"I'm not asking for permission."
The next morning, I walked back into Meridian in the same navy suit I had worn to Rose's funeral.
The receptionist froze when she saw me. Before she could say a word, Richard's office door opened.
"Bennett," he said, smiling too quickly. "What a surprise."
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I stepped inside and shut the door behind me.
His office still smelled like cedar and expensive cologne. He sat down slowly, the way men do when they're trying to project calm they don't feel.
"What can I do for you?" he asked.
I set the patent filing on his desk.
"You can start by telling me why my work has your name on it."
His eyes dropped to the paper.
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He didn't even pretend to be shocked.
Instead, he leaned back and exhaled through his nose. "I was wondering when this might come up."
Something in me went cold.
