Page 101 of Say You Remember Me
“First,” she began, glancing at her notes, “can you explain how the decision to go along with the engagement story came about? Did you feel pressured or obligated to agree?”
I exhaled slowly, my mind flashing back to that first moment in the restaurant when Ian had introduced me as his fiancée. “It was spur-of-the-moment,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “Ian ran into someone he knew—an ex—and it seemed like he panicked. He introduced me as his fiancée before I could process what was happening. Later, he asked if I’d be okay playing along for the duration of the summit to keep things from getting awkward. I didn’t feel pressured exactly. He asked, and I agreed.”
Marsha’s pen moved over her notepad as she nodded. “Did Ian at any point suggest, imply, or directly state that this was necessary for your job or advancement at the company?”
“No,” I said firmly. “He made it clear that it was entirely my choice.”
Her gaze lifted, steady but not unkind. “Were there any instances where you felt uncomfortable or unsure about your role in this arrangement? If so, how did Ian respond?”
I hesitated, chewing the inside of my cheek. “There were moments,” I admitted. “It’s not every day you pretend to be engaged to your boss, so it was a little weird at times. But Ian was always respectful. If I’d said I wasn’t okay with something, I believe he would’ve listened.”
She nodded again. “Can you confirm whether any physical or romantic interactions occurred between you two during the summit? If so, were they consensual?”
My face heated. “There were…a few kisses,” I said, my voice quieter now. “But they were consensual.”
Marsha made another note. “Do you feel that Ian’s position of authority influenced your decisions during this past week?”
I thought about it, running my finger over a scratch in the table’s surface. “I don’t think so,” I said finally. “I didn’t agree to this because he’s my boss. I agreed because I thought it was harmless at the time.”
“Were there any moments where Ian acted in a way that made you feel pressured or uncomfortable?”
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “He was…considerate. I never felt pressured.”
Marsha looked at me carefully, as though trying to gauge my sincerity. “Do you believe this situation has impacted your ability to perform your role effectively?”
I hesitated, then nodded. “It’s been a distraction, for sure. And with the rumors spreading, it’s hard not to worry about how people at work will perceive me now.”
“Have you experienced any backlash or unprofessional treatment from colleagues because of this situation?”
“Not yet,” I admitted. “But I haven’t been back to work since the summit, so I guess I don’t really know what to expect.”
“Do you feel safe and supported in your position at the company?”
“Yes,” I said. “I’ve only been with the company a short time, but I’ve never felt unsafe.”
“And how would you like to proceed professionally after this situation?” Marsha leaned back slightly, her pen pausing mid-air before she folded her hands on the desk. “Are there any accommodations or changes you’d request?”
I considered the question, the weight of it settling heavily over me. “I just…I want to do my job. I want to move past thisand not have it hanging over me—or Ian—for the rest of my time at the company.”
“Thank you for your honesty, Maddie.” Marsha gave a small nod, her expression still neutral. “I’ll be reviewing this meeting with the board, and you can expect a follow-up call in the next day or two to go over their findings.”
“Okay.” I nodded, managing a small, tight smile. “Thank you.”
The call ended abruptly, the screen going blank before I could even process the past fifteen minutes. Marsha didn’t mess around—she’d gotten straight to the point, just like she had in my previous two job interviews and during the hiring process. No fluff, no wasted words. And, really, what else should I have expected?
I reached for my phone, the familiar weight of it grounding me as I typed a quick message to Ian.
Me: Just finished the HR interview. Wow, they really wanted to dig into everything, didn’t they?
Of course, I understood why HR had to ask all those questions—it was to make sure I was safe, that nothing inappropriate had happened. But wow, having to tell the person who’d interviewed and hired me just weeks ago that I’d turned around and kissedmy bossin his hotel suite?
Probably not a great look.
Maybe I should just save everyone the awkwardness and quit.
If I moved back to Ridgewater, I could help my dad recover without him feeling the need to uproot his entire life and move to Eden Falls. And it would save me the trouble of finding a placefor Grant and me, especially since I hadn’t gotten far in that process anyway.
Sure, I had wanted to move away from Ridgewater for a fresh start. But now, after making headlines, I’d probably just get the same whispers and weird looks in Eden Falls—or even New Haven. So, what was the point?
