Page 124 of Fresh Canvas
The reminder of Stella’s final wish was as harrowing as it was relieving. She hadn’t wanted me to be alone the rest of my life. In fact, it served to reason that Amantha might have had Stella’s cosmic blessing from the first infuriating day I laid eyes on her. Amantha understood the depths of my love for Stella and chose me anyway.
And I abandoned her without a word.
“Fix it… You’ll regret it forever if you don’t try.”
But Camilla didn’t know the damage I had caused. If I couldn’t forgive myself for leaving Amantha, why should she?
I braced my pounding heart as I approached the curation wing, dread mixing with the anticipation of seeing her beautiful face.
Instantly, my leather dress shoes stopped like I’d stepped in tar.
The desk across from Kate was bare. Anthony’s photo was gone. Amantha’s scattered notebooks, desk organizer, and even her little potted plant had disappeared.
No.
My mind blatantly refused the scene while anxiety threatened me with another panic attack.
No, no, no.I whipped around, searching.
Amantha was gone.
I darted across the room to her raven-haired friend, whom I hadn’t willingly spoken with in a long time.
My voice sounded like gravel as I asked, “Kate, where is she?”
Kate turned on a slow swivel toward me wearing a sleeveless light blue turtleneck. If looks could kill, I would have withered away on the spot. Icy venom dripped from her words.
“She’s gone, Russo. Amantha quit.”
I shook my head, pleading that I misunderstood. “What?”
“Shequit.” Kate slapped me again with the words. “Though I’m sure you could guess why.”
This couldn’t be happening. Blythe and Kendra were raving about Stirling’s soirée only a few days ago. Amantha belonged here. This was her career. Her dream. And she gave it all up because of…
Oxygen dissipated from my body alongside any hope I had for forgiveness. I stumbled into my office. The door shut behind me for only a moment before it flew open again.
“Mr. Russo,I’d like a word if you don’t mind.” Kate’s polite choice of words was at odds with her furious tone.
I collapsed into my chair and said quietly, “Close the door.”
The latch clicked for a millisecond before Kate turned, seething. “I respected Amantha enough to keep quiet, but since she’s gone, I’msodone.” Her hateful glare didn’t hold a candle to how much I hated myself.
“You—I don’t even havewordsto describe you! You just abandoned her! And without an explanation? Amantha is completely wrecked, and I hate you for it.”
“I know.” Vulnerability crept through my exhaustion. “I hate me too.”
“I swear—” Kate opened her mouth, then snapped it shut. Her eyebrows drew together. “Wait… You what?”
“I hate me too.”
My honesty only seemed to puzzle her further. An awkward silence blanketed the room. Kate seemed at a loss for words, steepling her hands against her mouth as she plopped into the chair across from me.
“Well then, for once, we’re on the same team. Of hating you, of course. I know of at least ten other members we could recruit.” Kate smirked, though her voice had only warmed by a tenth of a degree. “Listen. I never understood you and her. Like,ever. But as much as I want to have you murdered, I’d rather see her happy again.” She rolled her lips before popping them out. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this—and to you of all people—but Amantha is still really hurt which probably means she still cares.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that if you still have feelings for her, man up and take accountability. Put the ball inhercourt. If she can’t forgive you, at least you’ll both get closure. But if not…”
