Page 160 of Sassy Love
I want to tell her we should probably invest in a new copier for many reasons, and not just the one where?—
“If you’re hesitating about mentioning you and Lawson, I’ll save you the angst, weallknew.”
Her serious expression flips to amusement as my own falls with surprise, heat filling my neck and face. “Oh.”
She laughs. “Carlie Lamont, PR extraordinaire, spitfire and hurricane all rolled into one. You know that’s why I hired you, right?”
“No?”
“You reminded me of myself when I was your age. And without that fire, this place would have died a quick death a long time ago.”
It’s all I can do to smile as every sentiment she lays between us hits.
Like purpose.
Like home.
“When I brought you two on, I had a little dream of retirement. Leaving the two of you at the helm. Me, sipping margaritas in the Bahamas. But now...”
“Now he’s gone.”
“He is.” Her expression is sad but empathetic.
“I—”
She holds up a hand. “Time will work it out. I trust your choices. I have from the start, but this place needs growth. And we needed Lawson to do that.”
“We both did.”
I don’t know why I said that, but it has me rising from the chair and through her door.
“Carlie?” she calls after me.
I turn back to find the older woman smiling, her hands laced under her chin, elbows propped on her desk. “Don’t ever lose your fire.”
“Yes ma’am.”
I find Nadia at her desk in the foyer, but Serelle calls her in a second later.
Serelle’s words take their toll. My eyes swell and blur, and I spin back, heading for the fish tank. I open the glass door and clear my throat. “Out!”
Bob leans back in Lawson’s chair. The fucking balls on this douchebag.
“Now,” I growl.
A crackle through the air turns to a whine, and we all freeze as the oldest PA system in existence fights to come to life around the office. “Bob, effective immediately, you’re fired.” Serelle’s deadpan tone echoes around the large room. Every set of eyes homes in on the fat, balding man in Lawson’s chair.
“What the fuck did you tell her, you bitch?” He’s out of his chair and in my space a heartbeat later.
“Me? Nothing. Your ass has been officially handed to you by all the women in this office you preyed on. You did this to yourself.”
He raises a hand, balling it to a fist, as spittle flies and I dodge sideways.
I catch his wrist and kick the side of his knee, not taking my gaze from him as he crumples to the ground in a lumpy, bald, disgusting heap. “Get out, and do not come back.”
“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer,” he chokes as he pushes to all fours and then rises on wobbly feet.
“Excellent, a direct line to relay every sexual harassment and assault case to. You’re a gem, Bob, really.”
