Page 186 of Revenge Puck

Tara’s face remains composed, but there’s the faintest softening around her eyes.

“You understand,” she continues, “that disclosure does not guarantee immunity from review.”

“Sure.”

“And you understand that if this relationship creates conflict of interest, it may require reassignment or structural adjustments for her.”

My chest tightens. “It might?”

I imagine Juliette packing up her desk because of me. Fielding whispers. Becoming office gossip.

Shit.

Tara folds her hands. “Mr. Bishop, you’re not the first athlete to disclose a workplace relationship. Nor will you be the last.”

That surprises me enough that I actually look straight into her eyes.

“We don’t punish people for honesty,” she continues. “We assess risk. Power imbalance. At this time, none of those factors suggest immediate action.”

The assistant nods once without looking up.

“Off the record,” Tara adds, giving her assistant the side-eye. “I am required to walk you through worst-case scenarios.”

I exhale slowly.

“I do not foresee this being an issue,” she says. “Provided it remains professional in the workplace.”

Professional.

My brain flashes to locker-room tension. To my conflicts with Declan, on and off the ice. To me throwing my helmet across a bench like a caveman. To Storm, having to mediate the two of us during a game.

“I can handle that,” I say.

Tara studies me for a long beat.

“We’ll have something for you to sign. Penny should have it drafted within the hour, and I can have those sent down.” Her smile is pleasant. “Is there anything else we can help you with?”

“No.” I pause. Remember my manners. “No, thank you.”

I rise.

Reach my hand out to shake Tara’s.

She takes it. “Thank you for coming in.”

“Yeah.” I shove my hands into my pockets. “Appreciate it.”

Penny saves whatever digital paper trail now exists tying my name to Juliette’s in neat, bullet-pointed documentation.

Done.

No fireworks. No lecture. No corporate hammer dropping.

I step back into the hallway, exhale through my nose, and check my phone out of habit.

Still nothing.

Which is fair.