“Oh. That group chat.”
“Mm hmm. Anyway, dress fitting at eleven AM next Saturday, to check the initial measurements.”
I watched Mia’s shoulders tense. “Let her know I’ll be there. I should go.” She gathered her papers with quick, efficient movements. “Lots to catch up on.”
As she moved toward the door, she passed close enough that I caught a hint of the perfume I’d bought her in Paris. I kept my voice professional as I said, “Mia, could you send me the documentation we discussed, when you get a chance? And we should schedule time to discuss the Colorado logistics.”
She paused, keeping a professional distance. “Of course. I’ll email you the files and check my calendar for a good time to meet.”
Rebecca glanced between us, her expression neutral but calculating. “What’s happening in Colorado?”
“Industry symposium,” I lied smoothly. “Mia’s presenting our customer archetype system to the national sales leadership forum.” If you’re going to lie, you may as well go big.
“Why wasn’t I informed of this?”
“No idea and not my concern.”
Rebecca turned a little pale at my tone. “Oh, um, of course. My apologies.”
Meanwhile, Mia’s poker face was impeccable. “I should get those materials together. I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me.”
She left the conference room, Emily trailing behind her with a cheeky wink at me behind Rebecca’s back.
Rebecca lingered, organizing her notes with deliberate slowness. “The sales leadership forum sounds quite prestigious. Interesting choice to send Ms. Harris rather than Porter, given his seniority.”
“Mia developed the system,” I said evenly. “She’s the logical person to present it.”
Rebecca hummed noncommittally. “Of course. Just interesting timing, right after her... extended weekend in Europe for what was it again?”
I kept my expression neutral. “I believe she took personal time. I don’t track my employees’ private lives, Rebecca.”
“Well, that’s probably for the best,” she replied with a thin smile. “Ms. Harris has been performing exceptionally well lately. It would be a shame if anything were to... interfere with her rising star. Some might question whether her recent opportunities are entirely merit-based.”
The implication was crystal clear. My jaw tightened imperceptibly, but I maintained my corporate mask. “Since HR is your purview, I’ll leave you to deal with any issues that arise.” My tone was glacial, though inside I was imagining the satisfaction of watching her office belongings being packed into a cardboard box.
“Just looking out for the company’s best interests.” She gathered her things with a satisfied expression. “Have a productive day, Mr. Sullivan.”
When she was gone, I slumped back in my chair, running a hand through my hair. Between my family’s sudden interest in my fictional engagement, Rebecca’s thinly veiled suspicions, and the increasing difficulty of maintaining professional distance with Mia during business hours, everything was spiraling toward a complexity I hadn’t anticipated.
I just hoped we were good enough actors to fool them all.
MIA
“So let me get this straight.” Maya leaned across the sticky table at Lacey’s Bar & Grill, her green eyes gleaming in the dim bar lighting. “You had sex against a window. In Paris. With the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop.”
I felt my cheeks flush hot as I took another gulp of wine. “I never said that.”
“You heavily implied it,” Poppy countered, her pink hair catching the neon bar sign’s glow as she pushed the nachos toward me. “Eat something before you fall over.”
“I’m not drunk,” I protested, even as I stuffed a cheese-laden chip into my mouth. “I’m just... relaxed.”
“Relaxed enough to finally tell us the Paris details,” Emily sing songed, twirling her wine glass between her fingers. “After holding out on me all week.”
“I didn’t hold out. I told you it was amazing.”
“Amazing is what people say about a good sandwich,” Sammy said, reaching for her margarita. “You went to Paris with the hottest man in three counties and came back with a fake engagement ring that probably cost more than my car. We want details, Harris.”
The sapphire on my finger caught the light as I reached for another nacho. I hadn’t meant to wear it tonight, but after work I’d transferred it from the chain around my neck to my finger without thinking. A habit I wasn’t ready to examine too closely.
