“And she’s not disappointed in us.Not anymore.She basically gave me her blessing—as long as I don’t screw this up.”
Katie laughed softly, the sound easing some of the tightness in my chest.“That’s good.I was worried.”
“Don’t be,” I said, leaning closer.“She knows how much I—” I caught myself and cleared my throat.“She knows how much I’m into you.”
Color bloomed on her cheeks, making me smile.She leaned across the desk and kissed me.The shyness of her kiss made me grin.
I didn’t have anything to worry about.Katie likedme.
But then shouting erupted down the hall.
I spoke too soon?
Katie pulled back and frowned.“What’s going on?”
We stepped out together, following the noise to the main hallway.A cluster of employees stood around as Justin waved a file in the air, his voice sharp.
“This is unacceptable!Who signed off on this design?Katie did, didn’t she?Always rushing, always distracted?—”
Katie froze beside me.
“Watch your mouth,” I said, keeping my voice low, my hand wrapping around hers.
Justin sneered as he looked at me.“This isn’t your business.”
“The hell it isn’t.You screw up your own fucking work and try to pin it on her?”I glared at him, glad I had a few inches over him that made his neck crane.“That’s not happening.”
Gasps and whispers surrounded us.
Katie tugged at my arm.“Dylan, stop?—”
But I couldn’t.I was glad to see Justin’s eyes wide when he took a step back from me.I stepped closer, my voice was on edge.“If you ever try to drag her down again, I’ll cut your?—”
“Dylan!” Katie’s sharp tone cut through my anger.Her fingers dug into my arm.“Please.Stop.”
I looked at her.Reallylooked.She wasn’t angry at him and she was looking at me as if I were a stranger.
That realization made my stomach drop.
She turned to the crowd, straightening her spine, and said in a professional tone.“Everyone, return to your stations.I’ll handle this.”
The authority in her voice made people scatter, leaving us and Justin.
“Dylan.”Katie’s voice was barely a whisper when she said, “Go.”
I stared at her.“Katie?—”
“Please leave,” she said with a cold look in her eyes.“Let me deal with this.On my own.”
It felt like betrayal, like she was choosing him over me, but I knew it wasn’t that simple.She wanted control.She needed it, and here I was, blowing up in her workplace like some obsessed fool.
My throat worked, but no words came.Finally, I turned on my heel and left, my fists clenched so tight that my knuckles turned pale.
Back in my car, the silence felt deafening.
I gripped the wheel, staring at the dashboard without seeing it.Rage pulsed in my veins.It’s all that prick’s fault!
Maybe she would never see me as more than a mistake.And she would leave me in the dust, just as I had hoped for the worst.
