Page 55 of The One
Me
I’m one of the owners of the company. HR is not going to argue with me when I tell them to reinstate your vacation time. Stop worrying.
Trista
I got an email from HR. Thank you, Rhett. I feel a lot better now.
Me
Any updates on Lainey?
Trista
She’s with a friend for happy hour. I’m sending a pic in a second.
Me
Male? Female?
Trista
It’s a woman who looks so much like her that they could be twins. They even smile the same, it’s wild.
My stomach churned as I read her last message, my hands balling into fists. There was a burning in my chest, like someone had dropped a lit match in a pool of gasoline and the flames caused the acid to rise from my gut and rush to my throat.
With my closed fingers, I pounded on the center of the fire, telling the food I had inside of me to stay in.
My eyes were closed when my phone vibrated with another message, telling me the picture Trista sent had come through.
I couldn’t look at it.
I couldn’t even be around it.
I left my phone on the desk, rolled back my chair, and walked out of my office.
As I passed Ridge’s door, I heard, “Hey, Rhett, are you leaving? I need to talk to?—”
I didn’t turn around.
I didn’t answer.
If he said anything more, I stopped listening.
I just kept going until I reached my car and slid into the driver’s seat. I shifted into first gear, and I peeled out of the parking lot.
Trista
She just finished moving into her apartment. Her cousin and dad helped carry all the boxes into the building. Now, she’s at a furniture store.
Me
Keep following her.
Trista
Even though you know where she’s living now?
Me
