Page 42 of Exchange of Heart

‘I’d love to.’

My dress swished back and forth between my legs, which I’ll admit, I threw in front with more enthusiasm than needed. I’d found it surprisingly fun, the way my dress flew through the air with each step.

‘In here, thank you.’ The brunette turned into an office marked Human Resources.

My throat tightened as I tried to gulp the saliva pooling in my mouth. This wasn’t a good office to be in.

‘Is there a problem?’ I hesitated in the doorway.

‘Would you like to close the door and take a seat?’ She gestured to the hard wooden chair in front of her desk.

I didn’t know what Nora had done to land me here, but I knew how to display confidence and demand respect. My posture straightened, my chin lifted, and her tiny frame increased to take up more space like a territorial animal.

‘Miss Claremont, I must tell you, this is the reason I’ve been asked to speak to you.’ She gestured her hands around my body.

I took a step back, mouth open, and dropped my gaze to inspect myself. No buttons had popped open, no tears in my dress, no stains other than the faint brown coffee on my chest. Nothing. Was it my face? I twisted my head side to side, searching for a reflection anywhere.

‘Our company policy very clearly states we do not tolerate sexual advances in any form.’

My eyes widened until particles of air were fighting for a chance to drain the moisture from them. They became bone dry, until all of a sudden, they weren’t. My body snapped into recovery mode trying to lubricate them. I blinked in an attempt to coat them again, but the moisture rushed to the edge of my eyes like tears.

‘Oh, Nora, please don’t cry. We need to have a discussion, that’s all.’

I raised my palm to stop her mid-walk to me. ‘I’m not crying, I’m only surprised. I had no idea people thought I behaved that way.’

She held up a finger. ‘One person, but it means we need to go over the policy and make sure you understand what’s acceptable.’

My stomach twisted in suspicion. ‘One person?’

Freddie’s pursed lips and flaring nostrils came to mind. The intensity of his glare the third time I’d told him I didn’t have the capacity for his work as well as my own. His superiority shrinking under my unwavering response.

You need to kiss Freddie’s ass and pretend you enjoy it.

Shit. I was digging Nora into a hole she’d need to climb out of. Which would be really hard if she wore these ridiculous shoes again. I stretched my leg forward to glance at the heels I’d been stumbling around the office in all day.

‘Nora, you’re doing it again.’ The brunette raised her eyebrow at my outstretched leg.

All right. Action time. What would Nora do?

‘Argh. You’re right, and I don’t even realise when I’m doing it.’ My hand flew to my forehead with every dramatic flair I could muster.

I glanced at the name tag on her desk before reaching her confused and possibly concerned gaze. Was I portraying Nora wrong? There was one thing I was sure about Nora, she read books with ridiculous titles that told her how to live her life.

‘I read this fantastic book the other day about assertive communication.’

Maisy, apparently, raised her eyebrows in interest, then lowered herself back into her seat as I basked in relief. I wandered to the hard wooden chair and rested my ass on the uncomfortable base.

‘You see, it says to focus on the three Cs: confident, clear, controlled. Then there’s this other book I read about body confidence, and it suggested focusing on the way you hold your body. For example, I found myself constantly trying to fold my body in on itself, to make myself appear smaller. Like, I crammed myself into my desk so I wouldn’t get in anybody’s way. To be honest, it caused me to have stomach cramps. So, I’ve started widening my shoulders and straightening my posture. I’m so sorry if that came off any other way.’ I couldn’t believe the shit spewing from my mouth.

Maisy’s head bounced with agreement. ‘Of course. It’s all a misunderstanding. I thought it was so strange when Freddie said you were flaunting your breasts.’

I knew it was that bastard.

‘Don’t you worry about it, Nora. I’ll ensure this isn’t included in your work performance and make sure I state very clearly it was a misunderstanding. There’s no need to apologise for the space your body takes up. It’s as deserving as anyone else here. Men don’t really get it, do they?’

Women supporting women, that’s what Mum always rambled about at the dinner table. I’d exchanged smirks with my three brothers, and Dad had simply nodded along while imagining himself on a golf course. I’d have to tell her this story. Well, an altered version.

‘I won’t hold you up any longer,’ Maisy continued.