Prologue

“Why are you so moody?” Dahlia Greene asked her boyfriend. He’d snapped at her twice already and she was getting sick of this. 

Shawn marched over to her office door and shut it with a loud firm click that echoed in her brain like her father’s words that it was time to move once again. “Don’t get testy with me in the office,” he hissed.

When she started to date Shawn months ago it never occurred to her that they couldn’t work together and have a romantic relationship. They were both CPAs for a large accounting firm. They never worked together on a project, as they were both managers. They might be in the same department, but it wasn’t a conflict in her eyes.

They didn’t even do the same job. She spent most of her time going out and auditing not-for-profits while he managed for-profit businesses. Even overseeing the daily accounting at some of those businesses.

Nothing the two of them did ever crossed paths.

Yet their office romance brought up more than one conflict in her life.

Like now when she was trying to work and he was in her office pacing. He was doing his best turtle impression trying to take the tip of her finger off as she held out some food. Just like he’d done for a few months now.

She was over this.

“You’re the one that walked in here and started to question me on things I don’t know anything about.”

“I just wanted to know if you’ve heard anything about Bob’s new promotion.”

Bob was her boss. They had a few in the department. He’d just been promoted to partner. That was her goal in life. But at just thirty, she knew she had some more work ahead. 

“Nothing,” she said. “Good for him. He deserves it.” 

And she hoped that meant there was a chance she’d get promoted into his position too. In her core group, she was next in line, but that didn’t mean someone from another group might not bump her.

She hoped not but had seen it happen. More so because she’d heard the rumors that she wasn’t always all that warm and friendly.

She wanted to know where in life it said you had to kiss someone’s butt to do a good job.

She was professional and respected by all her clients and even her coworkers. Just because she didn’t want to go out after hours to drink with people when they asked didn’t mean she wasn’t soft and fuzzy.

If she were married with kids no one would bat an eye at her turning down invitations. But because she was single—even though she was dating Shawn—it’s like she was expected to socialize more to move up. Why? 

The double standard always got to her too.

Like the double standard she had growing up and living in different countries. The boys had more freedom than the girls.

She was the one who didn’t fight it, just accepted and moved on. It was easier that way.

“I heard he’s going to be put in charge of my core group and that Tiffany was moving to another division,” Shawn said.

Dahlia shrugged. “No clue,” she said. “Partners move around and oversee multiple divisions. You know that. They always do. What’s the big deal? I thought you liked Bob.”

“He’s a do-gooder,” Shawn said sarcastically.

“I find him thorough. I think he’s going to do a great job. If that is the only reason you came in here, I’ve got work to do.”

“I’ll be at your house at six tonight for dinner. What are you making?” If he wasn’t asking her to pick up the tab when they were out to eat, then he was expecting her to cook for him.

She raised her eyebrows at him. He didn’t ask. They didn’t live together. She had no intention of living with him.

If he kept up this attitude of talking down to her, snapping at her, making assumptions and putting her in the slot of a woman who had to have his dinner on the table, they weren’t going to be together much longer.

“I’m not sure I’ll be home by six,” she said. “I’ve got to finish a few things here.”

“Bring it home with you. I’m in the mood for something light. Chicken is good.”

She crossed her arms. “Then you can pick it up and cook it,” she said. “I don’t know what I’m doing yet.”

“Fine,” Shawn said. “We’ll do it tomorrow. I’ll go out with the guys tonight.”

“Works for me,” she said. He’d mooch a meal off his friends, she was sure.

“You know,” he said, opening the door, “you could be a little nicer to me when I’m under stress.”

He’d been doing that crap more and more lately. Blaming her and doing it where others could hear, making her out to be the villain.

It wouldn’t help her chances at the promotion.

She ground her teeth but refused to say anything back.

When there was a knock in her doorway, she looked up to see Lori standing there. One of the new accountants that she supervised.

“Can I help you with something?” she asked.

“I should mind my own business,” Lori said. “But I can’t help it. You’re so good at your job and never say anything bad about anything or anyone. Why do you let him talk to you that way?”

Dahlia let out a sigh. Shawn’s voice had gotten loud, but she’d learned to not tell him to lower it or he’d get even more upset. 

If other people were seeing this, it wouldn’t bode well either. They could think she was a punching bag and that might be worse in her eyes than being looked at as not outgoing or unwelcoming to clients.

She was starting to wonder if Shawn was sabotaging her career and didn’t know why that might be.

“Sometimes we need other people to point out what is obvious. The truth is, I don’t know.”

“I’m sorry,” Lori said. “I’ll stay out of it.”

“No,” she said. “I’m glad you said something.”

When Dahlia was alone she put her head down and wondered how she fell victim to a relationship like this when she’d sworn she would never follow a man or be talked down to. She’d stand on her own and make the decisions that worked for her and no one else.

Yet here she was, not listening to herself.