Page 35 of Ansel

She put a hand on my cheek. “Partners, Ansel.”

I nodded. “Partners, baby.”

“Partners take care of each other.”

I hugged her then, so, so, so, fucking pleased that she gave me a chance to be with her, to grow and become a man I could be proud of.

We talked about my plans some more, and within a couple of weeks, I decided that it was time for me to leave Sterling. I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, whether to work at another company or do something else. What I did know was that I needed time to think, and that meant I had to quit my job and let my mind rest.

On the day I was to hand in my two-week notice, Neha decided we needed a morning quickie to relax me. I appreciated it very much, though I wasn’t sure how this was different from other morning quickies she or I hadinsistedupon.

“Call me as soon as it’s over.” She hovered as I got ready, anxious on my behalf.

“Baby, I won’t regret this. I’m ready. You don’t have to worry about it.”

She let out a long breath. “I know, but I’m concerned that you’re going to hate not working.”

“Did you?”

She shook her head. “No, Ilovedgetting enough sleep, having time to study, and not worrying about morning meetings and not bringing work home.”

“There you go.”

She kissed me. “I’m happy you’re doing this.”

Patrick, alas, wasn’t happy at all. He looked at me like I told him I planned to live off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness.

“Ansel,” he spoke slowly as if I was a wild animal he needed to soothe, "just to be clear—you’re leaving Sterling to…make cappuccinos?”

I shrugged, completely unbothered. “That’s just a temporary gig at a friend’s café. Patrick, I don’t know what I’m going to do next. But I do know it’s not this.”

Eleanor Monroe studied me as she tapped her nails on the table. “We don’t want to lose you.”

“I appreciate that.” I did. Sterling had been my life for years. It had given me a lot—money, status, experience. But it had also taken from me, made me a version of myself that I didn’t particularly like anymore.

Patrick ran a hand down his face. "Ansel, let’s talk about this?—"

“I’m sorry, Patrick, I’ve made my decision,” I cut him off.

Patrick exhaled heavily, like this was physically hurting him. "Fine. If you ever want to come back?—"

“Thank you.” I looked at Eleanor and then at Patrick with amusement. “You know, if you’re ever in Brooklyn, I hope you’ll let me make you a cappuccino, a latte, or”—I paused dramatically—“a masala chai.”

Eleanor laughed, shaking her head. “Well, if you’re out, you’re out. I hope you find what makes you happy, Ansel.”

I ran into Charlie in the hallway on my way back to my office.

He took one look at my expression and let out a low whistle. “Holy shit. You actually did it.”

“I told you I would.”

He shook his head, looking equal parts impressed and envious. “Man, I gotta say, you’re braver than me.”

That made me pause. “Charlie?—”

“I mean it.” He crossed his arms. “You’re walking away. From the money, the power, all of it. Because it didn’t align with your values anymore.”

I studied him, the way his jaw was set, the slight tightness in his shoulders. He wasn’t just talking about me. But he’d have to go on his own journey to get to where he wanted. “A man’s gotta do, what a man’s gotta do.”

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