I force myself to go to work on Tuesday. I have to tell JoAnna about Lauren’s party. My fake relationship with Barrett. Everything. It won’t make what I’ve done right, but at least she’ll have all the facts and can decide for herself.

I know I’m potentially blowing up my career, but I realize I’ll always be worried that she could find out. If I’m going to advance in my career, I want to do it with a clear conscience.

JoAnna knows there’s something wrong the moment she sees me in the doorway to her office.

“Chloe, come in. Are you okay?”

“Um.” I falter with how to start the conversation.

“If you’re still not feeling well, you should’ve stayed home.”

Maybe I could take the easy way out? Buy myself another day? It’s tempting, but I know I need to clear this up.

I take a breath and tell her everything. The party. The arrangement with Barrett. How I developed real feelings for him and how we were dating for real until Sunday when we broke up. I think we broke up. I’m a thousand percent certain that the ache in my chest is from a broken heart.

JoAnna pats my hand, a kind smile on her face. “I know.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Not about the party, but now it makes sense. I thought it was interesting that you and Barrett were dating out of the blue and the kiss you shared the morning you told me—if I’ve ever seen a first kiss, that’s what one looks like. Hesitant. Unsure. Captivated. I wasn’t sure what was going on between you two but I wanted it to play out. Honestly, I liked the idea of you two together. I still do.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

“You did the right thing taking a stand for what is right. Barrett is a hard man to stand up to. Like his father before him, he’s got great ambition and sometimes—most times—he can’t see past it. But I know he was different with you. He wants to be different.”

I nod. It’s all I can do. Talking about Barrett sends a fresh wave of emotion over me. The tears are threatening again.