Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

With a sigh, I push back from my desk and stand.

Usually when she asks to talk to me, it’s because she’s about to hand me a big project with a short deadline. Love that for me on a Friday.

Grabbing a notebook and pen, I roll my neck out as I make my way down the hall.

I didn’t hate my bed before, and when Maddox is crammed onto the mattress with me, I love it, but since then, I’ve discovered I don’t sleep as well without him.

Brenda from HR is walking toward me, so I raise my hand in a wave. She does the same thing, but her smile is a little off.

“Morning.” I slow as I reach my manager’s office.

Brenda slows too. “Morning.”

We stand together for an awkward second before she gestures to the open doorway. “Go ahead.”

A prickly feeling creeps across my senses.

“Alright,” I say slowly, then enter my manager’s office.

“Hi, Hannah. Thanks for coming.” Her tone is almost robotic.

I stop in front of her desk. “What’s going on?”

The sound of Brenda from HR shutting the door is deafening in the room.

My manager clears her throat. “Please, have a seat.”

I lower myself into the chair. Brenda does the same in the chair next to me.

I don’t ask any more questions. There’s no need.

I can tell what this is.

I’m getting fired.

For a brief moment, half a heartbeat, I wonder if Maddox knows.

But that half heartbeat is all I need to know he doesn’t. He wouldn’t let me walk into this alone. He wouldn’t let them do it, period.

They’re doing this while he’s gone for a reason.

Because they’re afraid of him.

I press my lips together to stop an inappropriate smile.

God, he’s gonna lose it over this.

“Hannah,” my manager starts. “I’m sorry to have to say this, but we’re letting you go.”

I don’t respond right away.

Four years.

I’ve given these people four years of my life. Four years of going above and beyond just to prove myself. Four years of putting up with people like Brandon.

I’ve worked for this woman for four years, and they’re going to fire me on the spot because— I’m sure— they found out about my relationship with Maddox.

I don’t report to Maddox.