It was so like Phil to throw a wrench into a pleasant TGIF.
“I hope the wind doesn’t change direction.” Suz bumped her hip into Lynn’s as she leaned in to push the down button.
“Do I even want you to explain why you’re talking about the weather?” Lynn tapped her foot, arms folded firmly over her chest.
Her BFF snorted. “I can’t believe you don’t know this one. It’s an old wives’ tale about your face getting stuck…” The up light clicked on with a ding, and they stepped away to allow passengers off. “Never mind. What’s wrong?”
Suz held the elevator door open as Lynn moved inside. “Stupid idiot,” she muttered. “It’s nothing. I’ll tell you later.”
“Oops, this sounds important. I’ll ride with you.” Her friend waited until the doors shut before raising one eyebrow commandingly. “Spill. And there better not be trouble in paradise. You two lovebirds are so damn perfect for each other you give me a sugar high.”
“Oh, it’s not Parker. And shut up with the perfect thing. We are not.”
“Are too. I expect him to finish your sentences next. Or start writing you poetry and getting skywriters to post it. ‘There was once a woman named Lynn, who made Parker Wilson’s head spin. They had lots of sex, ’til from—’”
“Stop it.” Lynn gave her a thump on the shoulder. “It’s not Parker. I’ve been summoned to Phil’s office to discuss my project.”
Suz gasped. “No!”
“Yes.”
“What the hell does he have to do with your program?”
“Nothing. I don’t think. He’s just being a shit.” The elevator pinged to a stop, and Lynn sighed wearily. “I’ve had enough of him.”
“Of course you have. So tell him that, then meet me for lunch and tell me everything else that happens, okay?”
Suz blew her a kiss, wiggling her fingers as the elevator doors creaked shut.
The advertising floor was just as noisy as layout, and Lynn strode quickly through the open hallways to Phil’s office. She was going to be firm this time. More firm. Firmer-than-ever-before firm.
Work related, fine. She’d get along with everyone, including Phil. But she would not put up with any more of this…stalking. No more.
Parker had taught her a few things about stating her mind and going after what she wanted. And that new confidence could carry outside the bedroom, no problem.
Lynn closed in on Phil’s office, put her knuckles to the door, and knocked loudly.
“Come in.”
When she walked inside, Phil immediately rose to greet her, his smile broad, hands reaching for her. “Lynn. So good to see—”
“I’m on a schedule.” She dodged his grasp. “I’m not here for small talk, or for you to make a pass at me. Get to the point.”
He pulled his hands away. “No offense intended. Please, sit, and I’ll keep it brief.”
Phil gestured in front of his desk where two chairs were placed side by side. For once his desktop was empty of all “look, I’m so important” paraphernalia, just a copy of their paper open on the surface.
Lynn twisted her chair away from his before sitting, careful to keep her feet and hands out of his personal space. “You wanted to discuss my digital program? It’s currently with upper management. I gave it to them a while ago, and they’re considering its merits. I really have nothing more to discuss with you, especially about the program, so if you have any concerns, you should speak—”
“Lynn,” he interrupted, easing back in his chair as he dragged a hand through his perfect dark hair. He shook his head sadly, furrows creasing his brow as he lowered his voice. “I’m so sorry for everything that’s happened. For what I did to make you not trust me. It was never my intention to hurt you, and I hope someday you can forgive me.”
She maintained as blank an expression as possible. This was unexpected. “You cheated on me, Phil. With more than one woman. I mean, it’s not as if we were having the greatest love affair of the century, but I deserved more than that.”
“You did. And you do.”
Whoa. Lynn lost her nonchalance and blinked in surprise.
He continued before she could speak. “You deserve the best—a man who respects you, and your work. Who cares for the unique, wonderful creature you are.”
Double whoa. This was getting creepy.
“Well, yes. I do. And I’ve found someone who makes me happy. So if we could just get back to the—”
“Ah, yes. Your new boyfriend. I have to admit I was shocked.”
The pleasant feelings she’d been having toward Phil faded rapidly. “My relationship with Parker is none of your business.”
“No, of course it’s not. I was just surprised to see he’d gotten involved with a client so soon after using DreamMakers resources to investigate her.”
A client?