Page 94 of Phishing for Love
I nod stiffly. It kills me, but I force myself to say, “Please thank Calvin for me.”
Dana’s sharp black eyes bore into me. “I will not.”
“Dana—”
“I’ll tell you what I told him,” she retorts, cutting me off. “I told him that if he can take a week off to recover from thebreakup of his six-month marriage, you can take a day after a year-long relationship.”
She doesn’t wait for me to reply but turns on her heel and heads in the direction of her desk, leaving me staring openmouthed after her.
Sofia is going to be disappointed that her opinion of Dana might have to be adjusted.
The one person I haven’t seen this morning is Aaron. I’ve casually wandered past his office, but it’s remained empty. I have no idea where he is, and I can’t ask anyone for fear of sparking more rumors.
I eat lunch at my desk and lose myself in work, the time passing swiftly as I find pleasure and escape in the rhythm of words, in experimenting with new phrases and coming up with the perfect message for a card.
It’s just after four when a sugar craving hits. I decide to take a quick break and grab something from Beth’s Bakery. Either a Portuguese custard tart or a giant slice of chocolate cake. Decision, decisions. As I walk to the elevator, I make a mental note to bring back an almond croissant for Mevia. I smile when I remember her sneaky attempt to get me to buy her one when I was Aaron’s minion for the day.
When the elevator dings, I step inside, but I haven’t been paying attention and now I’m heading up instead of down. I sigh. It appears I’m in for an extended trip.
I’m making notes on my phone when the elevator stops, and the doors open to reveal Nathan standing there. Surprise flashes across his face. “Tess.”
I draw in a serrated breath and my heart crashes in my chest.
No, no, no.
I’m not ready to talk to him. I hastily press the button to close the doors, but I’m not quick enough. Nathan steps inside just as the doors start to close.
“Tess, please can we talk?”
“I have nothing to say to you.”
“Then let me do the talking.”
I straighten my spine. “Looks to me like you’ve been doing a lot more than talking.”
He winces.
I try to reach past him to get to the control panel again, but Nathan steps in front of it, blocking me. He presses the button for the top floor and the doors close.
“Really?” I step backward until I’m pressed against the wall, as far away from him as I can get.
“I’ve been trying to call you,” he says. “I’ve left you voicemails, sent you messages.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “I know.”
“Look, I know you’re angry with me. And you absolutely have a right to be.”
“That feels a little condescending,” I point out.
“I don’t mean it to be. The glitter bomb was a bit much, though.”
“I didn’t send it.” Now that I take a closer look, I can see glitter bits dusting his hair and clothes.
“Well, one of your friends did then.”
I don’t deny it.
“Anyway, I get you’re angry. And that’s why I’ve been trying to get hold of you, to say how sorry I am.”
