Page 100 of That Conflicted Feeling

Buteveryone suddenly turns to look through the glass wall into the main office, where people have risen to their feet, engrossed in a commotion at the end of the room.

Whatever’sgoing on is out of our line of vision, but there are muffled raised voices.

“Lookslike a security issue.I’llsee what’s up,” saysCharlotte, possibly grateful to have a reason to leave.

Asshe opens the door, some of the hubbub leaks in.

Aloud voice from around the corner says, “Ma’am, you can’t just—”

Followedby a female voice saying, “It’sfine.It’llbe fine.”

Anda different voice says, “Butyou can’t bringthatin here.”

“Typical,” saysTarquin. “Incompetentsecurity.”Hepoints his company logoed pen at me. “Youneed to hire a new firm,Max.”

Atthe far end of the glass wall, a huddle of security guards comes into view.They’reclustered around someone clearly trying to get away from them.It’slike a press scrum around the latest celeb.

Amidthe melee of legs are two that end in shiny blue rain boots.

Andfour that are white and fluffy.Andnot human.

Theeyes of everyone inside and outside the boardroom follow the gaggle as they make their way alongside the long glass wall toward the boardroom door.

“Honestly, you won’t be in trouble,” the woman says.

Andat that moment my stomach does a series of backflips, my heart swings on a trapeze, and the rest of my internal organs stumble around my body in clown feet as every buzzer, alarm, and claxon in my brain goes off at the sound ofPolly’svoice.

She’sstill hidden inside a ring of security guards as one of them says, “Ma’am, you can’t be up here.”

“I’msorry.I’msorry,” she says. “Iunderstand about the policies.ButIthink it’ll be fine.Areyou sure he’s down here?”

Charlotte’svoice pipes up from somewhere in the ruckus. “Shedoesn’t have an appointment.ButIthink it might be okay.”

Charlotteletting in someone without an appointment is a first.Butthen she’s never had any trouble grasping the gravity of a situation.

Mymouth curves up at the corners, using muscles that haven’t seen action for weeks.

I’msuddenly warm all over.Myhands shake asIunbutton my jacket to let in some air.

GoodGod, the effect this woman has on me is unique, startling, and has knocked my world off its axis.

AsPollyand her donut of security guards reach the door, she bursts through them.

Hereyes immediately find me across the other side of what now feels like a giant island of boardroom table.

She’sflushed, breathless.Beautiful.

Andwearing the fertility wreath around her neck while leading a baby goat on a leash.HowIadore all the ways in which she is completely ridiculous.

“Polly, what are you do—”

Itake one step toward walking around to scoop her up, but she holds up her palm. “Waitthere a minute.”

“Er, security?”Tarquinsays. “Cansix of you really not manage to stop one small woman from accessing a private floor?Notto mention one who’s leading some sort of…sheep.”Hepauses and screws up his nose as he flaps his hand in the general direction of the baby goat. “Getthem the hell out of here.”

Thebiggest and burliest of the guards grabsPolly’supper arm andIwant to punch him in the face.ButI’mall the way across the other side of this obscenely large table, soIpoint at him instead.

“Getyour hands off her.”Hedrops her arm like it scalded him. “Securitycan all leave.Shestays.”Iswing my pointing finger till it’s aimed right atTarquin. “Andyou.Youcan shut the fuck up.”