Page 97 of My Office Rival

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. Maybe when I’m sober.” I would say something idiotic with this much whiskey in me.

We lay in silence for a minute, listening to the hisses and pops of the fireplace.

“What if you showed up in Texas?” Jonah blurted.

“Showed up, like at her door?” Miles sounded skeptical.

“You’re Mr. Romantic. Doesn’t that sound like a good idea? Something a weak-chinned idiot in a rom-com movie would do?” Jonah grumbled, and I huffed a laugh. Weak-chinned was such a Jonah thing to say.

“I don’t even know where she’s going to be.”

“So find out,” Jonah retorted.

Miles sprang up, nearly spilling the whiskey he had placed on the floor. His eyes were wild. “No, this will work. This is a good idea. Find out where she’s going to be, and then be there when she arrives.”

“So you’re saying I should stalk her?” I replied.

“Yes, that’s what we’re saying.” Jonah sounded so casual.

“I think the money is going to your heads.” I heaved myself off the couch to pour another drink and wobbled to the bar.

“You’re rich too, asshole.” That from Jonah.

“Focus, guys,” Miles cut in. He was pacing unsteadily. “Who do you know who can point you in her direction? She’s probably getting a new apartment or something.”

I frowned. “Margo.” At their questioning looks, I added, “Her best friend. They tell each other everything. And her contact information is public on the firm website.”

Miles looked uncertain. “You sure her best friend is going to help you out?”

I hadn’t thought of that. If Cynthia had told Margo half of thethings I had said, then it was just as likely she’d hang up on me the second I said my name. My stomach clenched. This had to work.

“Should I call her now?” I was desperate for any crumb of information.

“No,” they chorused.

“Take his phone away. He can’t be trusted,” Miles commanded Jonah.

Jonah stuck his palm out and made agive it heremotion. I sighed and passed him my phone.

“It’s for the best, dummy,” Miles said as he clapped me on the shoulder. “So what are you going to say when you see her?”

“I have no idea. You’re the ones who talked me into this stupid idea. I have no fucking clue how I’m going to get her back, just that I need to.” I sank onto the couch and ground the heel of my palm against my eye. “I’m too drunk for this.”

“We need to practice,” Miles retorted. “Besides, seven whiskeys deep is the only time you’ll ever get this asshole to entertain a conversation like this.” He jerked a thumb at Jonah, who just crossed his arms over his chest and raised a brow.

“Fuck, this is not how I wanted to spend my Friday,” I grumbled, before closing my eyes.What would she want to hear?More importantly,what did I need to say?I sucked in a breath. “Okay, how about this? Cynthia, I’m sorry, I’m in love with you and I was too fucked up and self-centered to realize it. I’ll do anything to make you mine, including moving to a godforsaken town in the middle of Texas. Please forgive me.” As I said the words, the rightness of them spread through me like warm honey. I pictured her smile, her soft eyes as I pulled her close. She would look into my eyes andsay them back.

I opened my eyes. Miles looked stunned. Jonah looked pissed, which was normal. They shared a look.

“Yeah, that’ll do just fine.”

60

CYNTHIA

“Are you taking these pots and pans?” my mom shouted from the kitchen. “If not, I’ll bring them to the church.”

“No way!” I yelled back from the depths of my closet, where I sat amid a pile of shoes. “You know I never use them.” Any cookware was basically a prop at this point.

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