Page 20 of Some Like It Hops

“You’ve been served.”

My jaw clenches and my free hand curls into a fist. “What the fuck?”

He leaves the building quickly and it takes everything in me to watch him go without chasing him down and beating that self-righteous look off his face.

What a weasel job that is, process serving.

I’m vaguely aware of eyes on me as I rip into the envelope and scan the contents.

“Marlena,” I growl. A sexual harassment suit. You’ve got to be kidding me! “Fuck!” I roar on my way back to the elevator. I press the call button repeatedly until the elevator arrives and the doors open, then I storm inside and slam my palm against thedoor closebutton until the elevator starts rising.

My teeth grind as a muscle in my jaw works overtime, my mind spinning out of control. This could cost me everything I’ve worked so hard for. One stupid mistake. One fucking careless moment. TheonetimeI let my guard down.

It doesn’t matter that I stopped Marlena before things went too far. It doesn’t matter that I said no. Clearly not soon enough.

My foot taps anxiously against the elevator floor as it makes its ascent, taking far longer than usual to get to the top floor. When the lift finally stops, I’m in the lobby of Fast Lane Enterprises before the elevator doors even fully open. I pass the other offices on my way to the back, then stride into Brad’s office and slap the file down on his desk.

He jumps, looking up at me quickly. “What the—”

“Read it.” I begin pacing the room.

The papers rustle as Brad picks them up, then silence follows.

Finally, I look at him. “I didn’t fuck her.”

He shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter.”

“What? Of course it matters!”

Brad opens his mouth to speak, but I interrupt him. “I stopped it before it went too far.”

He sighs. “You’re her boss, Griff. Ifanythinghappened, it went too far.”

I sink down into a chair and bury my face in my hands. “This could ruin me.”

“We’ll figure it out.” He pulls his desk phone in front of him and picks up the receiver, dialing quickly. “Javier. It’s Brad Wykoff. We have a… situation.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I pull it out.

It’s a text from Charlie.

My stomach sinks. Perfect, passionate,feministCharlie. She’ll never want me now.

The first text is her address for our date tonight, but the little text bubble is on the screen, indicating she’s typing more, and I can’t bring myself to look away. Finally, she adds,looking forward to seeing you.

I shake my head as I delete the text thread, then block her number in my phone.

I’m not fucking good enough for Charlie Harper. The fact I ever thought I could be is laughable.

I look up as Brad hangs up the phone.

“Javier is on his way. We have to get in front of this thing before all hell breaks loose.”

I nod, unable to find words.

I didn’t do anything wrong. But this lawsuit could mean the end of Fast Lane, the end of me.

Chapter Eleven

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