Page 82 of Cocky Prince
No time like the present for Mira to take on a new leadership task. I nod and collect my things, then follow Eve out.
Eve is holding a stack of folders. Her Blue signet ring—slightly more refined than the men’s version—flashes in the light of the art deco wall sconce. She is the only female Blue Star, and I’ve often wondered why they chose her. I think it’s because she has no scruples.
In my short tenure at Blue, I’ve seen people fired for making the mistake of confiding in Eve. Mentioning displeasure over Blackwell, or any of the Blue Stars, is a firing offense, though a different reason is always given. Which is why I’ve rarely said two words to her, and say nothing now as we make our way to the conference room.
Once inside, Eve heads straight to the seat next to Blackwell, but I pause at the entrance. Everyone is present. Catering even set up a food table, which is typically only done when there’s a celebration or special event.
One more thing Blackwell hasn’t informed me about?
Adam is in his usual spot at the end of the conference table. He sends me a private smile, and I make my way over. The spot next to him is empty and I take it, sensing the heat of his body as soon as I sit.
“Thank you for coming today,” Blackwell says, getting the meeting started, but I barely notice. Because Adam shifts, his leg pressed against mine.
All I’ve thought about since he left my office a few hours ago is being with him tonight. I worried that Adam would run at any small problem we encountered. He admitted he’s the first to leave when a relationship gets rocky. But our disagreement over the Bliss suitesisa big issue, and he didn’t run. He came to me today to work things out. Blue is still a problem, but he’s right—separating isn’t the solution.
His warm hand squeezes my waist below the table and I smile.
“—proud to include Adam Cade among the Blue Stars.”
My head snaps up. What did Blackwell just say?
Adam’s hand freezes against my waist, then moves slowly away, taking all the warmth along with it.
I stare at Blackwell’s smiling face. “Adam?” Blackwell says. “Will you stand?” He holds up a black box.
Adam rises beside me and buttons the top button of his suit jacket, his jaw stiff. He doesn’t look my way before striding to the end of the table. With each step he takes, I feel our worlds growing farther apart.
Don’t do it.
Adam shakes Blackwell’s hand. “Thank you. It’s a privilege and an honor to be considered a Blue Star. I won’t take it for granted.”
My jaw unhinges.
Adam removes the ring from the box and slides it on his ring finger, the cobalt of the gemstone catching the light the way Eve’s did moments ago in the hallway. My stomach hitches and the room spins. I feel like I’m going to be sick.
I believed him, even if I didn’t know everything going on. I believed Adam wouldn’t support Blackwell all the way. But this is about as supportive as one can get. Adam has become a Blue Star.
Maybe he has no choice?
But doesn’t he? Aren’t we all the makers of our own destiny?
Adam is allowing this to happen. He’s giving in to Blackwell’s demands, doing what the boss says to keep his job, just like he told me to do the last time we found ourselves in this conference room and I wanted to speak out after Blackwell handed off my work to William.
The noise volume in the room increases as people stand and head for food, or to congratulate Adam.In celebration.
I move in a daze to the door and slip out. Adam said to give him time, but he only seems to be getting closer to Blackwell. If he’s with Blackwell, he can’t be with me. And I don’t know where that leaves us.
Because I still love him.
* * *
Adam lefta note at my place last night. We had plans to get together, but after the meeting I freaked the hell out and went to Zach and Nessa’s instead.
Then the entire gang showed up.
Mira was appalled on my behalf, but the guys were quiet. To them, Adam is a brother, and in some weird way, I feel like I betrayed him just by relating the story. He’s my boyfriend, or hewas. I don’t know what we are anymore. These last few days have been a rollercoaster. How could something so magical in its normalcy, like churros in cocktail wear and heated kisses on the kitchen counter, go so horribly wrong?
I pull a sweatshirt over my head and pad into the kitchen in my bare feet. I called in sick today and worked from home. It’s a chickenshit maneuver, but I can’t see Adam. I need to be strong, and all my defenses disappear when I’m around him.
