“That’s understandable.” Noah tapped his fingers on his desk. “I think we can allow that overlap, but you’re going to be playing with the big boys now.”
“I can handle it.” Claire's big smile returned.
“I’m sure you can,” Ziggy said.
Claire stared at her, and Ziggy found it almost comical because the expression on Claire’s face was one of disbelief and confusion. It was as if she thought Ziggy was going to stand up and excuse herself.
Claire turned her attention back to Noah. “I was hoping I’d be able to have a moment of your time alone. I have something I need to discuss with you.”
“Whatever you need to say, I’m sure you can say it in front of Ziggy.” Noah leaned forward, hands clasped together on the desk. “We have no secrets here. We’re a team.”
“It’s a bit of a touchy subject.” Claire fiddled with her thumb.
“I’m used to touchy in this business,” Ziggy said. “You’re in a safe space.”
“Um, well, I…” Claire glanced toward the ceiling, and it was such an obvious act. “I just thought you should know something.”
“I’m listening,” Noah said.
Claire leaned forward slightly, shifting her body, as if to block Ziggy.
Interesting move.
“I overheard a couple of the girls in the bullpen. One of them said you harassed her. She was speaking pretty loudly, so it was impossible not to hear what she was saying. She was pretty detailed about what happened.”
The words didn’t shock Ziggy. They were more like a well-placed needle filled with a slow-working drug.
“The woman said she’s taking it to HR,” Claire continued, pushing more of that drug right into Ziggy’s veins before she’d had a chance to adjust to the first dose. “That she has proof of what happened. Videos. Texts. Pictures.”
Ziggy had loved history, but the one thing she didn’t like about it was its tendency to repeat itself, and that was exactly what was happening here. Someone had used Monica to lay the groundwork.
Now, Claire sat in Noah’s office, layering more bricks onto the foundation.
Ziggy shifted her weight slightly in the chair, her fingers curling against the armrest as she noted the way Claire held herself—too composed for someone passing along gossip, too steady for someone who believed she was having a serious conversation.
Noah pushed his chair back and stood.
The action caught Ziggy off guard. Not because he did it, but because it was abrupt.
“Thanks for letting me know.” He opened the door.
Claire twisted in her chair, but she didn’t get it up. “Don’t you want to know who it was?”
“If you want to keep working on my team,” Noah said, “stay away from gossip.”
Ziggy couldn’t see Claire’s face, so she had no idea how she’d reacted, other than the big heaving breath she’d taken.
Noah’s lips twitched like he was trying not to smile.
“I wasn’t gossiping,” Claire said firmly. “Gossip would be spreading it around the office as if I’d been there and had witnessed it firsthand.” She pushed her hand out when Noah opened his mouth. “All I did was bring what was being said to your attention so you could handle it.”
“Alright. I accept that clarification.” Noah continued to hold the door wide. “But I believe the truth always comes out. Since it’s not true, I’m not worried, regardless of who said what.”
Claire stood, smoothing her skirt again, the motion quicker now, less controlled than when she’d first come in. She pausedfor just a second, like she might say something else, but instead, walked out into the hallway and quickly disappeared.
“That was fun.” Noah closed the door. “Not.”
Ziggy leaned back as she replayed it.