Clutching her notepad and pen, my colleague’s hands vibrate with anger.
“Then why didn’t you inform me about the email he sent you weeks ago? I need to know if my clients are unhappy.”
Colton’s head swivels to me, his attention moving back and forth, like he’s spectating a tennis match. If it were a real game, I’d be love-forty down because Lydia is correct. I should’ve at least notified my boss about Silas’s approach, and I probably would’ve done that if I had been locked into my job and following standard practices instead of breaking them every chance I got with Will.
“Why didn’t you say something, Drew? Mr. Stanton is the last client First Line wants to lose.”
All senses sting as emotions build behind them, and I force myself to swallow hard, determined not to reveal how disappointed I am in myself.
This isn’t who you are.
I don’t operate like this at work. I’m the first one in the office each morning and the last one to leave at night. Drew Callaghan is a walking, talking rulebook with a full schedule and a spreadsheet for everything.
“I guess …” I close my laptop and twist my hands around on the lid. “I guess I didn’t want to upset you, Lydia. To be honest, I’ve always felt like you’ve had this issue with me, and I can’t work out why. Coming to you with the email from Silas felt awkward and like it would only make the animosity between us worse.”
When my eyes meet hers, I hope that I’ll see a shred of understanding in them. All I get is more anger and a frown between her brows.
“I want to make a formal complaint, Colton.”
It feels like my stomach hits the floor.
“A complaint?” I whisper. “Lydia, we can work this out without?—”
“Can you please ask Drew to leave the room so we can have some privacy?” Lydia talks over me, attention centered solely on our boss.
Colton’s eyes flash briefly to me and then back to Lydia. We’ve definitely reached the equivalent of a break point.
He and I both know if I don’t get up and go, this could blow up into an HR nightmare. My kind boss doesn’t deserve that.
Pushing back my chair, I gather my belongings and immediately head for the door, stepping out into the main office area, where at least a dozen heads turn my way.
I need to get out of here, stat.
I’m halfway to the staircase when a call starts vibrating in my hand, and I hit Accept on my cell without checking the contact.
“Hello?” I croak out, diving into an empty break room.
What I wouldn’t give to hear Will’s voice right now even though I know he’s the last person I should be speaking to.
“Drew? It’s Vesper. Are you okay and free to talk?”
By the sound of her broken-up voice, I should be asking her the same thing.
“Sure,” I push out quickly, trying to hide the day I’m having.
“I guess my call is out of the blue, given we haven’t really spoken since we exchanged numbers that day in the bar, but …” She goes quiet and then sobs.
Vesper isn’t the type of girl to cry. Whatever day she’s having must be worse than mine.
“No, no, you’re fine, babe,” I say, setting my laptop down on a table and taking a seat. The view over Seattle from this room is one of my favorites. I love watching the world go by beneath me. “What’s going on?”
I hear a door close before she sighs heavily.
“I didn’t know who to call, but then I remembered you said I could always talk to you. I figured I could trust you not to say anything …” She trails off, and I know she’s seeking reassurance.
I place a palm over my heart, remembering something Marley and I used to swear when we were younger. “Girl secrets are always safe with me.”
Although I can’t see her, I’m sure Vesper is smiling when she says, “Thank you, Drew. I just needed an ear to listen.”
