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“Good afternoon, Marissa. Arnie wants to see you in his office.”
“Okay, I need to make a quick phone call and?—”
“Right away.” Her firm voice left no room for negotiation.
Marissa blinked in surprise. “Okay. Be right there.”
Marissa didn’t move right away. Dee had never spoken to her in such a tone before. What could possibly be wrong?
Starting down the corridor, Marissa felt like a dead woman walking. The good mood she was in after talking to Bruno during lunch was completely replaced by a queasy sensation in her stomach. Something was wrong. She had never gotten in trouble at work before and didn’t know exactly what was about to happen.
When she entered Arnie’s office, he was sitting on the edge of his desk facing the door, his beefy arms crossed over his massive chest and a frown on his face.
“Close the door,” he said in a quiet voice.
She did as he asked and walked deeper into the room, feeling like a student summoned to the principal’s office for an infraction.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” he asked.
Dread tiptoed down her spine. Did he know? If he had no idea about her relationship with Bruno, she didn’t want to volunteer information and incriminate herself.
She licked her chapped lips. “About what?” she asked in a quiet voice.
With a heavy sigh, Arnie pushed off the desk. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he strolled over to the wall and gazed at the framed awards—certificates for excellent service and other industry accolades Executive Match had received over the years.
Marissa waited with her heart thumping against her ribs.
Please don’t let him have found out. Please don’t let him have found out.
Arnie faced her. “You’ve been with this company for a long time. Eight, almost nine years in the industry. You know how important reputation is, trust, and ethics. We’re dealing with people’s personal lives in the very emotional space of relationships and falling in love. Knowing you, of all people, could have violated the sacred trust our clients have in us, is terribly disappointing.”
“What exactly do you think I did?” Marissa asked in a shaky voice, holding out hope that he had no idea about her and Bruno.
“I know you’re sleeping with Bruno Santana.”
The blunt accusation took her aback. Her stomach free falled. She suspected he had found out, but hearing him say the words was shocking.
“Arnie—”
“Are you denying the affair?” he cut in.
Marissa’s shoulder sagged.
Arnie slowly shook his head. “Nothing you say can justify what you did. Nothing you say will make me feel any less disappointed. You’re one of my best matchmakers, Marissa, and I trusted you. Knowing you betrayed my trust and broke one of the cardinal rules of our company is unforgivable.”
“I didn’t set out to break the rules. Remember, I came to you and asked to be removed as his matchmaker.”
“Your violation of company policy is my fault?” he demanded.
“No, of course not,” she said in a small voice.
“Had I known you were attracted to him, I would have reassigned you or come up with another solution. But I had no idea. You never said a word, and you had a relationship with him though you knew it was wrong.”
Shame burned her stomach like acid. “I’m really sorry, Arnie. It just happened. Getting involved with him wasn’t planned.” The excuse sounded lame to her own ears, but resisting her attraction to Bruno had been as challenging as catching water in a sieve.
“What do you think I should do? What would you do if you were in my position?”
“I don’t know.”
