"Is their reason for firing you even legit? Do we have to hire you an employment lawyer?"

Trey asked me this question after I told him that I got fired from my job. I was going to be leaving for Kori's place shortly, but Trey was making dinner, and I decided to tell him what happened.

"I'm pretty sure it's legit. I broke a rule in the code of conduct. It's not worth it to get an employment lawyer."

Trey looked confused, "But Kori didn't get fired...?"

"There is no way they were going to fire Kori. She's an executive."

"But she still broke the same rule you did."

"I know," I sighed.

"Look, I'm not saying that I want Kori to get fired. Neither of you deserve it. But it's a bit of a double standard, that's all."

"I'm not disagreeing. I just know they wouldn't fire her. She's too valuable to the company."

"You're valuable, too," Trey looked at me.

"Thank you," I said to Trey, "It's a shame, I really liked working there. I'm definitely very upset. This could possibly impact me getting a job in the future as well."

"Just never put it on your resume," Trey said, and he then walked over to me and pulled me in for a hug, "I really am so sorry, Ash. You didn't deserve this at all."

"Thank you," I said to Trey, hugging him back.

On my drive to Kori's, my mind was cloudy with every thought possible.

What in the world am I going to do?

I'll have to find another job as soon as humanly possible.

Fuck this.

Kori greeted me at the door with a hug. Immediately, she pulled me in close and held me for a few moments. It was the comfort that I needed.

"I love you," Kori said as she hugged me, "We're going to figure this out."

I walked into Kori's a moment later and sat down on her couch. She joined me, and so did Chester.

Kori looked at me, "I feel fucking horrible about this. You shouldn't have been fired. If anything, I should've been. I was your higher up."

I looked back at Kori, "There's no way in hell that they were going to fire you. You're the CIO and you've been there for years. The company would basically be fucked without you."

"While you're not wrong that they would be fucked without me, it's completely messed up that they fired you and not me as well. I swear, I almost quit when I went back to talk to Jose again."

"Kori, you can't quit. No way," I said, "Not over me."

Kori held my gaze and said, "I know my job is very important. Obviously. But you've become more important to me, Ash."

Warmth spread through my chest as I said, "You are incredibly important to me, Kor. I love you, once again, you cannot quit the company because of me."

Kori sighed, "I know. I'm just not going to be very happy there."

I leaned against Kori and snuggled up to her, "Did Jose deal with your wrath?"

"He did, but I tried to not direct it to him too much. It wasn't his final decision. I'm going to talk to Daniel tomorrow. I'll be professional, but I'm going to let him know I'm not happy about this. Did you tell Grace? I know she's your friend."

"I called Grace and told her. She was really shocked. About us, and about me being fired."

"I would've loved to have seen her face when you told her," Kori said, "I'm sure she's upset. Lisa, on the other hand, can go fuck herself."

"Do you really think she was that mad that you're in a relationship that she had to go and tell Jose before you even got the chance to?"

"Apparently so. Lisa is a very petty person, I've always known that. She doesn't act her age, that's for sure. She probably got mad at how I spoke to her this morning."

"I can't believe that happened this morning. Today has felt like a million years."

"Tell me about it," Kori said to me, "Do you want a glass of wine? For me to order food? Anything for you."

"You know what I could go for right now?" I looked at Kori, "A milkshake. Ice cream always helps, right?"

Kori chuckled, "Historically, yes."

"Will you get a milkshake as well? I don't want to be the only one here," I smiled at Kori. That was the first time I'd smiled in hours probably.

"Of course I will," Kori nodded, "Mint chocolate chip is calling my name. There's an awesome place about 20 minutes called Owowcow. You down to try it?"

"I am," I nodded, "Let's go."

Kori drove us to the ice cream shop, playing some of her tunes on the way.

As she drove I said, "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"The time when you picked me up from Glow on Halloween...what were you really thinking?"

Kori glanced at me and said, "I was thinking about how hot you looked in that little red dress of yours and if you weren't my employee I would've taken you back to my place and had my way with you. Believe me, I really considered it."

I blushed as I said, "I wanted to kiss you. So badly."

"At that point, I probably wouldn't have stopped you."

