Page 43 of Reconciling With the Rival

The elevator dings on the tenth floor, and before I can register what I’m doing, I grab him by his tie and yank him up so he’s standing. Well, the best I can. The fucker is way taller than me, and those muscles of his don’t fucking help either.

Not that I noticed them or anything.

A few people enter as Leo and I move to the back of the elevator. We’re standing side by side for three more floors, and it’s already way too fucking cramped in here.

“Since we’re going to be living and working together, we need to be civil,” I say, almost under my breath, since I don’t want these random fucking people to hear my conversation.

I can feel his shoulders tense. “I can be civil if you can. That means no more pranks.”

“And when you move in, you’re not allowed to talk to me about anything work related. And don’t ask me about the project we’re competing over.”

“Fine. But the same goes for you.”

“I know. That’s why I mentioned it.”

“Good; you’re listening already.” The elevator dings, and the doors open to our office as Leo grabs his briefcase and steps out in front of me.

I rush to get out, the doors almost closing on me, but as I get into the reception area, he’s smiling at me.

“That wasn't very civil of you.”

“You’re a strong and independent woman, Ella. You don’t need men beneath you to hold doors open for you.”

I cock my head at him. “So you agree? You’re beneath me?”

“Not yet, but I do remember what it felt like, as I’m sure you do.”Is he ever going to stop bringing that up?He grabs the door to our office and holds it open. “Ladies first.”

“Fuck off,” is all I say as I walk into the office, my heels clicking as I feel him trail behind me.

15

Forgiveness, Not Permission

Two Days Later

“You can put thoseright over there,” I say to the movers I hired to do all the heavy lifting. My sister offered to help pack up all my shit, but since she’s already doing me a favor by letting me move in, I didn't want to impose anything else on her.

Tonight is officially my very first night here. I thought about getting some sort of alarm in case Ella tries to smother me in my sleep but decided against it. If she comes into my room and tries anything, she’ll have to bear the consequences.

Even though this isn't ideal, and I definitely could’ve asked my parents for help, I didn't want to impose. I’m a grown man, and with all the medical shit my dad has been going through, I didn't want to ask.

It’s bad enough he has barely been working, but I feel weird asking my parents for anything with all we’ve had going on.

I should call them later.

Maybe Alissa and I can ring them after dinner. That’s the one thing I’m going to like being around here—Alissa and I can talk to our parents at the same time. I feel so out of the loop lately, since I’ve been adjusting to the job, my living situation, and dealing with a certain pain in my arse at work, that I barely know anything about the appointments they’ve been at. Is my dad healing okay? Is he on the right track, or could this happen again and end worse?

I feel like I’ve been nothing but a huge letdown lately, and that stops now. Since I finally have a place to call home for now, I’m going to be better about being in the loop on things.

I’m okay with being a lot of things to different people, but the one thing I hope I never am is a terrible son. Not after all my parents have done for me. Not after what happened.

My dad’s health issues have certainly been a wakeup call for me; it allowed me to slow the fuck down and remember what really matters in life. But nothing helps the guilt that creeps in when I feel like I could be doing more.

My spiral is broken when one of the movers talks to me. “That was the last box.”

“Thank you for the help.” I paid them beforehand, but I take a hundred out and tip them.

“No problem, man. Have a good day.”

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