The Build Up (34)

“It royally embarrassed me in front of the partners and client. I went back to the drawing board, but nothing I did was as good as that initial design. At the next meeting, Maurice wants to present his design. The higher-ups were impressed that a junior associate had taken some initiative. They let him present. As he pulled his designs up, I nearly screamed. It was my design. From start to finish. Every damn detail, down to window placement showcasing Lake Michigan. Maurice had taken my work, claimed it as his own. At least he was smart enough to cover his tracks with erasing the cloud.”

My eyes widened as I sat in stunned silence. After a few minutes, I was able to compose myself. “So did you tell the partners?”

Ari nodded fervently. “Of course, I went to the partners. I told them Maurice was a liar and a thief. I said it was my design that somehow magically disappeared everywhere. They asked me how I could prove it and I said I knew he did because he knew my password. We worked closely together. Maurice said I was the liar, and that I was being vindictive because we had been in a sexual relationship and, for the greater good of our working relationship, he had broken it off. He said I was now hurling accusations of theft and that I was sexually harassing him because, and I quote, ‘Ari’s insecure and desperate for attention. Just look at her.’”

Now I was percolating with hate for a dude I didn’t even know, but whose ass I wanted to kick. “Insecure? You? What a fucking asshole!”

Ari laughed. “Right! When have I ever been insecure? I may be a lot of things, but insecure isn’t one of them.”

“Oh, I know you’re not. You’re one of the most confident folks I know.” I paused as she smiled, appreciating the compliment. “So, what happened?”

I felt a twinge of dread asking her to explain what was sure to be the worst part of her ordeal in Chicago.

Ari deadpanned. “What do you think happens when the only woman in a firm stands up to a man? They said I can either resign quietly, giving me a handsome severance package, sign an NDA, and provide recommendations with no mention of the incident. Leland, Stokes, and Brandies are well-respected and powerful in our industry. They could blackball me from every firm in America. During the mediations with LSB, my dad died. That was my sign. So, I resigned, took the money, came back home to Atlanta. I took part of the generous severance package to fix up my childhood home. After a few months home, I got a call from Mr. Riddle to recruit me for this project. That’s the story.”

I looked at Ari with all the sympathy I could muster. “I see.”

“Porter, I hope you understand now why kissing you was a mistake. I don’t want to risk my reputation at yet another firm. Then what? I’d be out on my ass with nothing. Hell, I’m taking a risk just telling you this.”

I leaned in closer. “Ari, first, what you’ve said to me, stays between us. Secondly, I’d never do what Maurice did. Never! I respect you. I respect your talent. Your worth.” I pressed her hand with a light, reassuring squeeze. “Trust me, I’d never do what that coward did. I’d never hurt you that way. I truly value our partnership.”

Ari smiled. “I appreciate that, Porter. But do you understand where I’m coming from?”

I chewed the inside of my jaw. “You’re right. We can’t jeopardize our jobs here. I take full responsibility for my part in things. I just don’t want any personal issues between us to show in our work. It’s obvious to everyone that something is wrong.”

“Yeah. Well. I get it. We have to work closely. But that doesn’t mean we need to be that close. Let’s just keep it friendly.”

“Agreed. Before we do that, let’s just state some facts.”

Ari folded her arms. “I love facts. What facts would those be?”

“There is an attraction between us. An undeniably strong attraction.”

Ari let out a bit of a guffaw. “Well, aren’t you blunt? And presumptuous.”

I moved my chair closer. I was inches from her thighs and could feel the heat radiating from her body. The feeling brought me back to the night of our kiss.

“Presumptuous? Woman, I’m not a man who presumes. This is a fact: There is an attraction between us.”

My eyes went to her thighs pressed together as Ari shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

“So, what if there is? It doesn’t matter.”

“We are and it does. Now that we’ve acknowledged it, we can move forward and start over.”

“Okay. Let’s start over.” Ari stood up from her chair, extending her hand to me for a shake. I stood from my seat, looked her in the eye, and shook her hand firmly.

“Hi. I’m Porter. I love a good scotch and jazz on vinyl. I’m your partner on this project. I don’t date coworkers and I won’t kiss you again,” I said with all the seriousness I could muster.

Ari smiled that wide, gorgeous smile of hers, her hand still in mine. “Nice to meet you. I’m Ari. I love baseball and tacos al pastor. I too don’t date coworkers. I also don’t want to kiss you again.”

We laughed as we let go of each other’s hands, staring at each other for a few seconds. Ari turned, breaking the stillness, and began gathering her iPad and notes. I watched her and my heart stilled. I knew I was fooling myself. Despite everything that she’d just told me, I knew it was too late. How could I not want Ari when just one look from her turned my world on its axis?