I smiled at Kori, "I'm glad we're at where we are now. Think about it, I know today has been a clusterfuck, but at least we can be open about our relationship. We don't have to worry about seeing people from work if we go out. I can finally make that picture of you and I from the wedding my phone background."

"All good things. I want you to focus on the positive. Also, take my phone and make one of those pictures my background as well."

I smiled as I took Kori's phone and did as she asked.

We got to Owowcow, and Kori got a mint chocolate chip milkshake, and I got cookies and cream. It was a nice, not too chilly night in mid-April, so we were able to sit on a bench outside together.

"Are you feeling any better?" Kori asked me.

"Not sure how I can be sad with a milkshake in my hand," I joked, "But in all seriousness, I don't feel as bad as I did earlier. I just don't know what I'm going to do in terms of a job."

"And I assume you're not going to put Hollis on your resume," Kori looked at me.

"Unfortunately no," I said, "So all I have is being a nurse and being a part time server back in college. If they ask why there's a gap in my resume, I'll make up a dumb excuse."

"I can help you with your resume," Kori said to me, "I'll help you look for a job. I'm going to help you with anything you need, and I mean that. Even if you need some assistance financially during this time...I'm here."

"I appreciate that," I said to Kori, "Though I wouldn't want to ask you for any money."

"Well, I have it and I'm here," Kori reassured me. She then paused before asking, "Do you think you'd ever go back into nursing? You'd likely be able to get a job fast. And you wouldn't even have to work at a hospital, you could work remote even, like for an insurance company."

Right when Kori said "nursing" my stomach dropped. After what happened, the thought of going back to being a nurse in any capacity freaked me out.

"I don't think I could," I looked at Kori, "The thought of it kind of terrifies me. Though at the same time, I should probably get over what happened and-"

Kori shook her head, "No, don't say that. What happened to you was traumatic, and it's not something that you can easily just get over. Give yourself grace."

"You're right," I said softly, "I know you are. It's just...I felt like a failure when I stopped being a nurse. Now I feel like a failure for getting fired and not wanting to be a nurse again."

"You are not a failure," Kori said firmly, "In no capacity are you a failure. What happened to you back then with getting assaulted and what happened today are both unfortunate incidents, but no reflection on you. I don't want you to feel that way."

I smiled gently at Kori, "You always know what to say to make me feel better."

Kori gazed at me and said, "Well, that's what I'm here for."

As Kori drove us home, I was starting to feel better. That was until Addison texted me asking how it went telling HR about Kori and I.

I texted her back saying: As bad as it could've gone. I got fired.

Addison immediately called me, but I sent her to voicemail. I didn't feel like talking about it.

I texted her again: I'll call you about it tomorrow.

"You could've answered that," Kori said to me, "I don't mind."

"It was Addison, I texted her that I got fired. I'll talk to her about it tomorrow," I said, "I don't really want to rehash it right now."

"I understand," Kori said gently, "It's okay."

She then reached over and squeezed my knee in encouragement.

When we got back to Kori's, I asked her, "Can I stay over? I don't really want to be by myself."

"You don't even have to ask. Just tell me you're staying. You can borrow some of my clothes to wear. I don't think you want to sleep in jeans and a t-shirt."

Kori and I went to her bedroom, Chester following us.

As Kori went to her walk-in closet and picked out clothes for me to wear, I sat on her bed and pet Chester.

"You're such a good boy," I said to him, "Yes you are."

Chester looked at me happily as I pet him, and Kori emerged from her closet holding a red hoodie and comfy gray workout shorts. I slipped them on, and then got into bed next to Kori.

She turned on her side and propped her head up on her hand to look at me.

"Spend as much time as you want here while you're looking for a new job," Kori said to me, "If you want to come here during the day to get a change of scenery or hang with Chester, you're more than welcome. I'll give you a key."

I raised my eyebrows slightly, "You'll give me a key?"

"Absolutely," Kori nodded, "My place is your place."

I found myself saying, without even thinking, "Maybe one day we'll have our own place together."

Now it was Kori's turn to raise her eyebrows, "Is that so?"

Immediately I backtracked, "I-I'm not sure why I said that."

Kori laughed, "I'm just kidding! Of course I've thought about that. I'd be a fool not to. I love you."

"I love you too," I said to Kori.

No matter what happens, I'm lucky to have her.