“Good thing it’s electric or you’d be going against your own morals about saving the planet.” She chuckled. “Listen, girl. I really have to get off the phone. My lunch hour is up and I have a few reports to send out.”
“Sure,” I told her. Rachel’s job as a stats analyst for the Chicago Cubs was a dream job for some people, but I was more the sort of person who liked to play the sport, not watch it. She got paid to watch recordings of the team’s games and track their stats. “Don’t forget we’re supposed to go shopping Saturday. I’ll drive.”
“Of course, you and your fancy hybrid… Okay, I’ll chat later.”
“Byeeeee.” I offered our normal goodbye, drawing out the E a second. The moment I laid my cell phone down, Maria popped her head into the cubicle. She looked around as if checking to make sure we weren’t being watched and stepped in, leaning on the edge of my desk. “What can I do for you?”
I had no intention of doing anything for her at all. She wasn’t exactly my favorite person to work with, though I didn’t completely detest her. She had this way of needling around my personal space until I was frustrated and wanted to hide.
“I heard you’re seeing Danvers.” She glanced in the direction of his office. I watched her line of sight, seeing him seated behind his desk on the phone. He looked dapper as usual, dark, wavy hair combed to the side. It brought a soft smile to my lips which I instantly covered and faked a yawn.
“Not sure where you heard that.” I turned back to my computer screen where my email client was open in front of me. I had at least a dozen emails from my source, all filtered through a phony email so no one could track him. I took the business of protecting my sources very seriously. I knew reporters like me who had been attacked or threatened for not giving up sources.
“It’s just a rumor going around the office. That’s all. I heard you had dinner with him a few weeks ago.” She pushed my cup of pens around and eyed me suspiciously.
“Well, first of all, my personal life is none of your business. And second of all, I was involved in a car accident with him because his driver pulled out into traffic right into the side of my car. We were exchanging?—”
“Oh, the lies continue.” Jack Williams appeared behind me, as if manifesting through some magic or time travel. I clenched my jaw. The man had made enough trouble already, and he was threatening Parker for no good reason. It infuriated me. I foundit difficult to control my temper and thought I was turning into Parker’s dark side.
“Please leave my cubicle, Jack.”
“Why? So you can feed Maria’s head full of lies? We all know you’re screwing the boss, Spencer. Stop denying it.” Jack’s nasty tone had me gritting my teeth so hard I thought I’d break a tooth.
“Why don’t you stop spreading rumors? You have no idea what you’re talking about, and even if you did, it’s completely unprofessional to speak about coworkers’ private lives.” I spun my chair around and stood, ready to leave my own cubicle just to go find peace somewhere, but Jack stood in my way.
“And why are you getting all the best stories, then? You screw the boss, he gives you what you want. The best stories, the best office, a fancy new promotion. You probably got a pay rise too, didn’t you? And that car? That had to be fifty grand.” He wasn’t backing down, and I was furious. I let him have it with both barrels. Maria stood in shock, covering her mouth with her hand.
“You know what you can do, Williams? You can fuck off! I didn’t get up in your space when you were screwing Gretchen in the break room and tell everyone your nasty business. So just buzz off and leave me alone before?—”
“Enough!” The booming voice of Mr. Wright broke up our spat, and Maria scurried away before he approached us. Jack and I stood toe to toe, nostrils flared, eyes wide.
I wasn’t backing down anymore. I didn’t have to take his rude insults and gossip.
“Williams, to your desk. Spencer, my office, now!” Mr. Wright pointed in the general direction of his office, and I locked my computer before complying. Jack stormed off, and David followed me to his office where he shut us in and started his lecture. “That was entirely unprofessional, Haley. What on earthis going on? There are so many rumors. You understand that if Danvers is failing at his duty to protect this paper, the board can have him voted out.”
“But he owns the place.”
“And he will continue to have controlling interest, but they can appoint a new CEO. Just like that. So come clean. If something’s going on between you and Parker, you need to fess up now and protect him and this company.” David sat behind his desk glaring at me, and I stole the chair across from him. My gut churned loud enough for me to hear it.
“Nothing improper has happened at work between me and Mr. Danvers.” I chose my words very carefully, uncertain how telling a lie would affect me in the future. I didn’t want any blow back, but I also didn’t want to harm Parker’s career.
“Stop being political, Haley. Are you or are you not seeing Mr. Danvers romantically?” David’s stern expression terrified me. I knew he didn’t have the power to do anything except report Parker to the board, but I worried that in his current state of mind, he’d do just that. I didn’t even know how it all worked, anyway. What I did know in that instant was something I had been feeling for weeks now. I loved Parker, and I had to protect him.
“I am not seeing Parker Danvers romantically.” The lie tasted like bile, or maybe that was my stomach wanting to throw up.
“Good, now that it’s settled, I have another question for you. I got a call from Kris Pressner at theGlobal Gazettethis morning. She said they are calling you in for an interview and they want to know what sort of work ethic you have. Did you apply to work with Richard Lee? You know Parker will shit his britches if he finds out you want to jump ship. Especially after that bonus.” He cleared his throat, and I knew what he meant.
My heart sank and took flight in the exact same moment. “You got what?” I licked my lips which were suddenly dry. Dr.James hadn’t told me they would callThe Vinefor a reference. I thought I’d pass out. I felt the blood shoot up my neck to my face and felt dizzy for a second.
“Look, it’s none of my business, and I understand the move. I wish they’d have been calling me to ask me to work there. It’s a great move. I’d just think how the optics would look when you just got that fancy new ride.” David’s face softened, and he smiled. “I gave you a raving review, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I shook my head, feeling numb. “Does Parker know yet?”
“Haven’t seen him yet today. Why?”
“Please don’t tell him or anyone else yet. Okay? I didn’t apply to the position. My mentor put my name in. I don’t know whether I want it or not. I’m wrestling with things right now.” It was about the most honest thing I’d said to him since I walked into his office. “Please, just keep it between you and me?”
“Of course, Haley. But you know if they are really interested, you’re going to have to tell him. And he won’t like it. He gave Tom and me strict orders to make you happy so you’ll stay.”
