“What’s the problem, Colton?”
My boss falls quiet for a moment, clearing his throat before he simply says, “Lydia.”
“W-what about her?” I ask.
Colton’s heavy sigh echoes down the line. “I know what happened last year is very much old news. However, I couldn’t risk you guys finding out from social media or anyone other than me. Lydia is DevastatedDinoand the person who stole your private messages and posted them online.”
In hindsight, perhaps Lydia was the obvious choice for who tried to ruin my career and humiliate Will and our families. But each time my brain speculated over the perpetrator being my asshole colleague, I pushed it to the back of my mind. After all, I had no proof, and I had a second chance with First Line. I wanted to move on with my life positively, not dig up the painful past.
“Are you sure?” I ask in a small voice, struggling to believe she would be so stupid to risk her own career.
All she cares about is getting to the top as quickly as possible.
Will, on the other hand, doesn’t look at all surprised.
“I’m sure,” Colton responds in a steady voice.
“How did you discover her?” Will asks, pulling me into his body like he knows it’s exactly what I need.
While we’ve come so far in the past nine months, the impact from such an invasion of privacy will live with me for a long time to come. I think that’s why I love this house so much—it’s hidden away from the world. Will was right when he said it was made for us.
Taking the phone from my hand, Will sets it beside us on the white countertop.
“By chance,” Colton clarifies. “Earlier today, she left her company cell face up on the desk and went to the bathroom. I needed to grab one of Will’s files since she was working on it as part of the turnover to me, and that’s when an Instagram notification popped up. It was a direct message from an anonymous user, asking if DevastatedDino hadno shamein what they’d done.”
“Oh my God.” I bring a shaky palm to my mouth and feel the vibrations of a growl emanating from Will’s chest.
“When I confronted her about it, she burst into tears, explaining that she bitterly regretted what she’d done and then begged for her job. Lydia claimed that she’d acted out of spite, driven by jealousy. She couldn’t see that your achievements, Drew, were because of your talent and hard work rather than preferential treatment from me.” Colton’s voice sounds disappointed. “I treat all of my staff based on merit, and her actions almost cost me my business and caused a lot of unnecessary distress. If one of my employees has concerns overa colleague, then I expect them to come to me directly. Not put them on blast to the world.”
“What did you do?” I ask Colton.
“I fired her, effective immediately, and escorted her off the premises. I’m currently trawling through her laptop, praying I don’t find any more misconduct while simultaneously berating myself for not keeping a closer eye on her activity using First Line devices.”
My heart plummets for Colton.
“Total transparency.” Will soothes me, running a hand down my back, and I look up into his eyes as he starts speaking. “I’ve had my suspicions about Lydia for a long time, and that’s why I insisted you take over representing me after I was temporarily assigned to her. If I didn’t have the respect I do for you, Colton, I’d have explored my options with a private investigator in an attempt to flush her out. My first priority is protecting my girl, and with that in mind, I’m relieved to hear that Lydia is no longer with the company. One more false move from that woman, and her jealousy toward Drew will be the least of her concerns. I’ll become her number one problem.”
Will drops his lips to mine, setting a soft kiss against them. One hand creeps beneath my dress again.
I don’t stop him this time.
“I appreciate the respect you have shown my business, Will. Both of you have acted with nothing but integrity from the moment the news broke, and … Christ, this might sound a bit condescending, but I’m proud of you.”
Will kisses me again, and I part my thighs wider.
“Such a fucking professional, you dirty girl,” Will purrs into my mouth, voice barely a whisper.
“Colton,” Will says just as his fingertips trace over my damp thong, “I’m going to take your best employee back to the garden party now if we’re finished up here?”
“Yes. Absolutely!” Colton announces down the phone. “I’ll see you in the morning, Drew.”
The call disconnects, but neither of us says a word, the faint noise of laughter drifting through the patio doors.
“Do you think they can see us from down there?” I question, tipping my head toward the lake.
Will drops his mouth to the crook of my neck, sucking until it stings. I clamp my legs around his ass and pull him closer.
“Do you care anymore, Drew? Because I fucking love showing you off to the world.”
