Page 49 of My Office Rival

Jason opened his mouth like he was about to say something.

Gene gave an evil smile. “Tell her what to do.”

“I don’t need Mr. Elliott to tell me what to do. Our team is on top of things,” I said crisply. “Mr. Elliott, unless you need me to tellyouwhat to do?” It made no sense, but I needed to turn the tables, and fast.

Jason’s whole body jerked and his expression shuttered. What had I said?

“Is that all?” he asked.

“Yes, thank you.” My client dropped the call, and I stayed seated, watching Gene gather his materials and shuffle out. He looked far too pleased with Jason’s behavior.

As soon as he left, I sprang out of my chair. “So you’re his attack dog now? Do you enjoy that?” I spat.

“Just doing my job,” Jason responded mildly, but the flex of his jaw belied his cool words.

“You embarrassed me in front of my client, Jason. What the hell? You didn’t need to make it look like I was unprepared. You didn’t need to pressure me.” My voice rose with each word. This was exactly the kind of thing that would get back to Gerald and come back to hurt me.

How could you do this?I didn’t say.

He finally looked at me. His blue eyes were hard and his face wastight. “Nothing about our living situation is going to change how I conduct myself in business.”

“The way you conduct yourself is shitty,” I shot back.

“My clients don’t think so.” He looked smug.

“That’s because he’s a thug like you’re pretending to be. This isn’t the real you, Jason.”

He leaped up and leaned over the table. “You don’t know the real me.” He hissed the words and his eyes were cold.What the hell?

I stepped back at his venom. “Noted.” I gathered my materials and left.Asshole. I had to hold on to my anger, because if I didn’t, I would cry.

I drove furiously on the way home. Finishing the rest of the day from home wasn’t brave, but I was done being brave today. I clenched my hands on the wheel.Why do you care?Jason had always been like this. He’d tormented me on deals countless times. But it had never felt so personal. It had never felt so much like betrayal.

31

CYNTHIA

Iwas curled on the plush navy couch, doing work and trying to forget about Jason when my email pinged. His name popped up. I ground my teeth together and turned off my notifications.Freaking asshole.

I stabbed at my computer keys as I revised the purchase agreement. Jason’s clients were not forthcoming enough and, if I were being honest, I was getting a little spooked. This agreement needed to be ironclad.

My phone rang. Why wouldn’t he leave me alone?You have to answer. It’s work.I sighed and hit accept.

“What do you want?”

“A meeting to go over the next batch of diligence requests.”

“Jason. It’s two p.m. I said end of day. Do you need me to use smaller words?” I clenched my jaw in frustration.

“Let’s just have a quick meeting. Meet me in the conference room.”

“I’m at home. And in any case, I wouldn’t meet with you. You are insufferable and you make me want to push you into traffic.”

“I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

“If you want to meet, it can happen at the house.” My turf. For the moment, at least.

He hung up, and I slumped back in my chair. He was relentless. This was why he was the best. His profile had been featured in Chambers as a rising star. I knew that Mr. and Mrs. Harris were his personal clients. I had to admit a grudging respect for him, even if I hated his methods. But respect for him didn’t mean I had to lose all respect for myself. He was toying with me, trying to control the deal, and that wouldn’t stand. I needed to establish some boundaries during this meeting. We were equals, and I was tired of fighting him.

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