go down for something we both did,” I rambled, my throat starting to burn.

“I knew better. I’m in the supervisory role.”

“Avery’s girlfriend is his secretary or assistant or whatever she is. He wouldn’t risk going to HR on us because then I’d go to HR on them.” The words tumbled from my mouth as I frantically tried to figure out an alternative.

“Imani, it doesn’t matter at this point. If it’s not him, it’s going to be his girlfriend. If it’s not her, it’s going to be Josephine. If it’s not Josephine, it’s going to be someone else. I was careless and now I have to do what I have to do.”

“But—”

“Alex! I was looking for you! There’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Mrs. Franklin exclaimed, gleefully smiling at her son. Her champagne glass was almost empty, so she finished it as she looked between us. “I’m not interrupting anything am I?”

Tre cleared his throat. “No, Mom. We were just finishing up.” He looked at me and nodded. “Let’s pick this up later, Ms. Jones.”

He might as well have punched me in the gut.

“No of course,” I choked out, waving them away. “You two go have fun. I’m going to chit chat and then call it a night.”

“You are so beautiful,” Mrs. Franklin complimented. “Are you single?”

“Uh-yes ma’am,” I stammered, giving Tre a sidelong look.

“Alex has a cousin—”

“Okay, Mom, that’s enough,” Tre interrupted, gently trying to move her shoulders and shift her away from me.

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