And I’d smile modestly because I’m humble like that.
Now every daydream starts strong and ends with my disembodied voice chirping, “You’ve got this, Georgie! Deep breaths! Just don’t burp!”
Honestly, the presentation disaster wasso badthat no one even teased me after. That’s when you know it’s rough—when your coworkers skip the banter out of pure mercy.
I glance over at Craig’s glass office, where he’s probably showing Patrick my work but with his name on it.
Jake’s back in London this week from his latest trip, which is cool. He and Patrick always hang out when they’re both around. They’ll hit up some bar and leave with a matching pair of models or venture capitalists or whatever kind of gorgeous, confident women are in the area. Just like always.
Not that I want to think about my brother’s nightlife with Patrick. The thought makes my stomach twist. I don’t know why. It’s not like it affects me.
Fifteen minutes later, Patrick emerges with Craig trotting behind him like an overly pleased golden retriever who’s just won Best in Show.
I snap my eyes back to my screen as Patrick passes and heads for the elevator. Finally, I can breathe again.
“Good news, team,” Craig announces. “We’re moving to the implementation phase. Roy, you’re heading to Skye to oversee the install.”
Roy blinks. “Wouldn’t Georgie be better for that? She knows the system inside and out.”
I freeze. What the hell is he doing?
Craig’s expression hardens. “We can’t have knowledge silos. Everyone needs to understand the system.”
“Sure, but for the first install—”
“Is there a problem?” Craig’s voice rises enough to make everyone in the vicinity suddenly very interested in their screens. “Georgie can talk you through it from here. Unless she’s been keeping information to herself? Not being a team player?”
I stare at my screen, heart thudding. Roy’s trying to help, but Craighatesbeing questioned, especially in public.
“No problem,” Roy says, voice flat. “Of course I’ll go.”
“Good.” Craig nods sharply, then storms back to his glass tower.
“Roy,” I hiss the second it’s safe, “what the hell?”
“You did most of the work. You should be the one to see it through.”
I force a tight smile, trying not to feel anything. “Seriously, it’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. And I don’t even want to go to Skye. I’ve started talking to the hot neighbor. She’ll never go out with me, but still, it’s hard to flirt from Scotland.”
I huff a laugh. “Of course she’ll go out with you. You’re a catch.”
He arches a brow. “Funny how you can say that about me, but never about yourself.”
I roll my eyes and turn back to my screen. The glow makes my reflection look even more exhausted than I feel.
I nudge Riri’s photo back under my calendar. I know what she’d say—something sharp about standing up for myself.
But you’re not here to say it anymore, are you, Riri?
I spent her last months—without realizing they were her last—stressing about Craig, meetings and deadlines.
I poured everything into work, thinking that’s where my worth came from.
Now she’s gone. And I see how wrong I had it—she was worth so much more than any job ever could be.
And for what?
