Page 85 of Claiming Her Cougar
“Yeah.Mortified, but I’ll survive,” I say.
Miller gives my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
Teagan, Liam, and Jake join us.
“What a cow,” she mutters.
Assorted coworkers offer us congratulations and well-wishes as they get coffee from the break room and head back to their desks and offices.We smile and thank them.
“I think the cow is about to be slaughtered,” Miller murmurs with a chin jerk, directing us to look across the room where Janet is entering Mike’s office.Mike looks our way and nods before closing his door.
“Moo,” Jake intones, causing us all to laugh and garnering looks.
“You’re not the first person she’s pulled crap like that on, Mallory,” Ben says.“But hopefully you’ll be the last.She’s toxic.”
“And sneaky,” Miller says.“She went too far this time.”
I cast a worried glance toward Mike’s closed door.
“It’s not because she targeted you specifically,” Miller reassures me.“It’s that she said something like that aboutanyone.”
“We shouldn’t be standing here watching Mike’s door like a flock of vultures,” I say.“I’m going back to my desk to finish up the last few collections matters.Good seeing you, Teagan, Jake.”
With my attempt at a calm, friendly smile, I turn and walk back to my office.I make it to my chair before my knees buckle.Propping my crossed arms on my desk, I rest my head on them and groan.I can’t win.I tried so hard to not have whatever my relationship was with Liam be an issue in my job, and here it is, alluded to in the middle of a department-wide meeting.Great.
“Hey.”
I raise my head.Liam’s entered my office and is standing in front of my desk with a look of concern on his face.What I wouldn’t give to be held by his powerful arms and to rest my head against his chest.I could cry, and he’d let me.Well, he would have.Before.Not now.
Daphne comes rushing in right behind him and comes to my side, bending down to give me a hug.
“Oh my God, Mallory, are you okay?”she asks as she releases me and straightens up.She leans a hip against my desk next to my chair.
Tears fill my eyes, and I blink rapidly to keep them from falling.I guess news of my humiliation made it down to the second floor already.
“No.Yes.I don’t know!”I pull in a shuddering breath.“I’m embarrassed.Everyone knows Janet was talking about me and Liam, no matter how Teagan deflected it.That’s what I’ve been trying to avoid.”
From the main room, I hear Mike say, “Take your purse.We’ll have your personal belongings boxed up and delivered to your home this evening.”
They fired Janet?I don’t think they’ve fired anyone in the year I’ve been here.Except for retirement or a change in life situation, no one leaves Morgan.It’s a great company to work for, and they’re loyal to their employees.
“It’s been discussed before, even before recent events.She’s been given multiple chances and used up her last one,” Daphne says in a whisper.
I nod.The elevator doors close, chatter resumes in the office, and I let out the breath I was holding.
“She’s spread similar rumors in the past.No one cares.She’s like the girl who cried wolf.No pun intended.”She’s trying to make me laugh, bless her.
“Well, this time they’re true!”I whisper-shout.
“No, they’re not.Your position here has nothing to do with your position with him.”Daphne shoots Liam a dirty look.
What’s up with that?She’s always been Liam’s biggest fan.
Liam clears his throat.Other than “hey,” he’s had nothing to say to me.What is there to say?
“Mallory, I…” He stops, his eyes searching my face like he’s looking for something.I don’t know if he finds it or not.“I’ve got to catch my flight back out to Montana.I caught a chartered flight with Penhall executives who were coming here from out west for Devil’s Den business, but I’ve got to get back to finish up.I’ll be home next week.”
He reaches out like he’s going to place his palm against my cheek.As much as I’d love to close my eyes and revel in that minor contact for a moment, I pull back.Liam doesn’t get to touch me like that.Not anymore.
