Page 67 of Jealous Boss

You were supposed to protect her.

I should’ve moved the second that door closed. Should’ve gone after her. I didn’t.

I check her desk. Empty.

“Where is she?” I bark. Or maybe I croak it.

Maggie gives me a look I can’t even process right now.

After an eternity, she lifts her hand and points at the elevator.

I fly to it, but the elevator button won’t light up fast enough. When it opens, I shove past people, my throat aching like I’ve swallowed broken glass.

I’m not fit to drive. I know this. But fuck if I’m waiting around for my car service. The ride home is peppered with a dozen calls to Pia’s phone, all of which go unanswered.

Please God. Please.

As if he senses the urgency, Stanley is standing at the elevators, holding one open with concern—or maybe pity?—on his face.

I’ll thank him later.

I head straight to my place, hoping—praying—that she went back to the only home she’s had these past weeks. Mine. Praying my stupid rejection hasn’t broken us forever.

The apartment is still. And empty.

There’s a space on the bathroom counter where her toothbrush used to be.

The scarf I always wrapped around my hand to pull her in? Gone from the hook. Every sign of her—wiped clean.

I walk through the rooms like a ghost. And I panic.

Real, chest-tightening, gut-wrenching panic.

What if she left the building?

What if she went back to St. Lucia with Philip, distraught, thinking yet another person had abandoned her? Again.

“No.” The word is ripped from my tormented soul as I sprint out, taking the stairs down three at a time.

My heart is jackhammering by the time I reach her floor. I raise my fist and hammer on her door so hard the wood shakes.

Nothing.

Again.

Fuck. Pia. Baby, please.

Just as I raise my hand for a third time…the door cracks open.

And there she is.

Barefoot. Wrapped in a giant hoodie. Her face blotchy. Eyes red and swollen.

My heartcrushes.

“Pia—”

“What do you want?” Her voice is hoarse, flat. “Didn’t get a last word in at the office? Came to make sure you completely crushed me?”

---