"When Asher brought you in, did he forget to mention that I'm the one who has the final say in this company?"
Winifred stood rooted to the spot, still processing.
I was already on the phone with the cleaning service.
"Sanchez Group, executive office. Clear out everything inside."
Asher knew better than anyone that I couldn't stand anything unclean. The moment something was soiled, I threw it away.
Then I turned and walked out.
I'd barely gotten back in the car when his call came through.
The name on the screen read "My Husband Who Loves Me Most." The irony sat like acid on my tongue.
The moment I picked up, his voice came through, cool and smooth, not a single note out of place.
"Babe, what made you send a cleaning crew to the office? Did the janitors not do a good enough job? Was something bothering you?"
His little secretary sure didn't waste any time running to him.
I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat and kept my voice perfectly even.
"I just felt like the things I'd left there had gotten old. Dirty. It was time to throw them out."
Asher swallowed audibly. His laugh came out stiff.
"Whatever my wife wants, my wife gets. I'm heading home soon. Love you."