Page 109 of Sassy Love
“Not this time.” She huffs a laugh, pushing up on her tiptoes and brushing her lips over my own. Fine fingers claim my jawline as she whispers, “I expect that written request first thing in the morning.”
I close my eyes.
“What?” she breathes.
“Nothing.” I smile around the word.
“It’s not nothing, Lawson.” Her voice sounds... worried.
Of course it does. This is out of her comfort zone.
I open my eyes to find her chewing her bottom lip before she says, “Just tell me. It was bad, wasn’t it?”
I shake my head. “Nope. We’re not doing that. I know exactly what I’m getting with you. After this weekend, I hope you do, too.”
She opens her mouth to respond, but I lift her jaw up with a finger, closing those pretty lips before dotting a kiss to them. “I’ll see you in the morning, Princess,” I whisper.
I dress and see myself out.
Hoping like damn hell I didn’t just ruin everything.
Iget to work an hour early, and the office is quiet. The few women waiting outside were grateful for the early entry, and after making everyone tea and putting out snacks, I head upstairs. Sleeves rolled up and tie already crooked, I get to work on finalizing the new plan before we meet with Serelle.
There’s just one catch—I don’t think we can tell her about the loss of our major sponsor. Not yet.
I think we should wait until the gala. And then, if we can’t replace them, we’ll let her know.
It’s a risk.
But if Serelle figures we’ll never recoup the loss, people will lose jobs. Those women downstairs will have nowhere to go.
Is it really a lie if it’s simply withholding information?
I’m in the middle of contemplating my own character flaws when floral and vanilla shrouds me from behind.
“Morning,” Carlie whispers into my ear as she leans over, lips brushing my ear. A to-go coffee cup plonks on my desk.
I spin around on my chair, looking up into her gorgeous brown eyes. This morning they look a little different. More... mischievous? Happier?
The smile stretching my face sends one blooming over hers. “Ready for this morning’s meeting, Princess?”
She sighs. “I really think we should tell Serelle about the sponsor. Withholding that part makes my skin crawl.”
I take a sip of the coffee. It’s good. It’s hot.
Swallowing, I study her face. “No, not yet.”
“What? Why not?” Her brows lower as she sips her own coffee.
“Well, if we replace the gap at the gala, it’s a nonissue.”
“But if we don’t?”
“There’s a risk that we all lose Serenity.”
“Lawson, that’s not?—”
“I know. I know you’re going to say it’s misleading and it’s lying, but really, it’s just better management. This is what she pays us to do. Manage things. And risk is part of management.”
