Page 119 of Melted by a Man

“I think you do,” Samuel said, “But take some more time until you figure it out yourself. Bye, Jacqueline.” Then, the phone was tugged out of Marco’s hand before the call ended.

Crap.

A few seconds later my phone vibrated in my hand, and I tapped on the notification with greedy fingers, hoping it was something sweet and funny from Leo even though I was dreading seeing him in person today.

But no, it was an email.

From Vincent.

The subject line said, “You’re still a fucking bitch” and nothing else.

So, I tapped on his email address and blocked it. Just like I had blocked his number and social media accounts, pushing my childish ex to the back of my mind.

I didn’t care about the random jump-scare his name in my inbox should have invoked in me.

I didn’t care if Sun Steer employees whispered how much of an ice queen I was.

I cared about how Leo was doing right now. What he expected of me. What I wanted, which the more I thought about it, felt terrifying to ask for.

I huffed a breath, scraping my hands over my face, before setting a fifteen-minute timer on my phone.

I lay my forehead down on my kitchen counter, forcing myself to sit with my emotions.

Because in fifteen minutes, I would gather myself and force my feet to take me to work.

* * *

“I…think I need help.”My voice shook as I stood in front of Signe Lange’s desk.

Signe raised a dark red eyebrow, “Why do I have the feeling that this isn’t work-related?”

I tucked my lips in between my teeth before replying, “Because it’s not.”

Signe immediately perked up.

“Oh,” she wiggled her eyebrows while steepling her hands, drumming her fingertips against each other, “What do you need help with? Did you fall for a pyramid scheme?”

I shook my head, “I think I fell for a person, and I don’t know what to do about it.”

Her jaw dropped before her hazel eyes shifted to stare at someone behind me.

No, no, no.

But thankfully, when I turned around, it was Nicole standing there. Her bag was slung over her shoulder, and her oversized jeans hung low on her hips underneath her hoodie.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop—” Nicole shook her head, her black hair swaying with the movement, “I just…I…” she gnawed on her lips while her dark eyes dropped to the ground, “Nevermind, this is clearly a bad time.”

“What is it?” I asked, stepping aside so Signe could get a good look at her, too.

“I was—god, this sounds so frivolous right now.” Nicole shook her head again.

“Spit it out, Young,” Signe smiled with the words, making them sound more encouraging and less demanding.

Nicole looked up, her gaze bouncing between the two of us, “Violet said that you all were planning on having a girls’ night this week.”

It was true, I got the text from Signe last week, but I hadn’t officially RSVP’d. I haven’t gone to one in months.

“Yeah, they are,” I nodded, throwing a smile toward the CFO of Sun Steer, before turning to Signe, “I think I’d appreciate everyone’s help with this.” I drummed my fingers on Signe’s desk.

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