Page 98 of My Office Rival

I held up a pair of red Manolos that I barely wore and frowned. Margo might like them. I tossed them on the donate pile. Jimmy Choos with the rhinestone strap? Too high to walk in for long, but I’d be doing plenty of driving there. I shuddered and tossed them on thekeeppile.

“What about these candles?” my mom shouted again.

“Toss ‘em! We need to be ruthless, remember?”

“But you’re coming back in a year, right, sweetie?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “I hope so.” My eyes heated.

My mom wandered in just as I was wiping at them and feeling like a fool. I looked up at her, vision blurry.

“You’re coming back, right?” she asked again.

“I want to.”

“Oh, sweetie, what’s wrong? Come sit with me.” She sank downonto the bed and patted next to her. I crawled out of the closet and sat, embarrassed that my mom had found me crying in the closet.

“Are you going to miss the shoes that much?” she asked, and I let out a quiet huff of laughter.

“I just feel…guilty.” I swallowed.

She rubbed my back. “Why? You said you’ve wanted this job for a long time.”

“Because I’m leaving you and Dad. Right when he needs me the most,” I said miserably.

“We’re grown adults, don’t forget. And did you expect to live in New York forever?” she chided gently, smiling at me.

“I did,” I responded. “I love New York.”

“So you’ll be back. It will be waiting for you. We will be waiting for you.”

“But about the money? Dad’s surgery?”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll be okay. You know we managed before you were born, right?” She bumped my shoulder, and I smiled. They just seemed so much older now, and it was so hard for me to let go of the role I had played for the last five years.

“Thanks, Mom,” I responded, my voice breaking.

“So when youare your renters coming again?” Margo asked. We were eating takeout off the coffee table and drinking white wine she’d brought.

“End of the month, so right around my lease start date in Texas,” I replied and tore a piece of pizza off my slice. I was renting my apartment for a year while I was in the temporary role. Gone were the days when I would have paid a mortgage and rent on a Texas place. Now, I was budgeting and preparing to cook most of my meals instead of getting takeout. I knew I was in for a rude awakening, as Devon had so gleefully reminded me.

“Have you found any good places? I wish I could come to the viewings with you.” She frowned and took a huge bite of her slice.

“You’re such a lady,” I teased, and she grinned around her full mouth. “And a few. I’ll send you the listings. I’m seeing an apartment and a few houses next week.”

“Oooh, houses. I’m jealous. With outdoor space?” She sighed.

“The New York dream. And yes, one has a huge patio and a grill, I think. Not that I know how to grill.”I bet Jason does.

“Maybe some of those Texas boys can help you out.” She wagged her eyebrows, and I groaned.

“I can’t even think about that.” I was still too raw, my emotions scraped out and left to harden.

“Still pining for the Closer?” she asked, trying to make light, even though her face was grim.

“Sadly, yes.” I took a huge gulp of my wine. “I saw him yesterday at the office.”

Margo sat up straighter at my words. “And?”

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