It’s not the first time someone has been inappropriate to me in the workplace, but it’s usually customers. Maybe Rodwasn’tbeing a creep—but he probably was. Theo seems upset; he must have overheard.
Maybe I’m overreacting, or perhaps I’m not.
I haven’t known him long, but I have a feeling it’s rare to see Theo like this. There’s a harshness to his words and a commanding tone I’m not expecting to come from him. He certainly doesn’t talk tomelike that.
“Go finish lunch in your office,” Theo says. “That’s an order.”
I don’t breathe until Rod leaves and Theo takes his place in front of me. Theo’s presence is usually so casual, but it’s thunderous now. I can tell he’s trying to hold it together, but a storm crackles beneath the surface.
He’s like Everett, I guess—the protective type.
“I was going to take you to lunch,” Theo says. “There’s a place down the street. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize.” I shake my head and smile weakly. “The sandwich is good.”
It’s mostly uneaten. The lettuce is wilted, the tomatoes aren’t exactly ripe, and none of that matters. It’s not why I’ve lost my appetite.
Theo narrows his eyes. “Was he bothering you? You can be honest.”
“No…” I pick the lettuce off my sandwich. “He probably would have if you didn’t come by, though.”
“What an asshole.” He rubs the bridge of his nose. “Don’t worry. I’m taking this right to HR. We don’t stand for that kind of behavior here.”
“No!” I grip the edge of the table. “Please. Don’t. I don’t want to start trouble already?—”
“You’re not starting trouble. This isn’t your fault.” His jaw ticks. “If he’s willing to talk like that to you, he’ll do it toanyone. This is about keeping a safe work environment for everyone.”
He’s right. I’m being selfish. “That’s true.”
“It is.” His expression softens. “Don’t worry about him. Keep learning your job and leave this to me. This ismyjob.”
With Theo around, eating my sandwich is a little easier—but my stomach still feels uneasy.
“I’ll introduce you to other people after lunch,” Theo says. “There are better people around than that. I promise.”
THEO
“It will be nice to have someone as pretty as you around the office.”
In any other setting, the words would be harmless. If I heard some guy saying that to Evie at a bar, I would look the other way—as long as she seemed interested. Saying that shit in my office? No way. No way in hell will he get away with it.
I’ve been in business long enough to know women are constantly mistreated. Some men have even assumed my COO, who happens to be a woman, is my assistant. I’ve fired men for the kind of comments Rod made at Evie.
And he did that shit on her first day on the job. It makes me sick.
It’s hard to keep my personal feelings out of it. Hopefully, Evie doesn’t know how hard I’m struggling to keep my cool. Iwant to fire the guy on the spot, but that will land me in more trouble than he’s worth.
I've mostly calmed down by the time she’s finished eating her sandwich. I have only one mission—introduce Evie to someone who isn’t a dick. If she quits because of Rod, I’ll ensure he never hears the end of it.
“This way.” I guide her through the office and knock on a glass door.
Inside sits my COO. This company wouldn’t be able to run without Christine. She’s a genius, but that means she’s a bit of a mess, with papers scattered everywhere and her auburn hair half falling out of its updo. Chopsticks rest delicately between her fingers, and she twirls them in her bowl before scooping the noodles into her mouth.
There’s a reason she’s eating in her office—she’s always hard at work.
Christine lifts a hand in welcome.
I open the door for Evie, who smiles sheepishly as she steps inside. She hasn’t said much since lunch.
