Page 32 of Ranger's Secret

Ms. Chen, making good on her threat.

I close my eyes and try to prepare myself for another conversation where I have to defend what Delaney and I shared. Another person who's going to look at our love like it's something dirty and wrong.

But as I walk toward the main office, all I can think about is the look on Delaney's face when she said this was over.

The way she walked away without looking back.

9

DELANEY

The call comes the next morning while I'm still in my pajamas, drinking coffee that tastes like ash and staring at my laptop screen without really seeing it.

"Delaney, we need to talk." My boss Edward’s voice is carefully neutral, which is never a good sign. "Can you come in the office this morning?"

I know what this is about. Ms. Chen called them yesterday, probably within minutes of catching me in the woods with Jagger. I've been waiting for this shoe to drop since I got home.

"Of course," I manage. "What time?"

"How about ten? Conference room B."

Conference room B. The one they use for firing people because it's tucked away from the main area. Private. Discreet. Easy to escort someone out without causing a scene.

I hang up and stare at my reflection in the black screen of my phone. Yesterday, I was on top of the world. I thought I had won the biggest account of my career, felt more confident and capable than ever before, and was falling in love with a man who made me feel like I could conquer anything.

Now I'm about to lose my job because I couldn't keep my hands off my best friend's brother.

The meeting is exactlyas humiliating as I expected. My boss is there, along with Janet from HR and Ms. Chen on speakerphone, her voice crisp and professional as she recounts finding me "engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with a park employee while representing Morrison & Associates."

"The optics are extremely concerning," Ms. Chen continues. "It calls into question Ms. Holt's professionalism and judgment, as well as her ability to represent Trailbound's values."

I sit there taking it, my hands folded in my lap like a schoolgirl being scolded. There's no point in defending myself. No way to explain that my relationship with Jagger had nothing to do with my professional performance without sounding like exactly the kind of person who would sleep with someone for career advancement.

"We've decided to award the account to Sterling Creative," Ms. Chen concludes. "Their approach aligns better with our company culture."

Brett's approach. The shallow, exploitative marketing that Jagger called out on the first night. But at least Brett kept his dick in his pants long enough to win.

After she hangs up, my boss delivers the final blow with the kind of practiced ease that comes from years of firing people.

"I'm sorry, Delaney. We can't overlook the professional judgment issues here. We have to let you go."

Professional judgment issues. That’s what it comes down to. And they’re right.

I never should’ve given in to that wild, reckless part of me. I played with fire, and now I’m burned.

I made the choice. I crossed the line.

And now I’m paying for it.

I clean out my desk in a haze, stuffing personal items into a cardboard box while my former colleagues pretend not to stare. Sabrina from accounting gives me a sympathetic smile. Marcus from the creative team avoids eye contact completely.

By noon, I'm standing on the sidewalk outside my former office building, holding my box of belongings and wondering what the hell I'm supposed to do with the rest of my life.

The first textfrom Jagger comes that afternoon.

I'm sorry. I know you're hurting and it's my fault. Please call me.

I delete it without responding.

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