Page 5 of Not On Your Life

Truth be told, I haven’t thought about that night since it happened. Until five minutes ago when Maddie came raging in here like a one-woman army, on the attack.

So, yeah. I deserved Maddie’s anger. I also deserve the brick of guilt settling in my stomach.

I scrape my fingers over my head, pulling at the ends of my hair until my scalp screams.

What have I done?

I drop my hand to my side. I need to apologize. She won’t believe it, but I have to try.

I exit the conference room in time to see the boss striding out of his office, his gaze trained on Maddie. Bri pokes her head out behind him.

Uh oh.

“Mr. Lawrence?” I jump in front of him, blocking his way to Maddie. “I was wondering if I might talk to you for a moment.”

“Not now, Quinn,” he barks, and I fall out of his path like a bowling pin that’s barely been tapped.

“Miss Cardozo.” He comes to a halt beside her desk, and Maddie’s head shoots up.

She takes in the scene, including me and Bri, and her face pales.

Mr. Lawrence folds his arms across his round belly. “Gather your things. You’re fired.”

“W-what?” she sputters, jumping to her feet.

“I saw the footage. You attacked a colleague. Gather your things now or I’ll be forced to call security.”

Maddie blinks rapidly, shifting between me and the boss before aiming a finger at me. “But he started a rumor—”

“Save it.” Mr. Lawrence barks.

I may be only two steps above dirt right now, but I can’t let her take the fall for this. I do havesomeintegrity.

I stride toward the two of them. “She’s right. I—”

My comment dies when the boss throws a hand in the air, an inch in front of my nose. “Unless you want to be the next one fired, shut up. A good lawyer can take criticism without wringing someone’s neck.”

Maddie shrinks, her shoulders curving in as she wraps her arms around her middle.

If I could go back and erase the last ten minutes, I would. I’d grab her and pull her into my chest sooner. Lock us in a closet so she could throttle me like she deserves. Anything but this.

“What if you had lost your cool like that in court? There are more infuriating lawyers than Connor out there.” Mr. Lawrence scrubs a hand down his face. “I’m sorry, Maddison, but you’re a liability, and I have to let you go.”

For a moment, I think Maddie is going to cry. I would if our roles were reversed.

But then she sees me, and her jaw sets.

“I understand.” She nods once then starts packing her things.

Mr. Lawrence leans in closer to her, to say something that the rest of the eavesdropping office can’t hear, and she nods again. This time her chin quivers, and I can see her fighting with everything she’s got to remain collected. For her sake, I hope she does.

Maddie and I have our differences, but I respect her. Though I can’t help but wonder what it would take to make her truly show her feelings—feelings that don’t include wanting to murder me.

I have to admit, for a second there, after I’d removed her arms and pinned her against me, I’d been tempted to kiss her.

Clearly, it had been a lapse in sanity. The woman is getting fired, and it’s my fault.

She finishes gathering her things and carries only a stuffed purse and two plants.