Page 102 of The Boss and the Wedding Mess

“No. You know what I mean. Do I really have to say it?”

I have absolutely no idea what he’s talking about.

“Yes! I don’t know what you mean.”

"You stole my USB."

Excuse me?

"You're angry about a USB?" I ask, confused.

"So, you have it?"

He looks angry and disappointed.

"If I accidentally pocketed one, I'm sorry, but I don't think so. Such a small thing could easily fall down or end up in the trash.I've only carried coffee cups and things from the kitchen in and out of your office."

He's silent staring at me critically.

"Maybe it came along on a tray once, or I accidentally knocked it down. If it's gone, I'm sorry. I... wait. Do you think I deliberately threw it away?"

He keeps not saying anything.

"That's it? You think I threw away a USB drive at some point to annoy you? Are you serious? That's why you're angry?" I'm speechless and need to collect myself briefly. "Was it made of gold, or what?"

Silence.

Absolute silence.

"You swear you didn't take it?"

"Not intentionally. I don't know. I think I would have noticed if I’d taken it to the kitchen. I always sort the dishes right away and put the tray up. If it had been on the tray, it would surely have fallen off and..."

"Okay. That's enough." Alex raises his hand, and I fall silent. "I believe you."

He rubs his temples.

"Do you need a painkiller?"

I open my clutch and dig out my small container with emergency meds: headaches, fever, nausea. Luckily, I always carry these things. "Take it with my water."

"I don't have a headache. I'm just realizing something."

"That I'm not a thief?" I ask bitterly. "I hate being accused when I haven't done anything."

"The only one who could be responsible now is Marc."

Oh.

Oh! Now I get it.

"That USB probably just fell down. Maybe it was vacuumed up when the cleaning staff was here. If they didn't notice, we could check the trash and..."

"No. There was one in my safe. But it was empty."

"Then you deleted the data. Or the drive was damaged!" And then he accusesme? "I'm the one who should be angry. Not you!"

"There was data on that drive. Very important data. I had it in my hand and placed it on the table. Marc was there and you came in to bring him a Coke."