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The question allows just enough wiggle room to avoid or acknowledge our personal relationship, depending on my answer.
I think of Ethan watching from my apartment, of our agreement about transparency if directly asked.
“Mr. Cole and I approached working together with different professional perspectives but shared goals,” I respond. “Through the process, we found more common ground than either of us expected.”
“Common ground?” the interviewer probes, sensing a story.
“I continue to evaluate Cole Tech’s environmental impact, and he continues to balance corporate interests with sustainability. The difference now is that we do it by talking, rather than throwing drinks at one another.”
It’s not a full disclosure of our relationship status, but it’s truthful enough. The interviewer wants to push it further but respects my boundaries, returning to specific findings for the rest of the segment.
When I return to my apartment, Ethan greets me with a slow applause. “Well don, you did not let him bait you at all.”
“Not too revealing?” I ask, kicking off my heels with relief.
“Perfect,” he assures me, pulling me into a gentle embrace. “I’m impressed.”
My phone buzzes with an incoming text. It’s from Richard:
Bloomberg still wants the joint interview. They’ve seen the CNBC segment and are even more interested in the “professional antagonists finding common ground” angle. Tomorrow at 3PM?
I show Ethan the message, searching his face for his reaction. “What do you think? After my ‘personal connection’ comment, this interview will confirm we’re together.”
“I think,” he says, “that I’m ready if you are.”
“It will complicate things,” I warn, though I’m already leaning toward acceptance. “I don’t want it ruin this, us. What we have.”
“It won’t,” he says.
“Let’s do the interview,” I decide.
The smile that transforms his face tells me this was the right choice. “Complete honesty,” he agrees. “Though perhaps omitting certain specific details about waste management system inspections that led to shower activities.”
“Obviously,” I laugh. “Some research is private.”
“Speaking of private...” He pulls me closer, hands settling at my waist.
Later,as evening falls and we’re lying together on my couch with takeout containers scattered across the coffee table, my phone buzzes with another text from Zoe:
Just saw your CNBC interview. “Personal connection” eh? Might as well have worn a sign saying, “I’m sleeping with the CEO.” Call me tomorrow with details on how you’re handling the Bloomberg interview. PS: You looked fantastic in that blazer.
I show Ethan the message, laughing at her directness. “My subtle comment wasn’t as subtle as I thought.”
“To be fair, Zoe already knows the truth,” he points out. “She’s primed to read between the lines.”
“True.” I set the phone aside, settling back against his chest. “Are you ready for tomorrow? Once we do this interview, there’s no going back.”
“I’m more than ready,” he says, his arms tightening around me.
“What are you thinking about?” Ethan asks, noticing my contemplative silence.
“How completely unpredictable life can be,” I reply. “And how sometimes, the most valuable discoveries come from experiments gone completely wrong.”
“Like an environmental assessment that leads to how shower sex on a cruise ship?”
“Exactly like that,” I agree, settling more comfortably against him.
Chapter Fourteen