Page 15 of Words We Didn't Say

This wasn’t right.

Mac slid the coffee mug along the desk, and the grateful smile Zach rewarded her with splintered my heart. I glared down at the takeout bag clutched so tight in my fist I could feel my nails biting into my skin. Spoiling Zach wasmyjob. I deserved that smile instead of the scraps of attention he tossed my way.

Zach turned back to his computer.

I took a step. Only one.

Mac made quite a production of taking off her suit jacket and tossing it over a chair. Her back arched, boobs straining the buttons of her silk blouse, as she stretched with an exaggerated yawn. Zach’s eyes didn’t leave the computer.

I slapped a hand over my mouth to muffle a giggle. This woman was ridiculous.

Mac frowned. Recalculating her game plan, she skimmed her fingers along the wood before perching on the edge of the desk. Nothing. She crossed her legs. When he still didn’t look up, she reached over and flipped his laptop shut.

“Hey!” Zach snapped. “What the f—”

“Forget about work tonight,” she said.

“I can’t—”

“If this is about the other night—”

“Don’t.”

“—I promise no crowds this time.”

This time?

My heart pounded louder. The corridor narrowed. The dark hung heavier. My next step faltered.

When were the other times?

Zach sagged in his chair. He watched the woman in his office with a cautious expression, his mouth opening like he was about to say something. He shook his head.

“It’d just be you and me,” she added. “My place. Like before.”

I struggled to force air into my lungs. What did these words mean? Old ghosts clawed too tight, too real, around my throat. I wanted to run, but my feet hovered on air, the world ripped out from under them. Was I watching the end of my relationship in real time? No, I had to be making too much of this. Zach wouldn’t cheat. Hewouldn’t.

Teeth buried in my lip, I darted my eyes between the scene in front of me and my phone. I tapped out a message to Zach and hit send.

Eden

Is it a wait-up night?

His phone pinged on the desk.

Please.My eyes begged Zach through the shadows.Please.

He didn’t pick it up.

I swayed, my knees forgetting how to keep me upright. It was a mistake. Yeah. Sometimes, it took a message or two to get his attention. He was busy. My eyes narrowed on the woman crowding his desk. Not busy with her. With work.

The next message was harder. My phone shook, fingers trembling as I fumbled over the screen.

Eden

I want to spoil you xoxo

I hit send.

---