Page 97 of Love Under the Microscope
I swallow a sigh.
“Did you read the news report about Carrington?” Nate asks, pulling me away from my thoughts.
I blink. Man, I’ve been distracted today. Usually, I would have had someone watch and report back to me. “No. I forgot he had a press conference scheduled at the same time as the launch. What happened?”
“He was humiliated.” Nate laughs. “While we had the industry eating out of our hands about Orchid and its benefits—not to mention how we’re helping women-owned companies like Juliette Harrison’s and Christina’s fragrance companies—Jack proved Carrington to be the slimeball he actually is.”
My heart drops at the mention of Jack. I want to hear everything about him, but I’m supposed to be mad and hurt. Nate doesn’t seem to know that and continues to speak.
“During the Q&A, Jack stood and asked Nigel difficult questions about the testing, how he came up with the idea, and who wrote the formula. Nigel blundered his answers, and then Jack played the ace up his sleeve.”
“What was that?” I no longer care if I sound hurt or not.
“He played a recording of Nigel admitting he stole our formula and would ruin Zentello, as well as us.”
“Tell me it’s already going viral.”
“See for yourself.” Nate shows his phone to me.
I can’t help it. Pissed off or not, I watch Jack masterfully take down Nigel. If I didn’t already hate Nigel with every bone in my body, I’d almost feel sorry for how pitiful the poor fucker looks when he realizes he just obliterated his own company and career. But…
I slap a hand over my mouth. Jack did exactly what he said he would do. He still hadn’t been truthful, though.
“He’s a good guy, Zel.” Nate places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Everything he did was to protect you. It wasn’t because he didn’t trust you.” Nate laughs. “We both admitted there was a good chance you’d punch Nigel if you came face-to-face with him again, and we couldn’t risk that. If anything, Jack protected your job. Assault charges wouldn’t be a good look for an ostensible personal assistant or co-CEO.”
“I wouldn’t have hit Nigel.” Okay, I might’ve. “Jack still should have trusted me with the truth. Cut me in on the plan.”
Nate winks. “What, like a bank heist?”
I playfully slap him on the leg. “Shut up. You’re supposed to be on my side.”
“I am, which is why you should give Jack a chance.” Nate inhales. “Listen, I was the first person to tell you he wasn’t a good guy, but he came to me for you.”
“Okay.” Although I’m not sure if it is.
“The point I’m making is Jack is aware of how close we are and that we still love each other, even if that’s as strictly platonic best friends. Yet Jack swallowed his pride and came to me for help and gave me a heads-up about Nigel’s plans so I could move up the launch. A lot of men would have swung their dicks and tried to do everything themselves. He didn’t. He did what was best for you and Zentello.”
I’m stubborn, and that isn’t changing. “Well, he still should have told me.”
Nate shakes his head. “So, you’re not going to play nice.”
It isn’t a question. I look up, and when he points at the security camera, I see a man walking toward our office. My heart speeds up. It’s Jack.
“I have a meeting with Bradley and Max. Talk to you later.” Nate heads out of my office, leaving me confused—and with a rapidly approaching Jack. Shit.
He walks in looking sexier than he should in a sharp, navy-blue suit, crisp, white shirt, and a red power tie. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
“Yes, thank you.” I take a breath, hoping my racing heart will slow. “And thanks for what you did to Nigel at his press conference.”
Jack grins, and butterflies take flight in my stomach. “Entirely my pleasure. I hate that asshole for everything he’s put you through.”
God, he needs to stop saying things like that. I know something that’ll stop me thinking about Jack—Nigel. “Where is the asshole now?”
Jack shrugs. “No idea. He scuttled off with his tail between his legs.”
I clear my throat. “So what brings you to Zentello?”
I half hope he’s here to beg me to forgive him, but I doubt he is. He’s a principled journalist and thinks he’s right about how he implemented his “plan.”
