“She admitted to everything.” Tyler shook his head as though in disbelief or denial. “Taking Xavier’s copy of the failed test results, using Xavier’s card to access your office and sending the email from your account.”
The extent of Lauren’s deception stole Iris’s breath. Was this really happening—or had someone cast her as a secondary heroine in a prime-time soap opera without her permission? “Why would she do that?”
Tyler rubbed the back of his neck. “She wanted to make me look incompetent so that my father would name Xavier CEO of Anderson Adventures instead of me.”
A flash of hot, stinging rage shot through Iris’s system. “That evil witch.”
“Agreed.” Tyler’s voice was grim. “Her ambition caused a lot of damage, some of it possibly irreparable.”
“No wonder your aunt doesn’t like her.”
“What makes you think Aunt Kayla doesn’t like Lauren?”
Iris surprised herself with a burst of laughter. It eased the frown from her expression and startled Tyler. “Do you really think your aunt can’t remember Lauren’s name or what she does for a living? Of course she can. But pretending to forget is a mother’s way of telling her adult son that she doesn’t approve of his girlfriend.”
“That sounds like something Aunt Kayla would do.” Tyler’s face eased into a warm grin that stopped Iris’s heart.
She pu
lled her gaze from Tyler’s lips and focused instead on her hands. They were folded in a white-knuckled grip on the table. Iris made herself relax. “Xavier must be devastated. He’d trusted Lauren.”
Equally as devastating as learning the person you love doesn’t trust you. Iris inhaled sharply at the pain in her chest.
“I’m sure this experience will make it hard for Xavier to trust someone again.” Tyler’s ebony eyes were clouded with concern.
“I’m glad you were able to get this cleared up.”
“I’m sorry it happened. I’m even sorrier for my reaction.” Tyler hesitated. “I know my accusation hurt you. I truly regret that. I should have believed in you, Iris. Will you accept my apology?”
Tyler’s voice was deep and low. Seductive. Iris struggled under his spell. His dark eyes pleaded with her. She looked away. Deep inside she was angry with him and she wanted to remain that way. But in her heart she knew there wasn’t any reason to hold a grudge. Enough people had been hurt by Lauren’s selfish aspirations. “Yes, I’ll accept your apology.”
“Thank you.” Tyler gave her another heart-stopping grin. “Would you also be willing to help us complete the campaign launch?”
Iris stiffened. That was a little trickier. “Yes, but I’d prefer to work from home.” She braced herself for an argument. It never came.
“All right.” Tyler’s words were thick with disappointment.
Iris was disappointed, too, and hurt. She’d begged Tyler to believe her and his response had been an unequivocal no. How could he expect her to work from Anderson Adventures’ offices after that? She couldn’t work that closely—literally or figuratively—with Tyler any longer. In fact, Iris needed to leave. Now. “If there’s nothing else, I have to get back to work.”
Tyler’s muscles tensed as he watched Iris collect her purse and briefcase. She rose from her seat. She couldn’t leave, not yet.
“There’s one more thing.” He stood on legs that weren’t quite steady and circled the table to stand beside her.
“What is it?” She faced him as though they were polite strangers, as though the memories and passions of the past three months had never existed.
His gaze took in her figure-hugging red skirt suit and matching pumps. “Us.”
Iris’s eyes flared, then narrowed. “There is no us.”
Tyler raised both hands, palms out. “Please hear me out.”
“I have other clients waiting for me.” She stepped to the side but Tyler blocked her way. His reaction seemed to surprise both of them.
“I’m sorry I accused you of trying to sabotage the company.” He couldn’t read the expression on her face. Were his words enough? Did she want more?
“You’re forgiven.” She tried to step around him again.
Again, Tyler mirrored her move, blocking her path. “When we first met, you asked that we be honest with each other. Why did you say you’ve forgiven me when it’s obvious that you haven’t?”