Page 36 of Reconciling With the Rival

“Can I help you with something, Miss Williams?”

“No, Mr. Zimmerman. I just want you to watch your back,” she leans in closer to me, “because I’m coming for you. Consider this your only warning.”

“Don’t worry.” I lean down to her ear. “I’ve seen you come for me before, and the sight was astonishing, so I’m not worried, darling.”

And then I head back into my office and close my door.

A few hours into working on my proposal, I step out of my office to grab some lunch from the kitchen, and my phone buzzes.

Grant: Hey man, you up for drinks tonight?

Leo: Yeah, that sounds good. Just us?

Grant: Oliver might come too. Is that okay?

Leo: Birthday boy?

Grant: Yup.

Leo: That’s fine. Just let me know where to be and when.

Grant: Will do. See you later.

Leo liked a message.

I guess my night just got a lot more interesting. Hopefully, tonight, I can pick someone up, because between this thing with Ella, the contract for the publishing house, and everything else, I need to relieve some stress.

And I might as well have some fun while doing so.

“Dude, don't embarrass mein front of—” Grant stops what he was saying as he notices me. “Leo! Hey! What’s up, man?”

I sit down next to him at the small table with Oliver, and Grant slides a drink over to me.

“I remembered what you preferred,” he tells me.

“Thanks. This is so needed after the crappy week I’ve had.”

“Too much time spent with Ella, huh?” Oliver asks me.

I forgot these two run in the same social circle. I wonder what she told them about me. I doubt it’s anything good. “You could say that.”

“Yeah, she’s scary until you get to know her. She’s a good person to have around. If you’re on her good side, at least.”

I look at Grant as if he’s speaking a different language. “I’m pretty sure I’m the only person on her bad side, then.”

I take a long sip of my drink, the alcohol hopefully loosening some of the tension I’ve felt the past few weeks.

“It can’t bethatbad at work. Ella thought about quitting before, and she hasn't yet, so you two must be getting along, right?”

“Grant, stop asking about her. I told you he wouldn’t answer any of your questions,” Oliver says to him rather sharply.

“I want to hear both sides of the story!” Grant pauses to take a sip. “I’ve tried talking to her, and she’s as closed off about you as you are about her.”

“Because they have a history, asshole,” Oliver tells him, and he’s right. Damn, does Ella talk about me that much, or are these two just smart?

Grant and I have slowly become friends. I knew about him from Liam, since they were both on the hockey team together, and when we were formally introduced at Oliver’s party last year, I liked him. He’s fun, and he’s got a good energy, which is exactly the opposite of Oliver.

I don’t know him that well, but I’m pretty sure they’re connected through their girlfriends, who are members of Ella’s book club.

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