Page 134 of Tobias

He huffs out a laugh. “Not a fucking clue. Just making guesses over here. The shit with your family, now him.” He moves off my side to grab a beer from the table. I assume it’s his, but who knows? He's known for stealing people's drinks. “But by the look on your face, I’m pretty damn close.” He winks before taking off to the bar. I watch as he goes, and that’s when Pete comes out carrying a pizza, his eyes meeting mine.

I get up to get it, bring it back to the table, then go back for the second. He tells me the others will be done soon. He was smart for doing the pineapple and meat first, this way there is a selection. The guys get to eating, but all I can do is stare at my phone. Before I know it, my cup is empty, and I’m getting another drink. I’m two sips in when I decide to text him back.

Chapter Fifty-One

Theodore

My hands tremble as I hold my cell, staring at the text Tobias sent me.

I miss you too, but I’m not ready to talk.

It’s progress. Fuck, it’s progress! Or maybe he’s just drunk, considering it was nearly one in the morning when he sent it. Still, there has to be some truth behind it if he was drunk, right? Isn’t that what they say? People are too honest when they’re drunk or something like that.

Should I respond? Of course I should respond. But what do I say? I could go with a joke? That’s a bad idea. Something serious then? Fuck, this shouldn’t be so difficult. Talking to Tobias was never hard, except for those first few moments when I saw him. It didn’t take long for me to get comfortable with him.

After all that’s happened, I need to show him that he can trust me and that I will be honest with him. So, honesty it is.

I understand, and I don’t want to be pushy, but I won’t stop trying.

My heart jumps out of my throat when I see the bubbles dancing on the text. He’s staring at our text, right this very second, just like I am. It’s almost like he’s here with me. Almost? No, not even fucking close. If he were here with me, I wouldn’t be looking at my stupid phone. I’d be looking at him. Touching him, unable to keep my hands off him.

When the bubbles disappear and I don’t get a text, I put my phone down and go take a shower. I can’t be mad at him over not answering, and I guess what I’m feeling isn’t anger. It’s disappointment. I have to be patient.

The house sounds empty. Asher and Morgan must be out, maybe at work. Morgan doesn’t usually work so early, but I don’t make a habit of asking where she’s going because it’s none of my business.

I’m supposed to meet with Marianne’s father today, and though I said I would, I’m not so sure I want to. I appreciate the job offer, but also… he’s only doing it because Marianne begged him. The guy hates me. He’s pissed at me for calling off the wedding, convinced that Marianne is only agreeing to make me happy and that she’s heartbroken. He won’t accept the fact that his daughter has a mind of her own. Still, he’s taking it better than my own father. At least he hasn’t disowned his daughter and ripped everything she’s ever known away from her.

I’m not in a position to turn my nose up at a job, but I know when my father finds out, he’ll be pissed. So if I take this job, financially I’ll be doing better, but it’ll make things worse with my family. When I left my parents’ house that night, I decided I wasn’t going to make decisions about my lifeforthem anymore. Everything I choose is for me.

As far as I know, our families haven’t spoken since then. I don’t know what’s going on with them partnering together and if it’s still happening or not. I shouldn’t worry about that. What I should worry about is myself and coming up with more ideas to win Tobias back. That is all I care about.

“Thank you for meeting with me, Mr. Dumonte. I know you have a busy schedule,” I say once I take a seat in his office. He looks up at me, eyes narrowing slightly.

“I am a very busy man,” he says. “And if anyone else had asked me to do this, the answer would be no.”

“I understand,” I say with a firm nod. “We can make this quick.”

He grunts an inaudible sound, getting up to go to the cart in the corner to pour himself a drink. He comes back withoutone for me. I understand what he’s doing here, asserting his dominance. It’s fine, I can handle it. If this is going to give me a job, I’ll do whatever he needs.

“What qualifies you to work here? Other than Marianne’s insistence, of course.”

I clear my throat. “Uhm, well, that’s hard to explain. I guess I have experience with a little bit of everything, just as a COO would.”

“So, meetings, proposals, putting out fires?” He sips his drink.

“Basically, yes.”

“Have you ever managed to hold down a job for a long period of time or is commitment an ongoing struggle?” he asks.

I blink at him, unsure if he actually wants me to answer that or not. I expected insults and passive-aggressive comments, I just didn’t prepare myself on how to respond to them.

“I can assure you that commitment is not an issue for me, Mr. Dumonte.”

He leans back in his chair, taking a sip of his drink before saying, “Okay, and what do you think your greatest strength is, aside from disappointing people?"

I hold my breath as I think of how to answer this one. I can’t let this man walk all over me during this interview. I don’t think that’s what he wants.

“With all due respect, Mr. Dumonte, Marianne and I were very clear that calling off the wedding was a mutual decision.”His brows shoot to his hair line. “I’m sorry that you’re upset about it, and I’m sorry it didn’t work out. But Marianne believes in me, we’re still friends, and if you trust her, then you should trust me too.”

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