And why the fuck do I care?

The confusion swirls with the unresolved conundrum from earlier when I accidentally admitted I’d be happy to watch her succeed in the role.

It was the truth, not some bullshit said in jest to rile her up. She’d never believe me, though, so I didn’t bother arguing when she insisted as much.

“Just… leave me alone, Henry,” She huffs out, pushing past me. Her elbow digs into my side. “You can dream about a house all you want. The last thing I would ever do is fall in love with you.”

“Famous last words,” I bark out without any bite, turning back to the bar so I don’t have to watch her walk away. Nodding my thanks for the prepared drinks, I grab the tray and shuffle back over to the guys, plopping the fresh round on the table and trying to ignore how the knowledge of Emma being somewhere nearby rattles my thoughts, disrupting my focus.

“Took you long enough,” Neil says, taking his beverage.

“I need some advice,” I admit, rubbing my jaw. “I’m aware I’ve acted childish in the office and I want to spend the next two months being better.”

“I know firsthand how it might be enjoyable and fun to annoy certain people in the workplace. Hell, I taunted Jo daily after she closed the elevator doors in my face,” Jack says, smiling secretly into his glass. He’s so infatuated with his girlfriend, it’s not even worth making jokes about them anymore. “And, sure, it was my pathetic attempt at flirting and getting her attention, but it didn’t have a purpose. It didn’t benefit anyone. If you want to be taken seriously, maybe lay off the pranks and jokes.”

I nod in agreement. “I see exactly what you mean. Any other suggestions?”

“It might be beneficial to watch what you say around other people,” Noah suggests. “Commenting on a woman’s looks unprovoked is teetering toward antagonizing and sexist.”

My mouth falls open. “You think I’m sexist?”

“No, I don’t think you’re sexist. Remarks about, say, a woman’s glasses is a good example. Calling an article of clothing hot or not hot is fairly derogatory. Words matter, H. Keep that shit out of your professional life. And your personal life, too.”

Repulsion and shame inch down my spine as my neck heats. I take a sip of my drink to stop the mortification. “Fuck. I didn’t think of it like that. I always thought it was in good fun, you know? Something to laugh about. But… Jesus, I don’t want to bully anyone. That’s gotta change immediately.”