Page 56 of A World Without You
“You did good in there,” he says, not meeting my eyes.
“Thanks. I’m sorry I spoke up.”
“No, I’m glad you did. Their marketing campaigns are dusty at best, and I needed to have someone on my side to help them see how they need to shift their marketing plan if they don’t want this store to become the next Mervyn’s.”
I laugh. “I loved that store.”
A breath of a smile escapes his lips before he straightens his lips and says, “You know they’ve contracted out my company to take over the marketing, but they plan to fill it and make it an in-house position.”
I nod, smiling politely, not entirely understanding what he’s getting at until he adds, “You should apply for it.”
“I don’t know.”
“You’d be good at it.”
He’s completely monotone when he speaks, but I still grab the compliment and let it sink into my skin.
“I’ll think about it.”
“Good,” he says, nodding. It’s all very authoritative and impersonal, and I’m screaming on the inside. “Sorry it ended up being such a long meeting. I know you probably have work to do.”
“Well, you know, those files don’t file themselves.” I force out a laugh as he walks around to the other side of the desk.
He glances up at me and back down at a note on the desk. “Right. Well, I appreciate it...Lauren.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. This is the Colin I know. The one who commands a boardroom then teases me relentlessly and loves me endlessly.
“Why does he call you Lauren?” Colin asks with a slight smile.
“I don’t know. Leslie earlier and Lydia last week.” I shrug, laughter hanging onto my words.
“It’s not even close.” Colin makes a face and shakes his head. “Why does he call you anything?”
I swallow my laughter at this question. There’s a flash of protectiveness in his eyes, and he holds my stare. I want to tell himdon’t let me go this time. Fight for me. Don’t let me make the same mistake again.
“I forgot about jealous Colin. I like him,” I tease, hoping my tone is playful.
When Colin blinks, the atmosphere of peace and forgiveness goes with it. “I’m not jealous, I just don’t get how he knows you when you’ve worked here for a total of like seven days.”
A small smile twitches at my lips, and he looks away. “You’ve kept track.”
“Yes,” he breathes out the word with a huff. “Knowing I have to breathe the same air as you this month has made me painfully aware of how many days I have left to share oxygen with you.”
There’s enough anger in his voice that I know not to press for details about why he feels this way. I rub my lips together and nod.
“Right,” I say and clear my throat. “Well, nice office,” I add because even though he’s angry, I want to prolong the goodbye as long as I can.
“It’s not mine,” he says, pretending to sort through the papers on his desk.
I know this. He’s borrowing Garrett’s office while he’s on vacation, and Colin is contracted to work here.
“Um, well, do you want to go over the notes, or should I just send them your way—”
Colin stands upright and drags a hand over his face. “I’m having trouble doing this, Olivia.”
My breath catches in my throat.Me too,I want to say, but I don’t. I need him to clarify first. “With what? The meeting wasn’t so bad. The timeline and budget Phil and Debra are giving you is completely doable—”
“Not that,” he cuts me off.
