Love, Utley (Love Letters #1)

It’s us, his hand on my cheek, mine on his, looking into each other’s eyes.

I can’t stop my smile.

It’s no wonder we didn’t notice the person following us.

We look… in love.

We look so in love it makes my heart ache.

I miss Maddox.

I want him home.

“Is this you?” Brenda asks again.

I lift my gaze from the tablet to level a gaze at her. “Obviously it is.”

My manager shifts in her seat. “You can see why, then.”

I turn my stare to her. “Does it bother you at all that your source was clearly following us to get these photographs?”

She squirms. “That’s not…” She glances at Brenda.

I hold up my hand. “No, of course not. Why worry about the ethics of the creep who took these when you can condemn me instead.”

“Hannah—” Brenda starts in a chastising tone.

I snap my eyes to hers. “Don’t bother with your justifications.” I hold the tablet out. “Can you send me those?”

Brenda looks shocked. “The photos?”

I nod.

“No.”

“Why not?” I ask, truly curious. “Seems like if it’s the evidence I’m getting fired over, I should have a copy.”

Brenda presses the button to turn off the screen, like that will delete the pictures. “It wouldn’t be appropriate.”

I let her see my eye roll. “Fine. I’ll just get them from Maddox.”

“I don’t think…”

A humorless laugh falls out of me. “You don’t think Maddox will demand them as soon as he finds out about this. Because you didn’t tell him, did you? You’re just trying to clear up this little scandal while he’s out of town.” They don’t respond. “Gee, how could that possibly backfire?” I say sarcastically, then shake my head. “Anything else?”

“It’s company policy that a member from HR stays with you while you pack up your office.” My manager’s eyes are on her desk. “And your final paycheck will have your accumulated PTO payout included.”

I turn back to Brenda. “You the one supervising me?”

She nods.

I stand. “Let’s get this over with then.”

ONE HUNDRED NINE

MADDOX

Me: I survived.