Page 152 of One Bad Idea

And the way it sounded, the business was expanding.

Still, I said, "But it wasn't your call. And besides, I can handle myself just fine."

"No," he said. "Youthinkyou can handle yourself fine, but that smart mouth of yours gets you into trouble."

I stood. "Hey! I've been the epitome of self-control."

He gave me a dubious look. "Is that so?"

Itwas– except when it came tohim. The whole time I'd been working here, I'd shown a surprising amount of restraint, even as I'd been snubbed and insulted by practically everyone in the building.

There were friendly greetings that went unanswered, conversations that grew quiet when I entered the room, friendships that were destroyed in infancy by whatever Darla was saying behind my back.

And yet, through all of this, I'd maintained my professionalism, no matter how much it bothered me. Lately, it had been bothering me more and more, even though I tried not to show it.

I smiled when I wanted to frown. I greeted coworkers who seldom replied. I'd kept my chin up for months now in spite of the fact that Darla and her minions were obviously trying to drive me out.

But that wasn't the thing eating at me now. It was the one aspect where I'd shown zero self-control –him.

I had to be honest. A lot of this – cripes, maybeallof this – was my own fault.

I heard myself say, "You're right."

His gaze grew wary. In a careful voice, he said, "Alright. What's the catch?"

"Nothing. I just said you're right." I gave a hard scoff. "But trust me, Icando better." I sat back down and edged my chair closer the desk. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got work to do."

He didn't budge. "No, you don't."

I gave him a thin smile. "What are you saying? I'm dismissed for the day?"

His jaw clenched. "This isn't about work."

"Yeah, well, it is from now on."

His voice grew quiet. "What?"

"Our little fling – or whatever it is – it's over." Unable to stop myself, I stood again. By now, I felt like a jack in the box – up and down one too many times, just like my emotions. With a muttered curse, I grabbed my purse and then my phone. "I'm done."

He still made no move to leave my office. Rather, he merely stood there, looking at me like I'd just slapped him silly. "You serious?"

"Dead serious." I lifted my chin. "So if you wanna fire me, now's the time."

He looked at me like I was a crazy person. "What the hell? You think I'd fire you because…" He shook his head, but never finished the thought.

That was fine by me. In my current frame of mind, I was more than happy to finish it for him. "…because we're not gonna 'fuck'? Thatishow you put it, right?"

His voice was barely a whisper. "Allie."

It hurt to hear my name on his lips. I pushed aside the pain and said, "So if you're gonna fire me, you might as well tell me now so I can grab all of my stuff and go."

"You know it's not like that."

Maybe Ididknow. But I was in no mood to be fair. "So I'mnotfired? Is that what you're saying?"

He shoved a hand through his hair. "You really think I'd fire you?" For the second time in thirty seconds, he murmured, "What the hell?"

"Great," I said, shouldering my way past him. "See you Monday."