Page 99 of Conflict
“HEY, STRANGER.”
I look up from my desk and see Bryan there, his shoulder leaning against the doorframe. I grimace, feeling terrible that I’ve abandoned him in the last few weeks of my sexcapades with Shane.
“Hey, I was just about to email you to see if you wanted to do lunch.”
“Uh, today’s probably not a good day for that,” he says, his voice sounding off.
The frown on his face gives me pause. “What’s going on, Bryan?”
He steps into my office and closes the door behind him, something out of character for him. “Listen, we need to talk.”
I swallow hard, wondering what the hell is going on. The cloud nine bubble I’ve been on for months threatens to burst, but I tell myself to keep cool until he tells me what this is about.
“Okay, you’re freaking me out, so will you just spill it, please?”
“Word’s gotten around that you’re dating a Wellington.”
I blink. “Okay? It’s not like I was keeping it a secret. Hell, Sawyer’s known since day one and he doesn’t care. Why should anyone else?”
He holds his hands up. “Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m not sure anyone does care, except for one person.”
I sigh, sitting back in my chair. “Let me guess. Archibald’s on the warpath.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know anything for sure, Lyss. If I did, I’d tell you. But I don’t get a good feeling about it. You need to tread carefully.”
And that just pisses me off. “Me?”
“That came out wrong. Just…watch your back. I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.”
“There’s no wrong idea to get, Bryan. Shane and I don’t discuss work. He didn’t even acknowledge the fact I was working Filiatrault until last week, and that was only because Wellsley told him.”
Bryan nods. “Yeah, that’s making the rounds, too.”
I lift my gaze to the ceiling. “God, it’s like freaking high school in here.”
“Hey, it could be nothing. Just know that, no matter what, I’ve always got your back.”
I give him a smile. “Thanks, Bryan. That means a lot.”
I’m so engrossed with my work that I nearly jump out of my seat when another knock sounds at my door. When I look up, Mr. Wellsley steps into my office and closes the door behind him. Alarm bells ring, but I maintain my composure as best I can. Perhaps we can put what happened behind us? Wishful thinking, I know, but dammit, I love my job and don’t want to lose it. I also don’t want to lose Shane.
“Ms. Covington, do you have a moment?”
Though it’s on the tip of my tongue to say no, I resist. Instead, I plaster on a smile and nod. “Of course, Mr. Wellsley. What brings you below the top floor?”
His lips curl up into what I think is supposed to be a smile, yet it looks more like a sneer. “I wanted to come to an understanding with you in regards to the Filiatrault account.”
I sit back in my chair, struggling not to raise my eyebrows in suspicion. “Of course, Mr. Wellsley. What can I do for you?”
“It’s not what you can do for me, per se, but what you can do for the company.”
“I assure you I’m working as hard as I can.”
He clears his throat. “Let me blunt. You’re dating our top rival’s chief financial operator. If talk around the office is true, you’re practically shacked up with him.”
I can’t help the blush that crosses my cheeks. It gives Wellsley affirmation.
“As, so it is true. Perfect.”
