Page 108 of Making It Burn

“It is exactly what you did.”I was shaking now, but my voice remained steady.“And you know what the really pathetic part is?Even if you somehow managed to discredit Beau, it wouldn’t change the fact that you’re mediocre at best.You’ll never be partner material, Paul.Not because of favoritism or office politics, but because you’re not good enough.You don’t work hard enough.And you don’t have the integrity this firm demands.”

Paul’s mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

“So here’s what’s going to happen,” I said, my voice dropping back to that deadly calm.“You’re going to apologize to Beau.Right now.In front of everyone.And then you’re going to seriously reconsider whether you belong at this firm, because this kind of behavior?It’s beneath us.”

Paul looked around the room—at Carter, at Patsy, at the sea of faces watching him with varying expressions of shock and disgust.His face was the color of a tomato.

“I...”He swallowed hard.“I apologize.That was inappropriate.”

“Not to me,” I said coldly.“To Beau.”

Paul’s jaw clenched, but he turned to face Beau.“I apologize.That was out of line.”

Beau stood there, his expression carefully neutral, and said nothing.Just gave the smallest nod.

I turned back to face the room, my heart still racing.

“For anyone else who has questions or concerns about my relationship with Beau,” I said, addressing everyone now, “I’m happy to discuss them.We have nothing to hide.We’re in love.And if anyone has a problem with that, they can take it up with me directly.”

I felt Beau move closer, his hand finding mine and gripping it tight.

Carter cleared his throat.“Well.That was...unexpected.”He exchanged a glance with Patsy.“Mason, Beau—my office.Ten minutes.Everyone else—” He held up the envelopes again.“Get your bonuses and get out of here.Merry Christmas.”

The room erupted in movement and noise, people grabbing their envelopes and filing out quickly.I caught several sympathetic looks directed at Beau, and a few people gave me approving nods.Lisa practically ran over to us.

“That was the most badass thing I’ve ever seen,” she whispered, squeezing Beau’s arm.“Are you okay?”

“I...yeah.”Beau’s voice was shaky.“I think so.”

Paul left without looking at us, his face still red, and I watched him go with grim satisfaction.

When the room had mostly cleared, Beau turned to me.“Mason.What did you just do?”

“Stood up for you.For us.”

“You just came out to the entire firm.”

“I know.”

“And you eviscerated Paul Cramer in front of everyone.”

“He deserved it.”I touched Beau’s face gently.“Are you okay?I’m sorry if I—”

“Don’t apologize.”Beau’s eyes were bright.“That was...you just...Mason, you—”

“I told you I’d prove it.”I kissed him quickly, not caring that we were still in the conference room, that people could see through the glass walls.“Actions, not just words.”

“That was definitely action.”Beau laughed, the sound slightly hysterical.“Holy shit.Did that really just happen?”

“It did.And now we have to go talk to Carter and Patsy.”

“Are we in trouble?”

“I don’t know.But whatever happens, we handle it together.”I took his hand again.“Come on.”

* * *

Carter’s office felt smaller than usual with all four of us in it.Patsy sat in one of the guest chairs, her expression unreadable.Carter stood behind his desk, arms crossed, looking at us with an intensity that made my stomach clench.