Page 100 of My Office Rival

“I want another chance with her, and I need your help. I’m in love with her. I want her back. I’ll do anything.” My voice broke on the last words, and Margo sucked in a breath.

“Okay, I’ll bite. Against my better judgment, mind you. What do you need?”

“I need to know where she’s going to live in Texas. Can you help me?” I didn’t breathe while I waited for her answer. Was she relishing making me wait? Her typing while I waited said she was.

“Are you doingworkright now?”

“I’m actually just typing ‘fuck Jason Elliott’ over and over again while I make you squirm. Is it working?”

“Yes,” I bit out. “I can see why you and Cynthia are friends,” I muttered, and she strangled a laugh.

“Stop tormenting the poor bastard,” the man’s muffled voice interjected.

“Fine, I’ll email you the addresses. She has two showings. I’ll send the times too.”

“Send them now. Before you hang up. And believe me, I’m going to check if they’re real.” I was not letting her off the hook.

“You’re smarter than I thought.” She laughed. “Though your behavior indicates otherwise.”

A minute later, my email pinged. I typed the addresses into Google. Real. I slumped against the chair, adrenaline draining out of me.

“Thank you, Margo.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank my idiot boyfriend. He seems to have a soft spot for men with broken hearts.” I heard the man say “fuck,” and she laughed.

“Any advice for me?” I needed any ammunition I could get.

“Smart. Just because you asked…” She paused. “Be prepared to grovel.”

“I will.”

We hung up, and I scrubbed a hand over my face. The first showing was tomorrow at one p.m. I needed a plane ticket to Texas. I scrambled for my phone.

62

CYNTHIA

Icouldn’t believe this was happening. Everything had occurred so quickly. The offer, my notice, the showings. My rental car crunched over the potholed road leading to my hotel, and I shaded my eyes against the late afternoon sunshine. Winter in Texas was hot and I missed New York. The cherry blossoms would start blooming soon on Park Avenue as the city emerged from hibernation. Soon, the afternoons would lengthen and we would enjoy long walks home from dinner and drinks outdoors with friends.

But this spring would have been different, because I now knew what it was like to be part of a twosome. And I wanted more. Now, I understood why Margo and Andrew spent every waking second together. I had never been that aligned with someone, until Jason.

I imagined that I was driving back to our rental house in Booth. Jason would be at home, his shirt sleeves rolled up over those capable forearms, just getting dinner started. I’d open the door to a glass of wine and his breathtaking smile. My chest felt like it would cave in at the thought. Hadn’t I said he would be the perfect husband?And you let that go.No, he had chased me away.But what if walking away from him is the worst possible thing you could do?Hadn’t everyone in his life walked away? My breaths seized, and I pulled over.

Was thismyfault? No. I let my head drop onto the steering wheel. I was taking my dream job.Hewas the one who refused to change, who had laughed at me for thinking I was worth more than one night. But had he believed it? I chewed my lip. A tiny part of me thought maybe he didn’t. Maybe he was pushing me away before I could push him away.

He still refused to compromise, though. My words about his refusal to take one step toward me still held true.Or did they?My traitorous conscience whispered. What about the dinners he made you? The dates he took you on? The way he bared his soul? The way you connected in bed? I was pretty sure he didn’t cook for other women. And it sounded like I was the first woman since his girlfriend years ago to get more than one night, and a window into the things he liked in bed. I thought back to the way he’d held himself still when he’d told me about his desire to sub. He’d been so tense.And here I was, running.

I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Suddenly, I was certain that his words in the conference room had been bravado. What had he told me? That there were parts of him he didn’t let others see? He was the king of building walls, of putting on a mask. He’d lowered those walls for me, and then built them right back up again. My stomach bottomed out. This might be my fault.

Which meant Jason Elliott was worth another chance. If I hadn’t ruined everything.

Fuck. I put the car back in drive and drove to the motel. When I turned the key and pushed open the door to an empty room, I wished he were there to fill it. I fell asleep wishing he were with me in the bed, and I woke wishing he were there beside me doing our awkward bathroom dance. My chest ached every time I remembered his hot eyes and his intensity. Had I given up the very best thing to happen to me?Maybe, maybe.Every beat of my heart told me I would regret this forever.

I staredup at the apartment building. It was surprisingly modern, and the apartments appeared to be a decent size from the outside. The bushes flanking the entrance were well-maintained and there was lots of parking. I frowned at the reminder that I would be buying a car and driving it everywhere. Maybe I would have to start working out to make up for the missed walking. I shuddered.

The real estate agent was meeting me here, and I followed the directions to the apartment, keying in the code and proceeding to a shiny elevator. So far, it felt like a high-end hotel and my heart lifted.I can do this.

The door to 10L was ajar when I arrived.Weird.I didn’t want to barge in. And the agent wasn’t answering my texts. The New York City rental market was rife with shadiness, so I wasn’t shocked. Better luck next time. I sighed and turned to go. A noise came from inside the apartment.Maybe someone is here after all?

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