Relationship. Not fling. Not mistake.Relationship.
Come on, Patrick. Say something.
Say you want to fight for this. Say Jake doesn’t get to decide. Say anything that suggests last night was just panic and anger and now, in the morning light, you’ve realized what we have is worth saving.
For a painful, hopeful second, something flashes in his eyes like he’s about to speak.
I hold my breath, waiting.
He shakes his head. “Georgie, about what happened—”
“Don’t.” I cut him off because I can’t bear to hear him formally end things. “I know what you’re going to say. It’s over. Fine. I agree.”
He breathes out harshly, like he’s had to haul himself back from somewhere dark.
“Because you know what?” My fists clench at my sides because trembling isn’t a good look, and I’m determined to keep at least one thing under control. “I don’t think you’re good enough for me anyway.”
His jaw tightens, but he stays silent, letting me say it. Letting me have this tiny victory.
“I don’t want to be treated the way you treat me.” My voice gets stronger as I go on, even though my heart is hammering. “You say you’re direct, but you’re not direct with me. You’re—” I force the words out. “Emotionally stunted. I don’t need that. You might be older, but I’m more emotionally mature. So, you can kindly fuck off. Please.”
Thepleaseruins it a bit, but manners are hard to shake.
His jaw clamps down like he’s trying to stop himself from talking. That muscle in his throat jumps, and for a second, I think he’ll fight back and tell me I’m wrong.
“You’re right. I’m not good enough for you. You deserve better.”
Those words should feel like a win, but they just confirm that I never mattered enough for him to fight for.
When he speaks again, it’s businesslike and curt. “Don’t see this as affecting anything to do with your job. And if you leave because of me, I’ll make sure you’re looked after. We can sort out a generous package.”
Even now, I’m just an HR issue to resolve. I wanted to matter to him as a person. Instead, I’m a line item he can settle with severance.
“I’ll think about it. But for now, I’ll finish my work from London. The majority’s done. So, if you could approve that with Craig, I’d be grateful. No need for me to be here. Since I’m just a junior developer taking all my direction from Craig, I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”
He doesn’t jump in to tell me I’m more than a junior dev. He misses the jab. After everything we’ve shared, he still doesn’t see my professional value.
Maybe, ironically, that’s what hurts the most. Not the romantic rejection, but this professional dismissal. Like I’m nothing special in any capacity.
“Excuse me.” I step back, throat tight. I need to leave before I cry again, before he sees how small he’s made me feel.
THIRTY-SEVEN
A radical thing called boundaries
Georgie
Two days after Jakeleft, Craig called.
“Patrick wants a healthy team rotation,” Craig barked down the phone. “You’ve done your stint in Skye; now you can finish IRIS in London. Perhaps you’ll find it easier to focus on the technical work here, rather than whateverextracurricularactivities were keeping you so busy up there.”
My stomach dropped.
Craig’s got an even bigger chip on his shoulder about me now. He won’t say it outright, but there’ve been rumors floatingaround since the intercom incident. Everyone’s whispering about it, but nobody can confirm it outright.
Roy says people don’t believe it was me with Patrick. That makes sense. Silly Georgie Button from IT and the CEO does not compute.
“No offense, love,” he’d said, “but they think you’re too wholesome for that sort of carry-on.”
