Page 33 of Love Set Me Free

“How do I get her to see that?”

Nasir shook his head and took another sip of his drink.

“You probably won’t. Like I said, she’s hard headed. When she wants something, she fights for it, and if it doesn’t work out how she pictured it, she takes it hard, but she’ll have to get over it. If she can’t see the big picture, then you’ll have to work overtime to keep it in mind and stick to the shit so y’all can be happy in the long run.” Nasir clapped him on the back once again. “Welcome to manhood, bro. Dealing with women and carrying the world on our shoulders. Shit ain’t for the weak.”

Nasir raised his glass, and Kydrick clinked his glass to his, happily finishing off his drink to that.

Work dragged as Paisley tried to stay focused. She noticed that ever since Kydrick was released from prison, her passion for her career fell completely by the wayside.

She clicked around on her computer absentmindedly, giving the illusion that she was working. Really, her mind wandered to Kydrick and their last conversation. That had been two weeks ago, and she hadn’t seen him since.

The war that waged within her was excruciating. She understood Kydrick better than he probably realized. Everything was happening really fast for her, too, and she didn’t know how to navigate this new world where Kydrick was free. The difference between them was she wanted to lean into her feelings and desires, and he wanted to run away from them, which brought her to the flip side of this equation. She was pissed off. Not only with him but herself. Over the years, she formed her entire life to revolve around Kydrick and his needs. Now that he was out, she knew the pressure she put on him wastoo much, but how could she pull away? How could anyone ask her to all of a sudden stop fighting so hard for him? It was all she knew, but she understood the error in her ways.

With a deep sigh, she tried for the millionth time to get Kydrick out of her head. She desperately needed to find something new to focus on because Kydrick was out, and work no longer held any weight for her. In a matter of a couple of weeks, her life had turned upside down and not in a good way. She’d never been depressed before, probably because she always had a goal to strive for that kept her busy. Even after Kydrick was arrested, she never allowed depression to take over because getting him out was top priority. Now, she felt it tugging at her, trying to pull her under.

Tears welled in her eyes, but before any could fall, someone knocked on her office door before opening it. Steven poked his head into the room, causing Paisley to roll her watery eyes, wondering if the day could get any worse.

“How can I help you, Steven?”

He grinned at her, oblivious to the tears struggling to release from her eyes and unaware of the sadness that resided within the space.

“I came to invite you to dinner tonight. It’s been a few weeks, and my patience is running thin, Ms. Whitaker.”

Irritation swelled within her. Since Steven wanted to interrupt her sorting through her emotions, she decided he could be on the receiving end of her foul mood. Crossing her arms over her chest, she narrowed her eyes at him.

“I’m not going to dinner with you.”

His brow rose as he closed the door behind him and then leaned against it, mimicking her and crossing his arms over his chest.

“Fine. Lunch tomorrow, then.”

Paisley shook her head and then tiredly, as if she realized this fight was not one she really wanted a part in, she said, “I’m not going on a date with you period. It wouldn’t be fair to you. I’m not into you in the way you want me to be.”

“We had a deal, Paisley. You owe me a date.”

“I don’t care about a stupid deal. I’m not going on a date with you,” she snapped, some of that fire returning. Steven had a lot of nerve exploiting his employee for a date.

He stared at her in amusement for several moments before taking a step toward her, shoving his hands into the pockets of his slacks.

“Is that your final decision?” She nodded, standing her ground. Seven’s smile widened as he closed the rest of the distance to her desk. Leaning his hands down on the sleek surface, he muttered, “Then pack your shit and get out.”

Paisley reared back. “What?”

He straightened, smoothing down his tie. “You heard me. You’re of no use to me, so you can leave.”

“You’re firing me?”

His shit-eating grin made her sick. “I sure am.”

Paisley stood quickly with fire in her eyes. “You can’t do that. That’s illegal.”

“You don’t think I know that? The beauty in it is it’ll be my word against yours. You want to take me to court? Go ahead, but I personally know the judges in this jurisdiction. You’ll never win. It’ll be a waste of your time and money. I suggest you pack your shit quietly and go home to your convict without making a scene.”

He turned to walk out of the office without caring to hear her response, but when she shouted, “You’re such a bitch!” he turned to face her with his grin still on his face.

“Maybe, but at least I got a job.”

Tears streamed down her face as she watched him walk out of her office. She had been wrong. The day definitely could have gotten worse, and it did.

---