Chapter 3

That afternoon, the Starcrest client specifically asked me to sit in on the proposal meeting.

Nash's smile tightened. "If they want to meet the person behind the proposal, then I should be the one presenting it."

The account manager looked awkward. "They've seen Bryce's previous work. They specifically asked him to lead the presentation."

Janet looked at me. "Then both of you will go."

Nash flipped through the materials, then said, "I'll handle the presentation. Bryce can take the Q&A."

Before I could say anything, Janet nodded. "Sounds good."

Less than ten minutes into the meeting, Nash mixed up several key figures from my proposal.

The client stopped him mid-sentence. "Mr. Fuller, who built this user model?"

Nash's expression stiffened.

I took the microphone and walked the client through the model myself. By the time I finished, the client's frown had eased.

"That makes sense. Mr. Carey, I'd like to work with you directly on this project from here on out."

Nash didn't say much on the drive back.

Janet was the first to break the silence. "Bryce, you didn't have to step in like that."

"He had the numbers wrong."

"You could've corrected him without taking over. You didn't need to make him look bad in front of the client."

I glanced toward the passenger seat. Nash stared out the window, jaw tight, clearly irritated.

"So I was supposed to sit there and let us lose the account?"

"We weren't going to lose it." Janet's voice cooled. "You just wanted to show everyone you were better than him."

Nash cut in, "Enough. This one's on me. Bryce, I know you don't like me, but work is work. You don't need to let personal stuff get in the way."

I almost laughed. "Why wouldn't I like you?"

"Because of Janet." He said it like the answer was obvious.

Janet cut in immediately. "Nash."

"What? Am I wrong?" He gave a faint smile. "You've been watching her ever since the hike. People at the office even say they've seen you going home with her."

My shoulders tensed.

A few people at work had seen me go into Janet's apartment before. Over the two years we had been together, I stayed there plenty of nights.

Janet kept her eyes on the road. "He drops off documents sometimes. Don't make it into something it's not."

Nash let out a quiet, knowing laugh. "Right."

The car went silent.

I didn't bother explaining.

After we got back to the office, I remembered I had left the original Starcrest files at Janet's apartment. I went over that evening to pick them up, but the fingerprint lock wouldn't let me in.

Janet came back about half an hour later. She opened the door but stayed in the doorway, blocking me from going inside.

A minute later, she came back with a cardboard box and set it at my feet. "I packed up your things."

I looked at her. "Why'd you delete my fingerprint?"

"Nash hates staying in hotels, so he's going to stay here for a while."

She lowered her voice. "He knows you used to have access to my apartment. I don't want him getting the wrong idea."

Just then, Nash walked out of the master bedroom in a plain T-shirt and sweatpants, looking completely at home.

He stopped when he saw me. "Bryce? What are you doing here?"

I looked past him, then back at Janet. "Why's he in your bedroom?"

Janet immediately stepped into my line of sight. "The AC in the guest room is out. Don't start."

Nash leaned against the doorframe. "Janet, does he really only come over to drop off documents?"

I looked at her and waited.

After a few seconds, Janet nudged the box farther into the hallway.

"Yes."

Then she shut the door in my face.

From inside, I heard Nash ask, "He's into you, isn't he?"

Janet answered quietly, "Ignore him."

A second later, the lock beeped.

-

The next day, Nash presented the final Starcrest proposal to the company.

My name was gone.

Later, he caught me alone in the locker room. "Seeing me at Janet's place last night got under your skin, didn't it?"