I rub my shoulder absentmindedly, trying to chase away the frigid chill. “Oh.” Where is Theo? “I hope everything is all right. I didn’t do anything to offend you, did I?”
“No. Nothing like that.” She pours herself a mug of coffee and gestures to the little dining table we’ve hardly used. “Let’s sit down. You have time, right?”
“I do.”
I should have lied. Sitting with Christine at the empty table is stiff and awkward, in a way that talking to her usually isn’t. We may not be the closest, but we’re both decent at small talk—usually. This is a clear exception.
All I can think of is what she might say. My mind explodes with thoughts, my pounding heart making a racket in my ear. I shift in my seat, and she sips her coffee before speaking.
“Before we start… I don’t want to alarm you,” she says. “I’m on your side. Please know that.”
Where could she possibly be going with this?
I tilt my head. “O-okay…”
She doesn’t have to clarify. I already have an idea by the time she opens her mouth again. My productivity is as high as ever. There’snoreason for her to lecture me about that, but…
There’s one thing I may have done to upset her. I eye the front door. Is it too late to bolt?
“I know about your relationship with Theo.” She fixes me with a serious look and sets the white mug down. “I’m concerned about you.”
Just as I feared.
“Concerned?” I force a lighthearted chuckle. “What is there to be worried about?”
“Evie. This is serious.” She squints. “I want to make sure he’s not coercing you into anything?—”
Right. I should have considered that. There’s a reason Theo pushed me away in the first place. Internally, I wince.
“No!” I shake my head adamantly. “It’s never been like that. I promise. I would report it if it were, but it’s… different.”
“Right.” Her jaw ticks. “You can report it to HR or me if you need to. I know it’s scary with him being the CEO, but we care about our employee safety.”
“I know that. I’ve always felt safe at work. Well, aside from Rod, but I’m sure you already know about that.”
“I do.” Her severe expression doesn’t waver. “I want to make sure this isn’t another situation like the one with Rod.”
“It couldn’t be more different.” I frown deeply. “I’m safe. Theo is a good man. You know that.”
“I thought I did.” She looks behind me, off to a window, into a cool, blue morning. “I don’t understand why he’s doing this—to himself or you. He’s ruining his career, and… well, perhaps I shouldn’t talk to you about that part. I’m sorry.”
“What?” I shake my head. “No. No, he’s not.”
“Oh, he is. If word gets out, there will be claims of favoritism—at the very least. He was already struggling to find an assistant, and I don’t thinkthiswill help with that.”
My brows furrow. “I’m ruining his career?”
“No!” Christine’s eyes grow wide. The calm facade drops as she looks at me with genuine concern, animated, closer to the version of her I’m used to. “That’s not what I’m saying. It’s his choice, his responsibility.”
Intentional Paper has always had a squeaky-clean reputation. Why shouldn’t they? They’re a good business, andTheo is a good boss. Christine can say whatever she wants, but I know the truth. I’m the one who will ruin his reputation.
“It’s my choice, too,” I say. “No matter what you think, I made this choice. I chose him. I?—”
I cut myself off, but Christine looks at me knowingly. Have I already said too much?
“It’s that serious, then?” She lifts her mug to her lips.
“For me, it is.” My shoulders slump. “I never wanted it to be. Theo isalmostperfect for me, but there are a few glaring imperfections…”
