How to Resist Prince Charming(67)

“Fuck.”

This was not the life he’d chosen. This was not what he wanted. If he’d had his way, he never would’ve come to Farris. He’d still be at ProTech.

He had been happy at ProTech. Content.

And he could have Lenna if he was still there.

Yet, here he sat, having a breakdown on the floor of his father’s office, all because a freak turn of events had taken complete control of his life and lost him the girl of his dreams.





CHAPTER 24




Ben Hendricks plopped into the chair across from Tom’s desk in his den. “So, how long am I going to owe you for what you did for me?” He didn’t sound like his usual jovial self, but subdued and apologetic...which was good, since Tom probably would’ve strangled him if he had tried cracking a joke about their predicament.

It’d been five days since his suspension, and Farris hadn’t called him back yet.

“Oh, you’re going to owe me for the rest of your life, pal.”

Ben’s shoulders slumped as a long sigh eased from his lungs. “Thought so.” He lifted his face. “How long is this suspension thing supposed to last?”

Tom shrugged. “Until Farris cools down, I guess.”

“Well, I can’t thank you enough for what you did for me, Tom. You saved my butt, big time. If there’s anything I can ever do for you in return...”

Tom’s eyes narrowed. “You can tell me why you copied sensitive information off his computer... information that could hurt everyone at Farris like bank account numbers.”

Ben’s bushy eyebrows rose, then lowered into a confused frown. “Say what?”

Tom repeated what Braxton had told him about the things that had been taken from his terminal.

“Hey, that wasn’t me,” Ben insisted, leaping to his feet. “The only thing I took was those pictures of Lenna so I could give them to you. I swear it. I’m no traitor. I would never—”

“Then who took the information?”

“I don’t know. But you’ve got to believe me. Farris Industries is as important to me as it is to you. I would never do anything to hurt the company.”

Closing his eyes, Tom nodded and let out a sigh. “I’m sorry,” he finally said, scrubbing his face with both hands. “I knew you would never do anything like that. I’m just...I’m sorry.”

Ben slumped back into his chair. He sat quietly, staring at his hands in his lap for a moment before he changed the subject. “So, I guess Lenna and... ah...Farris broke up, huh?”

Tom frowned. “Why do you say that?”

Had word finally gotten out at the office about Lenna and Braxton’s affair?

Ben’s eyes lit. “Well, this week,” he started, obviously eager to spread gossip, “Tasha caught Braxton staring at this opened ring box when he was sitting at his deck. When he saw her, he snapped it closed and shoved it into his drawer. So she snuck back in after he left for lunch and found the biggest damn engagement ring she’d ever seen.”

Tom’s knees gave out. He had to sink back into his chair and fist his hand against his mouth. “Good Lord.”

“Farris must’ve left something in his office, because he caught her in there looking at it. But instead of blowing up at her, he asked her to return it to the jewelry store for him.”

Ben paused significantly. “Everyone knows about the ring, Tom. They’re all wondering who this girl is that broke his heart. And Farris...” Ben blew out a breath. “That boy growls around the place like a wounded bear. Anyone with eyes in their head that can see he’s sore over...well...everything. It’s made everyone else all the more eager to find out who his girl was.”

Tom suddenly felt very sick. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead on his desk.

“I didn’t tell them about Lenna though,” Ben assured. “I wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Thanks,” Tom managed to choke out. “I appreciate it.”

Ben fell quiet before he said, “I kind of feel bad for him.”

Tom lifted his face. Ben winced, apologizing with his gaze. Tom’s gut burned, because, damn it, he kind of felt bad for the kid too. But he still boomed, “Why the hell do you feel sorry for him?”

Ben shrugged and couldn’t quite meet Tom’s gaze. “He looks awful, Tom. Even...even besides the whole ring thing...all you have to do is look at him to tell he’s miserable.”

“Oh, give me a break,” Tom muttered, though now he couldn’t meet his friend’s gaze.

“I’m serious,” Ben insisted. “Farris has changed this last week. He’s moody and short with everyone and bound and determined to find the computer culprit. The kid’s out for blood, I’m telling you. No one, no one is brave enough to approach him anymore.”

He sat back in his chair and let out a breath as he swiped a hand over his brow. “I was really sweating bullets there for a while. When I thought it was me he was after. But now that I know someone else was on his computer, I—I feel like I might have a chance to keep my job.”

“What are you talking about,” Tom asked in confusion. “How could he find out? I’m not going to tell—”

“Oh, he’ll find out,” Ben said with certainty. “He’s making charts, for the love of God, noting when everyone was in and out of the office. He’s narrowing the list. No one is above suspicion in his eyes, Tom. No one.”