“What about you? Are you done here?” I ask Grant, hoping that’s the case and also unsure I can survive a single day here without him.Are you done with me?is the other, unspoken part of that question, and it’s the part that hurts the most. But I have my pride. And most of my heart’s still intact. So maybe the question should be the other way around. Am I done with him?
The answer’s yes, I guess. I mean, it has to be, right?
He fired my friend. Yes, based on evidence, but it can’t be the truth. How can I trust him now? Our entire… thing… came out of a lie.
“Can people know why you’re really here?”
“Pretty sure a few already do.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I haven’t been tearing apart your code in search of issues, though, have I?”
I stare up at him, and he stares down at me, and, god, hasn’t he, though?
“I’ve asked him to stick around through the investors’ meeting. We need to give them the facts.”
“The results of the audit.”
“Next week?” I ask, needing an end date for this mess.
“Yes.” Dorothy nods. “Grant’s here until then.” She throws him a smile. “Trying to convince him to come to the retreat with us too. Maybe celebrate that our security’s in top shape, do some creative team brainstorming before we head in to see the investors.”
The retreat. No. No, god. I don’t want to go now. But I have to. I planned it, didn’t I? What I want is to run home and hide my head in my blankets. Disappear, like I did in subspace, but I want this man nowhere near me when I do.
“Sounds great,” I lie, unable to look him in the eye.
I know Grant’s never promised me anything, but I feel so betrayed. It’s odd, I guess, given that I barely know him, and I’ve worked for Dorothy for years, but his betrayal feels so much bigger than hers.
How long have you known?I want to ask him.Did you have any inkling that you planned to fire my best friend when you gave me three orgasms on Friday night?
“So, what are the next steps?”
“I meet with the investors. Explain the breach. Tell them it was Sam all along. Grant will present his findings on security and explain the beefed-up protocols.”
“Will that be enough?”
“It has to be,” Grant intones.
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Grant
IT’S EARLY EVENING BYthe time I look up from my laptop and realize I’ve missed lunch. I’m knee-deep in cleanup. There’s the audit report to put together and Samantha’s computer files to double-check. I’m also bolstering the systems already in place.
Rae’s desk is empty. She spent the afternoon in reception, which is no doubt as much about avoiding me as it is watching the door. It’s amazing how much I’ve been able to get through without having her right there to distract me. It’s also gut-wrenching, which makes no sense.
I should be happy to be getting out of here. Job well done. Case closed.
I stand and stretch, walking around my desk to check on Rae. Looks like she’s out. Maybe she’s gone for the day.
The printer in our office is out of ink, so I head down the hall, noting how quiet everything is for once. Most of the staff are probably at their desks with noise-canceling headphones on. Or gone, actually. They’re all gearing up for this retreat thing. And it’s after 5:00 p.m.
The supply room door is ajar. I open it the rest of the way and jolt when I see Rae inside.
She jumps about a foot in the air and drops a ream of paper.
“You okay?” I bend to pick it up and hand it to her.
