Nemesis(39)

She sighs and stabs her fork into her eggs. “I just need a few days to wallow. I’ll be fine. I always am. We better hurry up or we’re both going to be late to work.”

I nod, putting some egg and bacon on my toast, and start making quick work of it. I hug Sadie tightly before we both leave, then on the way to work call up a florist to send her some flowers. Her favourites are peonies, and I hope they cheer her up a little.

When I arrive at the office, everyone is already here, and the phone is already ringing. I quickly answer it then check over the schedules for the day.

“You looked so cute when I left this morning,” Cohen says in welcome. “I wanted to take a photo, but then thought that’d be a little creepy.”

“I’m glad you didn’t,” I say with a little grin. The urge to reach out and touch him makes my fingers tingle. “What are we going to do about work?”

“I don’t know,” he says, rubbing his hand down the stubble on his cheek. “Let me think about it, okay? I’ll figure out the best way, but I think that I’m just going to have to tell them. It’s not going to affect our work.” He pauses. “Any more than it already does, anyway. I don’t see why it would be such a big deal.”

“I don’t think it’s that simple though,” I tell him, tapping my pen on the table. “But I’ll leave it in your hands.”

“It will be fine,” he assures me. “I have to head out, but I’ll see you at lunch.”

“Okay,” I say, wanting a kiss. My gaze drops to his lips.

“Jacinta—”

“Yeah?” I mumble, completely distracted.

“I’m leaving before I kiss you here in front of everyone, not giving a shit what anyone says,” he growls, turning me on even more.

“Okay,” I whisper.

He curses and storms into the elevator. I see him adjust himself, eyes on me, before the doors close.

I grin.

He shakes his head at me.

All mine.





Chapter Twenty-One


I enter the house that afternoon with wine, chocolate, ice cream and candy. I order Chinese food for us and put on Sadie’s favourite movie, which happens to be She’s The Man. Cohen wanted to stay over tonight, but I told him that I need to be here for Sadie. I don’t want to be in the room with him while she’s sitting out here alone, all sad and miserable over that * Ian. Cohen understood, saying he would stay over tomorrow night instead.

“You didn’t have to do this,” Sadie says as she sees the spread I’ve set up for us. She grabs a chocolate bar and joins me on the couch. “But I do appreciate it.”

I press Play and smile at her. “Distractions are key. Tonight, we’re going to watch movies, eat and just relax. Nothing else exists.”

“Thanks again for the flowers, Jacinta. They’re stunning. Everyone who came into the library stopped and admired them.” She hesitates, then admits, “When I first got them, I thought maybe they were from Ian, but then I read the note. First, I was a little upset that they weren’t from him, but the note made me smile. Fuck Ian. I don’t need him.”

The note said, ‘Who needs a man when you have a friend like me?’

“No, you don’t need him,” I concur, turning up the volume a little. “Fuck him. Fuck everyone who doesn’t see how amazing you are. He’ll probably regret it too, but too bad.”

She rolls her eyes and looks at the TV. “I don’t know about all that, but I’ll agree with the ‘f*ck him’ part.”

“I should pour us some wine,” I say, standing up and heading to the kitchen. I return with two very full glasses of red wine, giving one to Sadie.

I sip mine, but Sadie gulps hers.

I think it’s going to be a long, drunk night.

*****

Two Weeks Later

“Jacinta, can you please come into my office?” Jason asks, setting my nerves on edge. Cohen and I both decided we didn’t want to have to keep hiding our relationship, so we called a meeting with the other three lawyers. That was this morning. Now, Jason is summoning me, and I don’t think it’s a good thing.

Am I about to lose my job?

I smooth my blazer down with my hands, then stand and follow Jason. When I enter his office, all the lawyers in the firm are there, except for Cohen.

Yeah, I’m f*cked.

“Take a seat,” Jason says.

I stiffly sit down, wanting to run and hide, but I force myself to keep my chin up. It’s awkward having all the men here know my private life, even though essentially it has nothing to do with them. I’m not f*cking or making out with Cohen here at work. I’ve kissed him inside his office once, and once only. I’m not unprofessional, and I’m good at my job. I don’t believe that I deserve to lose it.

“Mr. Lake has brought to light the relationship between the two of you,” Jason starts, looking around the table. “We all frown upon office relationships, and we think it’s very unprofessional for the two of you to get so well acquainted whilst meeting here at the firm.”

I open my mouth, but then he continues.

“It’s also a conflict of interest, don’t you think? You know how much I like you, Jacinta. You’re a hard worker and you keep this place running, but I don’t know how we can make this work. None of us are happy with this outcome. I’m a little disappointed in you, Jacinta.”