Page 99 of My Office Rival

“And…it was terrible.” I winced. “I’m an idiot. I thought he would, I don’t know, be happy to see me? Or something?” I loosed a sigh. “Instead, he was just as cold as ever.”

“Ouch,” Margo murmured.

“The partners left us alone, and it was…awful.”You thought this was different? Don’t kid yourself.My throat tightened.

“Awful, how?” Her brows drew lower as she studied me. “Do I need to rough him up? I’m sure we’ll be doing a deal again.”

“Just…” I heaved a sigh. “I feel like I can never have it all, and this solidified it. He was so angry at me for leaving. He said I was running. I’m not running. I’m taking my dream job.”The dream job I convinced you to take.Well, fuck him. Anger made my fingers curl into my palms.

“Screw him!” Margo exclaimed. “That’s so typical.”

“Just like a man.” I shook my head. “I thought he was different, though. He opened up to me. We had something, Margo.” I swallowed around the tightness. “We were this close to beingmore. But he’s a coward and I won’t compromise my dreams for a man. I’m moving to Texas.”

“No way.” She shook her head. “I made Andrew accept me as I am. I was not about to give up my ambitions for him.”

“Exactly. Besides, he made it pretty clear that I wasn’t special.”

“Forget him.”

“Believe me, I’m going to.”

What a liar I was, because later, when I lay in bed, I replayed our conversation over and over in my head, his cold expression clear behind my closed lids. The cruel twist to his lips as he had ridiculed me for thinking we had been more than colleagues. The harshness of his tone as he’d mocked me. My breaths caught in my chest, and I curled in on myself.Did you think this was different?I dug my nails into my palm.Asshole.

I pulled out my phone to tell him that. I typed out the words. “I know this was different. Screw you for making me think otherwise. I hope you never forget me as long as you live.”

My heart stuttered when I saw him typing as well. I waited. Was he brave enough? After five minutes, nothing. Still not willing to take that one step. I shook my head and blocked his number.

61

JASON

Another sleepless night without her. I stared at the ceiling of my bedroom, my hands behind my head in my king-size bed. I had embarrassingly woken hard to hazy memories of her in my bed, more impressions than anything. Like a fucking teenager again.

Jonah had joked that I get back on the app to take the edge off, and I’d nearly punched him in the face. I had one thought, and it was getting her back as soon as possible. Only another hour until I could call Margo. I didn’t want to give her any opportunity to reject the call or talk to Cynthia first, which meant I needed to call her on a weekday morning from my work number. Every firm attorney picked up unknown 212 numbers because they could be a client.

With that, I heaved myself out of bed, my body aching with exhaustion and the endless runs I’d been going on to distract myself. I showered quickly and took the subway to the office. With each stop, I tapped my fingers on my thigh.Would Margo hear me out? Did I stand a chance with Cynthia?

I strode down the office hall, and associates scurried out of my way. My face was set and my steps filled with purpose. I told Angela to hold my calls and dropped into my chair. I hadn’t missed this officewhile we’d been in Booth.Huh.That was weird. I really hadn’t minded being in Booth by the end.Because she was with you. Anticipation was a rush of blood. I could do this.

At 10:03 a.m., I dialed Margo’s number. She picked up on the third ring.

“Margo Clarke.”

“Margo, it’s Jason Elliot at Covingly. I worked with Cynthia on the Argan deal.” My voice sounded damnably nervous. I dug my fingers into my palm.

“I know who you are,” she said in a cool voice. My stomach dipped. That was not promising.

“I need a favor,” I replied. Better to get it out now.

“Why the hell would I do you a favor?” Her voice was hard. I heard a man’s low rumble in the background and then scratching at the receiver.

“It’s the guy from Cynthia’s deal.” Margo’s voice was muffled and I couldn’t hear the response. “I don’t know what he wants, but I’m about to hang up on his ass.”

“Please don’t hang up,” I begged. I wasn’t above it.

“He’s begging me,” Margo said to the unknown man. She sounded amused and I nearly growled into the phone. “Fine, I’ll give him a chance.” She sighed.

“What do you want?”

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