His smirk deepens. “Pretty sure that goes both ways.”
Rolling my eyes, I focus back on my tablet with a smile on my face.
Logan
Any friendliness I ever had toward Arnon evaporated the second I found out he’d made Jess uncomfortable. Now just looking at his face irritates me.
Jess told me not to punch him. Apparently assault is “frowned upon,” even in our great state. I still think it might be worth it.
Hindsight’s a bitch though. When I call him into my office and he walks in, spotting Jess seated beside me at her old chair, his expression shifts. It’s subtle. But it’s there. A flicker of disdain. A sneer he doesn’t quite manage to hide.
Motherfucker.
How did I miss this?
I don’t ask him to sit.
Instead, I slide the envelope across the desk. Jess and I had Macki prepare it earlier. Another thing my wife was right about, Macki is sharp when she’s not busy avoiding eye contact.
Arnon looks down at the envelope, then back at me. “What’s this?”
“We’ve reviewed your conduct,” I say evenly. “And we’ve decided to terminate your employment effective immediately.”
His posture stiffens. “Excuse me?”
Jess’s voice is calm when she speaks. “Your behavior toward female employees has been inappropriate and unprofessional. That doesn’t align with this company’s standards.”
His eyes flick to her, irritation flashing.
“Is that what this is?” he asks, almost laughing. “Because of some misunderstanding?”
“It’s not a misunderstanding,” I cut in, my tone flat. “It’s a pattern.”
He’s panicking now, with sweat beading at his brows. “Who complained?”
“That,” I say evenly, “is not the issue here.”
I lean forward slightly, folding my palms on the desk. “We reserve the right to terminate your employment as we see fit. And we have.”
Before he can respond, Jess calmly presses the intercom button.
The office door opens almost immediately. Peter steps inside, posture straight, eyes flicking between the three of us.
Jess doesn’t raise her voice. She doesn’t need to.
“Peter,” she says evenly, without breaking eye contact with Arnon, “will escort you out. Ms. Quigley will be in touch to arrange a time for you to collect your personal belongings.”
If his offenses were smaller, I might almost feel bad for him. Especially at the reminder that Macki will be the one calling him. He doesn’t know she’s about to step into the operations role, but judging by the flare of his nostrils, he understands enough. The message lands.
Arnon’s eyes snap to mine, desperation creeping in. “Logan, if you and I could just talk-”
“No,” I say, cutting him off without hesitation.
He swallows. “You’re going to fire me over… what? Office politics?”
“We’re firing you,” I reply calmly, “because we don’t tolerate disrespect inourcompany.”
His gaze flickers to Jess again, resentment flashing.
