Page 89 of My Office Rival

“Enter,” he said, before looking up from his document and blinking owlishly. “Oh, hi, Cynthia.”

I smoothed my palms down my skirt and dropped into the chair across from him. Gerald always made me a little nervous. He looked like a kindly old grandfather, but his blood was roughly half gin at any given time, and he didn’t suffer fools.

“I’m giving notice.” The words came out in a rush. His expressiondarkened. “I’ve taken a position doingpro bonoimmigration work.” I didn’t want him to think I was going to a competitor.

For a moment, he was silent, and then he rubbed a hand over his face, looking exhausted. “I have to say, I’m sad to see you go.”

“I—thank you, Gerald.” His reaction was unexpected.

“I know you haven’t exactly found your place here, not in the way Margo did, and I regret that. You’re an incredibly talented lawyer, and I hope you’ll enjoy the work you’ll do at your new job.” He folded his hands across his belly. “I wanted to dopro bonowork at one point, and part of me still wishes I had. Good for you for chasing your dreams.”

I sat, stunned. My eyes prickled with unshed tears. “That means a lot. I’m really excited.” I got up, knowing he preferred to keep conversations short and to the point.

As I turned to go, my throat tight, he said, “Cynthia, I want you to know it would have been you over Brett. And if you ever want to come back, our door will always be open to you.”

I thanked him and scurried back to my office. I felt lighter, free. I grabbed my phone to text Jason and stopped short. My stomach dipped. There would be no texting Jason. There would be nothing with Jason. My hand clenched around the phone. I couldn’t get rid of him. I thought about him every day. And for the last three nights, when I went to sleep, I imagined his strong arm banding me to him, with just enough force to let me know he needed the closeness as much, or more, than I did. I pictured his perfect body moving over me, and the way he called me “sweetheart” in the heat of the moment.

I took a deep breath and sent Margo a message instead.

Cynthia

I did it!

Margo

YES. Drinks?

I met Margo at our favorite downtown dive, the one where we had spent many late nights, and even one Christmas Eve. She was freshfrom the office, in her favorite work outfit—black suit, black loafers, black tank top, all of which looked killer on her with her dark eyes and dark hair. She looked so content now, even on the days she was tired and sick of trying to reel in new clients. Andrew had done that. The man had been odious for years, but I could admit that his love for her was the best thing about him.

“Hey there!” She leaped up and gave me a hug, a huge grin on her face. “I got us shots. We need to celebrate.”

“That sounds amazing. I need to get into the celebrating spirit.” I swung my leg over the stool. We clinked glasses and drank. The tequila burned, and I sputtered.

“Did you get the cheapest possible one?” My eyes watered.

Margo slapped me on the back, grinning like an idiot. “They only stock cheap tequila here, or don’t you remember?”

“I guess I forgot.”

“No more fancy shit for you. You’re going to be a small-town lawyer,” she crowed.

“I can’t believe it,” I muttered. “I need another shot.”

She signaled for another and bumped me with her shoulder. “Why so sad? Did Gerald yell at you when you gave notice?”

“Not even. I was shocked. He told me he regretted not doingpro bonowork and that I could always come back to the firm. He said I would have made partner over Brett. Honestly, I was touched.” Even repeating the story made me emotional.

“Wow, that’s unexpected. Andsweet.” Margo shook her head. “The thought of Gerald being sweet does drive me to drink.”

We took another shot and the burning in my chest as I swallowed dulled the other ache that had been near constant since that night at Jason’s apartment.

“You miss him, don’t you?” Margo’s voice was soft.

“I do.” My throat tightened as she pulled me in for a side hug.

“I’m sorry, babe. Have you talked to him since you left?”

I shook my head. “I’ve started and then deleted a hundred messages. What is there to say?”

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