“While Brock doesn’t make any concessions toward me because of our relationship, I’m pretty sure he and my father would not appreciate such insinuations, but most importantly, I don’t. This is the one and only time I’m going to have this conversation with you,” I warned, lifting my chin. “We can work together. We can continue to make Lima Academy a state-of-the-art training facility that includes an amazing opportunity that could expand my father’s dream. Or you can find another job. That’s your choice. Don’t make me make it for you.”

Paul was silent.

“That’s all for now,” I finished.

He sat there for a few moments and then he nodded curtly. I watch him rise from the chair and stiffly walk out of my office, leaving the door halfway open.

Once he was gone from my sight, I exhaled at the same point I laughed. It was shaky and strained, because a tiny part of me couldn’t believe I’d actually done that.

I didn’t just stand up for myself and my decisions, I delivered an epic verbal bitch slap. I sort of wanted to pat myself on the back.

Screw patting myself on the pack.

I was going to eat a plate of cheese fries tonight.

Smiling, I turned to my computer and got back to work, feeling . . . I don’t know. Strong? Confident. Badass. I felt like I imagined how Steph felt, and that was amazing.

The grin stayed on my face for several hours as I got caught up on email. It was getting close to four in the afternoon and the little Christmas tree I’d brought into the office twinkled and shimmered in the fading afternoon light. I was about to go raid the vending machine when there was a soft knock on my door.

I looked up and my breath stalled.

Kristen Morgan stood in the doorway of my office. I blinked, thinking I was hallucinating, but it was her. Dressed in dark denim jeans and a white turtleneck that hugged her upper body, she looked like she just walked off a Macy’s catalog.

Did she have the wrong office?

If she did, why in the hell was she here to see Brock?

“I know this is very unexpected, but I was hoping you had a moment,” she said, curling one manicured hand over the door knob. “Because I really need to talk to you.”

“About what?” I was absolutely dumbfounded.

She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. “I need to talk to you about Brock. You deserve to know the truth.”

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

“Deserve to know what truth?” I asked, having no idea what the hell she was talking about.

Kristen gestured at the chair. “May I?”

So polite.