“How long will that take?”
Harold glanced away, sighing, then looked at me again. “Maybe days. Could be weeks.”
My stomach bottomed out. “Weeks?”
“I can see that’s a problem.”
I took a shaky breath. “He’s practically living with me right now.”
“We still have to go through this process with HR and the bosses. He has somewhere else to live, right?”
“His apartment.”
“Until this is over….”
“You mean the case?” I interrupted. “When’s the trial?”
Harold glanced at his screen. “Not until spring.”
“What?” I couldn’t do this. Not to Sage. Not to myself.
“Yeah. That’s what it says.”
“I can’t—” I twisted my hands together. “I can’t do this.”
“Look, go to HR. Make a report. Maybe it won’t be any big deal. I’m just saying you have to see it through.”
“Or there are consequences, right?”
Harold stayed silent.
“Like losing my job? Or my license to practice?”
“We don’t know that.”
“I’d quit then. Give my notice.”
Harold’s face looked pained. “You can’t quit. You’re my best financial guy.”
“I—it’s serious. There. I said it. I—I am….”
“In love with him?”
I’d only admitted that in silence. Never to another person. My head dropped, chin to chest. “Yeah.”
Harold’s voice softened. “Go to HR. Make a report. I’ll make sure the bosses get it today. I’ll put a rush on it. They’ll decide.”
“But if it is a conflict, I’ll have to quit.”
“Or not see him.”
I stood quickly, thoroughly annoyed. “That’s not an option.”
Harold stood. “Preston, I really don’t want to lose you. I’ll do anything I can. I promise. But right now, I suggest you don’t see him. Not until the report comes back.”
Turning toward the door, I said, “I’ll head down to HR right now.”
The office door closed behind me before I heard his response.
