Page 46 of Fair Trade
“What other matters besides business would we need to discuss, Ms. Álvarez?” The second time he refuses to say my name stings even more. “If anything needs my immediate attention, be sure to email Marla. She’ll keep me informed and up to date on anything urgent.”
“Oh.” My voice cracks as I rock back on my heels.
His eyes meet mine, and for a brief moment, I can see him.
The Nick who laid his heart on the line yesterday.
The man who begged me to jump into the deep end, because he was right there to catch me.
The same one I kissed right before I walked away and acted as if I couldn’t hear his agony as I slumped against his office door.
His face softens, and I swear I can almost see the white flag being waved in his eyes.
His shoulders slump on an exhale, and I wonder, if I just stare at him long enough, whether I can wear him down. For a few minutes to make my case. I haven’t got the first clue what it is, but it sure as hell isn’t indulging in this alphahole gimmick he’s putting on to save face.
He shakes his head, as if he can read my mind and is telling me to let it go.
Let him go.
I shake mine right back at him. Because now that I’m faced with the reality of Nick really leaving, I’m not sure if the idea of being ridiculed in the media was reason enough to let myself run away from the one thing I can’t stop thinking about.
I want Nick.
I open my mouth, the truth on my lips.
Nick watches me intently, almost as if he’s waiting with bated breath to hear what I should have said yesterday.
But then I realize that Marla is watching us with poorly veiled curiosity, causing me to hesitate. The slight delay seems to be the final nail in the coffin of Nick’s resolve.
He rubs his hand roughly over his short beard, and I remember how delicious it felt while my nails lightly scratched alongside his jaw while we kissed.
He faces Marla, his voice turned gentle and low but not low enough that I can’t hear his next words.
“Don’t forget: I’m bringing Delilah with me. I know it’s last minute, but please make sure all arrangements are made for her to join me. Spare no expense. I want her to be comfortable on the flight.”
His brown eyes raise to meet mine, and his bravado turns into pity. My stomach takes a nosedive as he shakes his head one last time before walking back into his office without so much as a backward glance.
I bite down on the inside of my cheek and force myself to focus on the physical pain instead of the punch to the gut he just delivered.
He’s taking a woman to London with him.
Someone he’s clearly familiar with.
All this time, I ate up the bullshit that he wasn’t sleeping with any of his dates. In reality, he probably was, while also banging this Delilah woman on the side.
A tidal wave of regret, disbelief, and repulsion pummels through my body.
How could I be so stupid?
He clearly was only in it for the chase, and once I turned him down, he was onto the next.
I leave without saying goodbye to Marla, not trusting my voice not to crack.
My heels click loudly on the tiled floor. I itch to take them off and chuck them into the nearest trash can, since I’m wearing one of the pairs that Nick bought me.
I place a hand on my stomach as I continue to walk swiftly back to my office, holding back the sudden urge to barf.
I literally paraded around the offices like his personal little Barbie doll, dressed in the clothes he bought me.
