Page 67 of Perfect Scandal
I give a light laugh. “God bless the ABR.”
Shoulders shaking, he glances out across the yard and sighs. “Never thought you’d be the first of us to get hitched.”
“No? Disappointed I beat you to the punch?”
“Nah. I’m just glad that, between you and Kaden, I’m gonna look like a saint in Mom’s eyes. Not that I haven’t always been her favorite child.”
“Oh please.” I roll my eyes and pull my feet beneath me on the chair. “Crap is getting deep now.”
One side of his mouth kicks up in a grin. “At least you didn’t marry that pretty guy from college.”
“Eli? God no.”
He makes a small throaty sound before he becomes quiet again. “Dean is a helluva guy, Tess,” he finally says. “I’m always gonna worry about you, but at least now I’ve got someone else watching over you, too.”
“Kaden doesn’t see it that way.”
“Kaden is thinking with his head, not his heart.”
“Well, his head is wrong.”
“Yes, but he’s a McMurray. We’re a hard-headed bunch.”
“That’s for sure.” And it doesn’t excuse his behavior. “He said some hurtful things last night, Hol. Thing I’m not sure I can forget.”
He nods. “I know. And soon enough, he’s gonna wish he could take them back, at least where you’re concerned. But Dean... you’ve gotta understand they work together. Every day. He feels betrayed, and you can’t blame him for that.”
“Just like he can’t blame me and Dean for following our hearts.”
Holden dips his chin. “You’re right. But again… he’s a McMurray. You have to give him some time.”
Time I can do. But I draw the line at belligerent hypocrisy.
“Thank you,” I say softly. “For not treating me like a little kid.”
He looks me over and that new gleam shines in his eyes a little brighter. “You haven’t been a kid for a long time, Tess. I’m sorry it took me so long to accept that.”
chapter 25
TESSA
“Spencer has been relieved of his position at BoCo Creative, and Jeff will undergo intensive retraining, not only on the company’s policies, but on the federal employment laws, too.” Lori smiles from across her desk as if I should be pleased with the update.
“Retrained? What he did could be considered coercion. At the very least, manipulation.” Not to mention a violation of my rights as an employeeanda woman.
“I understand how his approach could be viewed that way, but I have to believe his actions were well-intended, and he was trying to be fair to both you and Spencer.”
“Youhaveto believe, or you’re choosing to?” Because I’ve had far too many conversations about beliefs and assumptions lately, and I’ve about had it.
“Tessa, I know this has been a difficult situation for you, and I am so very sorry that you were ever made to feel uncomfortable here at BoCo. I assure you we will take every precaution to ensure it never happens to you or any other employee again.”
Uh-huh. I’m sure she is sorry. And I don’t doubt she’ll make good on her promise to put Jeff through all sorts of training.
But I will never be able to trust him again.
“I can’t work under Jeff anymore. I’m sorry, but I just can’t.”
Lori nods. “I understand, and we are fully prepared to move you to another creative team. Shayla has already expressed interested in taking you on.”
