“Consider it done, Mr. Clayton.”
“Thank you, Margaret. I’ll call back later for an update.”
“Of course. Have a great day.”
I hung up and stared at the screen on my desk, completely blank. Nothing in my life had ever made me feel more helpless than this. Carmen was angry—rightfully so—but all I wanted was the chance to explain.
The truth wasn’t easy. It never is. But I hadn’t cheated. I never would cheat on Carmen. I hadn’t lied to be malicious; I was trying to protect her feelings. It never crossed my mind that she would find out about that night after everything I did to keep it covered up.
It made me wonder how she found out, but that wasn’t my primary concern. Not when she was hurting like this.
We were doing so well. We had finally gotten on the same page and were building our relationship back to where it needed to be.
And this just had to happen.
Carter came in just before noon, dropping off the morning briefs and a folder of updates from the investment ball last night. I kept my office dark as I worked to keep my mind focused on my tasks. He paused halfway to the door, like he was trying to find the right tone.
“Hey, Tee? You… okay? With everything?”
“If by ‘everything’ you mean my very public argument on the ballroom stairs, then no, Carter. I am not okay.”
He nodded, like he respected the honesty. “Well… if it makes you feel any better, most of the investors had already left by the time things escalated. It was mostly just the staff that heard.”
I closed my eyes to calm myself before I opened them again.
“Yeah. That helps. Thanks.”
He hesitated, and I could see something sitting heavy behind his eyes. Whatever it was, he didn’t want to say it.
“Carter, as you can imagine, my mood is not the best at the moment, so if you have something to say, just say it,” I commanded.
“Look. I don’t want to get involved in your and Vincent’s… childish andextremelyunprofessional feud, but—”
“But?”
He sighed. “He crossed a line. I thought you should know.”
I leaned back in my chair, jaw tightening. “What did he do?”
“He told her. And he told her to hurt you.”
I sat in silence, fists clenched on the armrest.
“To hurt me?”
Carter nodded, and my eyebrows drew together.
“Why the fuck is he—”
“Look, I don’t know what his issue with you is,” he cut me off. “But he’s been bitching and moaning about how you handle things around the office ever since Carmen got here.”
That honestly surprised me. I knew we didn’t see eye to eye when it came to Carmen, but now he’s making issues at work?
“And you’re only now telling me?”
Carter shrugged, “I thought he was just being salty about all the new projects we were taking on because he is the one who manages all the new clients, but now it’s become abundantly clear, he just doesn’t like you.”
“Hm,” the feeling was fucking mutual. “Send him in.”
