Page 59 of It Happened Again

What was I saying? What would be the point of me attending the event at all? Nope, I'll go home, whine to Sophie over a bottle of wine, and ball my eyes out while writing my resignation letter. There's no way I could continue to work for Orion now. Even if Julian left or got fired, how could I trust the rest of the leadership there if they were really using me to get in good with the Buchanans? They all ready had an entire wing donated from the family, what more could Orion need?

Lacey came around the desk slowly. She didn’t sit, but she hovered close, unsure, and held out a box of tissues. I took them.

"Thanks," I sniffled.

"Do you want some water? Tea?"

I shook my head, burying my face in my hands for a moment before speaking again. "I was stupid to think I could handle all of this. Orion, Julian, this ridiculous presentation. And Brooks—God, I thought we were finally…" I hesitated.

Lacey sat beside me. A peek into her face and it actually appeared like she felt sorry for me, like she was being nice.

I dabbed at my tears and nose. "I know I'm not making any sense. It's all so confusing. Tonight was supposed to be my time to shine. I wasn't seeking fame or fortune, justfuckingrecognition for all of my hard work. I'm just a small town girl, with simple needs, but I guess that was too much to ask for in thisstupidcity."

I lashed out and cried more, and she cringed. "I don't mean to yell at you, Lacey. More like I'm upset at the eight millionfaceless people out on the streets of New York, all vying to get ahead, willing to do anything and run over each other for success."

"I know what it feels like," she said softly. "To work your ass off. To do everything right. And still feel invisible. Or worse—used."

I looked at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her voice.

"You?" I asked.

She gave a small, bitter smile. "I came to this city fresh out of Texas, bright-eyed and ready to conquer everything. Got a business degree, interned at all the right places. And still—still—I’ve had to work twice as hard just to be seen."

I nodded slowly. "So when someone sees you… it means everything. Brooks saw me. And I pushed him away."

Her gaze flicked away. "Yeah. And when hedoesn’tsee you? It wrecks you." She spoke like a woman of experience.

I sucked in a breath. "Are you talking about Archer?"

She didn’t confirm or deny. Just offered a sad shrug, lips pressed tightly together.

"I've known him for some time. He really is a good guy. I think he's just lonely and goes about it the wrong way trying to find someone to love him. Don't give up on him," I encouraged and reached a hand to cover hers, briefly before retracting it.

"But he doesn’t seeme," she whispered. "Not really."

Silence lingered between us for a beat, then we both sighed, long drawn out ones, that had us both eyeing each other and chuckling.

"Nothing like a good cry to relieve stress," I commented, laughing inwardly.

"You know," she said after a moment, "I never expected to like you." Maybe given time, if Brooks and I worked out, she and I could become friendlier.

I huffed a laugh, wiping a tear from under my eye. "You made that pretty clear."

"Yeah," she said, wincing. "I had all these ideas about who you were. What you’d be like. But you’re… more. Smarter. Stronger. We're a lot alike, and I get it now."

I gave her a watery smile. "Thanks. I think."

She stood and walked back to her desk. She paused, fingers resting on her phone. For a moment, I thought that was it. Commiserating finished. But then she picked it up and placed a call.

"Brooks? Lacey here. There's been an emergency at the office. Come quickly... No, I don't have time to explain. Hurry, and bring Archer, too."

She hung up and regarded me. For a moment, we were two women coming to an understanding about the world.

"I lied," she said.

My heart stopped, forehead creased trying to understand. "Brooks’ was not in Jersey?"

She finally turned, eyes shining—not with tears, but something like resolve. Or maybe redemption?

---