Page 92 of Love Off Course

“Ding! Ding! Ding! You’ve figured it out. Go get her.”

“It’s not that easy.”

He laughs. “Of course it’s not. That’s what makes it so worth it. Go fight for that girl becauseshedeserves it. She deserves to have you grovel and kiss her ass. You two are too right for each other. Don’t let her go or you’ll regret it until the day you die.”

I stareup at the massive building, trying like hell to find my nerve. What’s the worst that could happen? She could have moved on with David. Forget I exist. Slap me in the face and tell me I’m scum. Whatever happens, I won’t rest until I know I’ve tried. I’ve flown all the way to California because with each passing second, I realize I made a colossal mistake.

I let her go.

No, I forced her to leave.

Regardless of how it went down, I fucked up.

As the cloud of grief begins to dissipate, I grow more and more focused on the fact I messed up. Is it too late to fix?

I walk inside the fancy building and am instantly out of place in my jeans and T-shirt.

“Can I help you, sir?” the receptionist asks.

“I’m here for Sher.”

“Who?”

“Sheridan Reid.”

“Oh,” she says with a laugh. “Of course. The owner’s daughter.”

I give her a forced smile, trying not to seem impatient. “That’s the one.”

“She’s gone.”

“When will she back?” I pull out my phone and check the time. Surely her lunch will be over soon.

“Never.”

“What?”

“She quit.”

I blink several times in confusion. “Quit? How?”

“I don’t know the specifics, but she’s gone.”

“Is her father here?”

“He is. Let me see if he’s available.” She picks up the phone and dials. “Hi, Mark. Is Mr. Reid available for a meeting?” She pauses and then looks at me. “Can I tell him who’s asking?”

“Camilo Zaragoza.”

“Camilo Zaragoza. Oh. Certainly. I’ll send him up.” She hangs up and points to the elevators. “Top floor are the executive offices.”

I practically run to the elevator and then bounce on my toes as I wait for it to go to the top floor. As soon as I escape the confines of the elevator, I walk past several offices until I find the one labeled CEO.

“Mr. Reid,” I state, knocking on the door as I enter.

He sits at his desk, an expectant look on his face. Across from him is another man. David. My hackles rise, but I ignore him, focusing on Sheridan’s father.

“Camilo. Call me Randall.” He motions for me to sit beside the other guy. “This is David.”