Page 80 of His Good Girl

He handed me another form. “Sign here.”

At 5:01, he finally released me.

“Tomorrow, nine,” he said. “Bring the laptop. Bring your badge. Bring less visible yearning.”

I nearly dropped my bag. “Excuse me?”

He looked bland. “For professional development. A general recommendation.”

“I do not have visible yearning.”

“You have visible something. I am being generous with terminology.”

“Goodbye, Ben.”

“Read pages twelve through nineteen of the operations guide. Do not skim it. I can tell when people skim.”

“I’m leaving now.”

“Wise.”

I made it to the elevator before turning back toward the operations floor. Through the glass and movement, I could see the far hallway leading toward Callum’s office. He was nowhere visible. I told myself that was good. Still, some small, stubborn part of me wanted him to appear.

He did not.

The elevator doors opened. My phone buzzed just as I stepped inside. For one reckless second, hope leapt, but it was Jules.

Jules:First day report. Did anyone die? Did Callum commit more open throat crimes? Did Benjamin challenge you to trial by combat?

I stared at the message, then laughed softly as the doors closed.

Me:No one died. Open throats happened. I am not ready to discuss that fact.

Jules:Oh, God.

Me:Also he called me young lady. Twice.

The typing bubbles appeared instantly.

Disappeared.

Appeared again.

Then:

Jules:I need to sit down and I am already sitting.

I leaned against the elevator wall, exhausted, aching, alive in every inconvenient place.

Me:Girl, same.

The elevator descended, carrying me away from the forty-seventh floor, from Benjamin’s insults and Dana’s red pen and Callum’s office with its glass walls, uneaten salad, and charged silence. Tomorrow, I would come back.

I closed my eyes and reminded myself that Callum was forbidden, but for the first time, it didn’t sound like a warning.

It sounded like a dare.

CHAPTER 10