“We have some things to discuss,” Ana says. “I’m sorry that we’re doing this so informally. I hoped to not be in my pajamas, but you weren’t in the office on Friday and I won’t be in tomorrow. I figured conversations are always better over waffles.”

Normally, I would agree.

But maple syrup and globs of melted butter do little to sugarcoat the acts of a sexual predator.

“I would like to make you a job offer.”

“Ana—”

“Social Media Specialist.”

“I—”

“It’s not going to be with Loveridge & McGowan.”

Wait.

What?

“You look very confused.”

“That’s… an understatement.”

The iron chirps and Ana pauses to remove a waffle, plating it before sliding it over to me. I’m not hungry. It feels like there’s a pile of bricks sitting in my stomach.

“There are things that are about to happen that will change the company.”

“Do these things involve Levi Booker?”

If Ana is surprised by my question, she hides it well. She doesn’t flinch. Nor does she look up from the batter she’s ladling into the waffle iron.

“Asher told you.”

“No,” I say. “He won’t tell me anything, just that there’s a lot I don’t know.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Yeah, he said that too.”

“Please don’t be upset with him,” Ana says. “We made a decision not to get anyone involved.”

“But I am involved,” I say. “I was involved the moment Levi put his hands on me. Just like all those other girls. We’re all involved.”

“I know,” she says, her eyes falling to the counter. “And I will never be able to do enough to make this better.”

“You could stop protecting him.”

“We’re not protecting him.” Her voice is sharp. “Believe me, as soon as I found out what was going on, I got someone on Levi’s security team to make sure it didn’t happen again. Like I said, it’s complicated. There are NDAs involved and contracts and a lot of overpaid attorneys who bend all sorts of laws. There’s a reason Asher wouldn’t let you sign that NDA. It would legally bind you to Levi’s team. He’s trying to protect you.”

I look down at my waffle. It’s cold and sad, begging to be soaked in butter and syrup. I feel sick and confused. I’m sad and angry. I feel everything at once. It makes me dizzy.

I don’t need to be protected.

I need honesty.

Ana’s hand slips over mine, forcing my eyes to meet hers. “I would never protect someone like Levi Booker or River McGowan.”

Deep down, I knew that. There had to be something more—something bigger. I shouldn’t have doubted her.

And I shouldn’t have doubted Asher.

* * *

To: Loveridge & McGowan Employee Network

Cc: Ana Loveridge-Herrera, River McGowan

From: Olivia Langley

Subject: An Afternoon of Giving