“What will you do about the ethics situation?”
“It won’t matter if I get a new job. But, Mom, all of the photos, autographs, and selfies? It was overwhelming. It wasn’t until we were at the hotel when I realized that if Joe found out I’d have serious issues at the firm, and I freaked out. My homing instinct ignited, and I just wanted to be here to calm down and come up with a plan.”
Mom dropped a bomb. “If it’s any consolation, Ty came over when you were working late a couple of weeks ago to talk to me and your dad.”
“Why?” I was beyond shocked. He’d said nothing about it.
“He loves you. He’s a good man, but he’s not perfect.” My mom’s gentle voice soothed me a bit. “And neither are you, sweetheart.”
“God, don’t I know that.” Tears leaked down my cheeks. “What if I tank my career and Ty and I don’t work out? I’m so confused. I’m not sure if I’m prepared to live my life so publicly, and with Ty it’s my only option.”
“Zoey, you’ve always been such a serious, careful girl. Now, you’re a serious, careful young woman. Your dad and I always encouraged you to come out of your shell. We’ve worried about your solitary tendencies for years. Only you can decide what makes you happy and how you want to interact in this world. All I ask as your mother is that you don’t make decisions out of fear. Don’t always plan for the worst, or you will draw the worst to you. Tonight, allow yourself to dream about your perfect life and all of the people surrounding you. Think about how you’d feel in this perfect life. I guarantee, you will know what to do.”
“You sound like a self-help book.” I was able to muster up a smile.
“Moms always know best, remember that,” she laughed.
A couple of days later, I sat at my desk well past office hours. I still hadn’t heard from Ty, and I hadn’t reached out to him either. I was numb, bordering on depressed.
Staring out my window at the Space Needle, I waited for Joe, who had requested a meeting. I knew it was do or die time. Even if we weren’t together anymore, my ethics professor had advised me to let HR know about my relationship with Ty. I’d emailed them that morning and the meeting request from Joe followed within minutes. All day the wait made me feel nauseated, anticipating the conversation I’d be having any second now.
My mind was swirling around on a loop. When I got this way, Ty teased me about the hamster wheel in my head. Where was he now? My career was about to tank because of our relationship that didn’t even exist anymore.
I glanced at the clock and realized Joe was over half an hour late. Figuring, or maybe hoping, he had forgotten our meeting, I decided to pack up and go home to my empty condo. Nothing said “party” more than eating a pint of Haagen-Dazs Peanut Butter and Chocolate for dinner in front of BravoTV after you lost your job because of your famous boyfriend who wasn’t your boyfriend anymore.
Just as I powered down my PC, I noticed Joe standing at my office door. “Zoey? Good, I’m not too late. Do you still have a minute?”
“Sure, Joe.” I inwardly sighed, smoothed the slacks on my black pantsuit, and sat back down at my desk. He took the seat across from me, leaving my door open.
“We need to discuss Tyson Rainier.” He lowered his reading glasses to look me in the eye.
“Okay”
“Zoey, I’ve learned that you have been seeing Mr. Rainier. As a client of the firm, there are ethical concerns.” He tapped his fingers on my desk.
“Yes, which is why I disclosed to HR about it. Ty has been my lover since I was eighteen years old. Well before I brought his foundation business to the firm.” I held his gaze, refusing to apologize for my sexual history or my relationship with Ty. It was none of his fucking business.
Well, maybe it was, but I had to stand my ground.
“Ehh. Umm,” Joe sputtered, visibly shocked at my unexpected crassness.
“You might remember from that first meeting that Ty and I lost touch for a few years, but we started dating again.”
“Zoey, you have to understand, this firm takes its ethical responsibilities—”
“I didn’t do anything to deliberately compromise this firm.” I cut him off.
“I didn’t say that.”
“Look, I need to take some time. I know that I don’t have enough seniority for a sabbatical. I’m happy to formalize my resignation in writing.”
“Zoey, wait. We don’t want to lose you.”
“I’m not making this decision irrationally. I appreciate all that you have done for me. I just—” I looked out the window without finishing.
“Want to do something else?” Joe asked.
“I don’t know. But I need a change.”
Joe tapped his finger to his nose. “Zoey, forgive me for asking, it isn’t my business but are you sure he’s the man for you? It seems like he has a pretty troubled history.”
“He’s always been the only man for me, Joe.” I furrowed my brow. “You don’t know him, and you shouldn’t believe everything you read.”
“Wait a minute—” His eyes opened wide. “You’re Z!”
“Umm.” My downturned eyes said it all.
“Oh, wow.” Joe was stunned. “Wow.”
“Yes, Joe. I’m the one he wrote all those songs about. I won’t go into everything, but there are two sides to the story and his version has become our truth. Until he showed up last June, we’d lost touch. He’s a public figure, which means I’m going to be outed. It’s best if I leave to protect the firm.”
“Um. Um. Well, um—Huh.” He looked completely befuddled. If that’s your decision, I won’t stand in your way.”
“Thanks, Joe. Seriously. For everything.” I stood too and
