Page 74 of Reconciling With the Rival

I hang up the phone with him and start to gather all my shit, but movement across the hallway catches my eye.

Why is Imogen in Leo’s office?My alarm bells are ringing, but when she closes the door and sits across from Leo, it doesn't seem like work talk, but maybe it is?

I don't care. It doesn't concern me.

Ireallyhope I don’t get caught in traffic when I leave, but we’ll see. I stop by Rae’s office before I leave.

“I’m headed out for the day,” I tell her.

“How’s the proposal going? I feel like we’ve barely talked lately. The two of us have been so busy.”

I decide I can spare five minutes for her as I sit down in her very colorful office. “What’s been up with you?”

“Well, I heard Brad and John talking about Leo in the kitchen. Brody was there too. The three of them are so far up Leo’s ass. I think they’re going to recruit him to golf together.”

Oh, fuck. Of course Leo would get along with those fuckers. But I can’t imagine him playing golf. That seems more up Grant’s alley than his. “Is that right?”

“Yeah. TheyloveLeo, and I know you don’t, so maybe be careful about what you say around him at home. It could come back to bite you.”

“Well, that won’t be a problem. All Leo and I do is bicker at home, but he’ll be out of my hair soon enough.”

Rae smiles at me. “Good. Now, get home and enjoy your night. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“I’ll bring you a coffee tomorrow.” I say as I stand. “I think the both of us could use a nice drink to start our morning, don't you?”

“And this is why I love you.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, babe.”

And as I leave the office and head to my car, I notice I’m smiling for real the first time all day. Maybe life is looking up after all the shit thrown my way.

I can only hope.

“I am so readyfor tonight,” I say as I get home. Alissa’s already there, and when she meets me in our entryway with a glass of wine, I take a breath. “Have I told you lately how much I love you?”

“Yes, but it never hurts to hear it again.”

“I love you,” I say as I hang my coat up and take a big sip.

One of my favorite things Alissa and I do once a week is Tuesday nights. Wednesday nights are for book club, but Tuesdays are for Alissa and me to unwind. We have dinner together, and usually, the night ends with rewatching reality television shows we’ve seen a million times.

We’ve been doing this tradition for the entire time we’ve lived together. The both of us leave work early every single Tuesday, unless we have a deadline, and whoever gets home first decides what we’re eating.

“What’s on the plate for tonight?”

“Sushi I grabbed on the way home.”

I could cry where I’m standing. Sushi, wine, andVanderpump Rulesis my ideal way of spending my night. It’s like Alissa read my fucking mind.

I watch her put our food on plates, the spread making my mouth water as I queue up the episode we left off on. We’ve started our rewatch and finally reached the part where one of our favorite cast members has come back to the restaurant the cast works in.

“It just wasn’t the same without her,” Alissa says.

“Ugh, I couldn’t agree more. Hands down, the most quotable cast member in the history of the show. Oh turn it up,” I say, hitting Liss’ side, “This line is perfection.”

Alissa scrambles for the remote, turning it up, and we say the lines in perfect unison with our fave: “I’m not sure what I’ve done to you, but I’ll take a Pinot Grigio.”

We laugh into our wine glasses and continue catching up over dinner and our show. About halfway into our third episode, the front door opens, and in walks the third member of this household.

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