“It started as little things. Hanging out at my desk and telling inappropriate jokes. Nothing I thought much about, honestly. Then it moved to stealing my clients and taking credit for some of my more lucrative jobs. I started taking notes and documenting when things were happening.
“The sexual harassment started not long after that. He treated me more like a nineteen-fifties housewife than an employee, and it got really rough. He would make me get his coffee daily, then spit it on the floorwhen it wasn’t right. Mind you, I was not an assistant—I was an actual financial advisor. His little, petty shit started taking up a ton of my time, and I started losing clients.
“I finally felt like I had enough to bring to the owners after he got a little too friendly in my office one time.”
“Shit,” I mutter.
“Yep. I won’t go into the details, but I took my evidence to the owners and, low and behold, Dickface was already in their office. He claimed I was the one sexually harassing him and that I was using my sexual prowess—he actually said that. Can you believe it?” She shakes her head, but continues, “I was using my sexual prowess to tempt him and take his job. When I presented my actual evidence to the owners, they didn’t even look at it. It was like a slap in the face. I knew I was in a male-dominated field, but I didn’t expect to be taken advantage of like that.”
“Jesus, I had no idea.” It feels wholly inadequate, but I don’t have an intelligent response right now. All I’m thinking about is that Ainsley was sexually harassed and no one believed her. How fucking messed up is that? I can’t even imagine if that was Willow or Rina. I think I would burn the whole world down if I found out that happened to them. Hell, I want to burn the whole world down for Ainsley.
“You hear about it, you know? The discrimination in the workplace. But I had never directly dealt with it. I’ll admit, I didn’t respond great, and that probably contributed to me being fired.”
“Absolutely not. There is no excuse, no reason for this situation to be okay. I don’t care how you acted, the fact that they just blew you off is unacceptable.” I can feel my face getting redder by the second, and I know I need to calm down.
“I appreciate that, but I didn’t tell you so that you could go and play hero. I told you so you understand where my mind is with this job, andwith us, honestly.”
Everything clicks into place. This is why she’s so leery of dating within the workplace. This is why she goes above and beyond at work but keeps her distance. Now, I feel like an asshole for ever pushing her for anything.
“Nope, get that look off your face right now, Ledger Hutton.” Her stern tone makes my eyes lift up to hers.
“You did not know. Honestly, you couldn’t have known. And I’m a big girl. If I really didn’t want to continue things with you, I would have said so. You have not pushed me into anything.”
Apparently, I’m wearing all my emotions on my face tonight.
“I don’t want you to ever feel like that again, especially with me,” I murmur.
“I know. Trust me, I know. If I felt like that again, you can bet I would run far, far away.” She huffs out a laugh.
“All that to say, this job wasn’t what I was expecting. I expected being your assistant would be boring as hell and I would be constantly looking for a new job, and it’s been the exact opposite. I’m not sure if this is where I see myself in five years, but I’m not hating it either. I’ve learned a lot about myself over the last few months, and I feel like I’m starting to figure out who I really am if that makes sense.”
“It makes perfect sense.” I won’t tell her that she’s made me start to figure out who I am, who I want to be for her. I won’t tell her that before her, my only focus was being a makeshift father figure and running my business. Eventually, I’ll tell her how much of an impact she’s had in my life in such a short amount of time, but that time is not now.
Now, it’s time to make sure she knows exactly how thankful I am to have her in my life and eat some amazing fucking steak.
Chapter 24
Ainsley
This trip has been nothing like I thought it would be. The presentation was incredible. The fun times in between all the work with Ledger were mind-blowing, and spilling some of my past at dinner was extremely cathartic, even if that wasn’t my intention.
And dinner … might be one of the best highlights of my life. Never did I think I would get the opportunity to eat at the restaurant of one of my favorite chefs, and it did not disappoint. I think I gained ten pounds during that meal, and I’m not remotely sad about it.
Now, we’re on the plane home and I’m more than a little sad. This trip was everything I didn’t know I needed.Ledgeris everything I didn’t know I wanted. And that’s a scary thing to realize.
My head is stuck on the logistics of how we can make this work in the real world. The fact that we live in a small town makes me leery to be out in the open with our relationship. I don’t want everyone in our business while I’m just trying to figure out how to be in a functional relationship. And although I’m leaning towards staying here for the foreseeable future, I’m not certain that staying in Bluebell Falls is the endgame for me.
“So, I think it would be smart to set some ground rules before we land.” Ledger’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.
Even though I was thinking the same thing, his words send a jolt of unease through my body.
Is he already over this? Am I not worth the trouble?
“What I mean is, I don’t think you would feel comfortable with this,” —he gestures between the two of us— “being broadcasted in town.”
My shoulders slump in relief, and it makes me realize how into Ledger I really am.
“You read my mind,” I say, decidedly not focusing on the fact that I might be in too deep with this man already.
