Page 94 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“What do you mean, no? I have to leave.” She’s full of entitlement and audacity.

“There’s a lot going on and I’m helping Von tonight. You’re closing. I can’t cover for you, so you can’t leave early.” My steady voice hides my rage.

“But I can’t stay,” she repeats.

I bite back the snarky comment about what emergency she has this time, but I don’t have the patience for her lies today.

“Go ahead and leave now.” She’s elated, but then I say, “Consider this your last shift. You’re fired.”

“What?” she shrieks so loud I wince. “You can’t do that.”

“Yes, I can. You come in late and leave early three to four times a week.” For some reason I’ve felt lucky that she shows up at all.

She hisses and crosses her arms.

“You also lie about your emergencies and I’ve given you several second chances, but I’ve had enough. There are only so many times I can listen to you lie and today I can’t hear anymore. I’d rather you not be here than count on someone who’s untrustworthy.”

“This is bullshit.” She storms into the break room and grabs her bag.

It’s a relief to say the words I’ve been holding in. I should’ve done that weeks ago.

Movement catches my eye and a pale Jayce stands at the end of the hall by the backdoor with his hands in his pockets.

“Should I go?” he asks nervously.

It occurs to me that what I told my assistant applies to him.

I need time to figure out my emotions and how to move forward.

That thought rips the breath from my lungs. Alec has been saying the exact same thing to me and I’ve denied him. I thought I understood, but I ignored Alec’s pain and focused on our friendship.

Jayce waits patiently for my answer. “No.” I hold out my hand and he laces our fingers together as we walk to my office.

“I need your promise to do better. I can’t have you look at me like I’m fragile.” We’re worth fighting for.

Of all the things I’ve done in my life to ensure other people find love, I’m not giving up on Jayce. Or Emmet.

I will fight for the future we deserve.

He takes my face in his warm hands. “Baby Girl, I swear on my life, I will never lie or fail to tell you the truth again. You are so strong and I was a fool to act like you aren’t. I’ll earn your forgiveness every day for the rest of my life.”

We hug and it’s part of the hug I want. Emmet would complete us, ground us.

“Let’s not talk about us or Emmet right now. There are other things we can actually fix.” I rub my cheek over his pounding heart.

“Whatever you need. I’m here for you as long as you’ll have me.”

“I need to call an immigration lawyer and find out what the fuck happened to Von. We need to file more paperwork for him and make sure he complies with all the regulations. He can’t do anything right now. He’s a literal zombie.” I cluck my tongue as he scrolls through his phone.

“The team has an immigration lawyer on retainer. If he can’t help us, he’ll know who can,” he explains and puts his phone on speaker. “Should I do this here or in the breakroom?”

I throw my arms around him. “Here is fine. Where’s my passport?”

“Why?” Jayce’s finger hovers over his phone.

“Alec and I got passports the same day our senior year, dreaming of traveling the world. He’s going to need it to visit Von when he gets his shit together. I can’t remember the exact date, but it has to be valid three months after the day he plans to leave Sweden and it will be close.” We never traveled together, but at least I can submit his renewal if he needs it.

We’re interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. A man with a clipboard surveys the gallery with a critical eye and we walk over to him.

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