Page 4 of Playing With Secrets
My brows narrow. “Just how did the rule of the executives not being able to date make it into the executive's contracts?”
“When we got sued by one of our past employees for sexual harassment. You should know that, but you were new to the game when that took place.” He smiles at a passerby.
“I vaguely remember it. Wasn’t there extortion and blackmail associated with that entire ordeal?”
“You remember correctly. It could’ve destroyed us, but we came to an agreement and settled out of court. It could’ve been ugly. We decided then we needed the clause.” He glances at his empty glass.
Reading his cue that he’s about to go get another drink, I get straight to the point.
“It seems to be an extreme stipulation. If two people wanted to date within our organization and were open about it, I would like to believe we would support it.”’
“What are you getting at?”
“Having the clause could cause our employees to break the rules, which is worse. We’re more at risk of a lawsuit if they hide it because we won’t know it’s happening.”
He nods. “I see your point, but it doesn’t seem to be an issue. Not one executive has questioned that part of their employment agreements. HR has them sign off on it so they’re aware it’s there.”
I sidestep to let an older gentleman in a tux pass by. “If one of our executives had an issue with it, what would happen?”
“We’d have to review it and see who was involved. We'd probably remove the clause as long as everybody was on board and we created proper forms that showed consent and an agreement not to make any claims against the company.”
“Hmm, that’s interesting.”
Removing Dorothy’s clause may be easier than I thought. I was trying to get around the board through legal channels.
I’m disappointed in myself that I didn’t think to approachthe clause issue head-on. Going straight to the board seems too simple, but sometimes the most obvious things are the hardest to see.
Douglas excuses himself as I frantically devise a plan to address this as soon as I get home. One less thing that separates me from Dorothy is the ticket to us getting back together.
That thought has me ready to lick the drool from the corner of my mouth and taste my win for her love. It’ll be nothing less than delicious.
The issue of me wanting kids is still a hurdle. But with help from my new therapist, I am warming up to the idea.
My stomach twists in protest. The thought of taking care of a child freaks me the fuck out. Okay, maybe not warming, but I’m trying to get closer.
Then there’s the Ava issue, but I’m going to get out of our agreement one way or another. Everyone has their price.
“Hunter Efron. Good to see you, man.” Colton Monroe slaps me on my back. The night he hit on Dorothy comes to mind.
I turn to him, holding back the urge to roll my eyes. “Colton, I see Mateo invited you to be his wingman again. You’re beginning to appear desperate.”
I scan the crowd for Mateo. I’d like to get more information about Jamison, and Mateo’s just the guy to give it to me. He knows Jamison better than most.
“Not desperate, Hunter. These events always have the most beautiful women in attendance. I’ll never pass up an opportunity such as this.”
Colton winks at a cute staff member as she struts by. “That reminds me. When is Dori going to show up to one of these again?”
“You mean Dorothy?” His interest in her grates on me, so I hold his stare.
“No, I mean Dori. She told me her name was Dorothy,but asked if I would call her Dori. I make it a point to call a gorgeous lady like herself by the name she prefers. It goes a long way.” He flashes a smile, telling me all the things he’d like to do to her.
I want to throw him to the ground and pound in his face. “I suggest you quit thinking of her in that way. She’s off-limits.”
“Why is Dori off-limits to him, Hunter?” Ava’s dad comes up from behind me.
Ava steps up to us with anguish dripping from her eyes. “Are you seeing her behind my back?”
Dammit!
