Page 84 of Must Be Love - Irresistible Bachelors

This morning, I finally had to tell Havana that I don’t want the promotion. I did it over the phone, which was worse than in-person but better than an email.

She was disappointed, to say the least. Havana thought I was a guaranteed yes. She sputtered a while before asking if I thought anyone else on my team would be a good fit. Merhalle wants to hire internally on this.

I gave a few suggestions. My team isn’t terrible. There are a couple coworkers who would do well as supervisors.

After I hung up, I finished the remainder of my work. I’ve been distracted all week. I probably did half as much as I would any other week. I hate that AJ did this to me. My work shouldn’t be suffering because of a breakup. It’s embarrassing.

I close my laptop. It’s nearly six, and I’m already exhausted. I’ve been working for almost twelve hours to reach my deadline for the backstock product I was in charge of. I managed to finish everything, so I’m okay with shutting down for the night.

My weekend plans involve ice cream and rom-coms. It’s vastly different than my weekend plans over the last two months. I’ve been seeing AJ or spending time with my friends for the last eight weekends. It’ll be good to have some time to myself for a change.

I grab my first pint of ice cream and a spoon and settle on the couch to Netflix and chill with myself. I don’t need anyone else!

The first rom-com has me crying ten minutes in. I used to love meet-cutes. I wanted to have one for myself. Then I got one, and it led me here.

But I can’t bring myself to turn off the movie. It may be sad, but it’s helping me, too. I can live vicariously through these people. They were able to work through their big conflicts to stay together in the end.

If only it worked like that in real life.

The ice cream is gone before the movie ends. I have three more pints in the freezer, but I’ll throw up if I eat them, too. I’ll save them for later.

Just as the couple is reconnecting, there’s a knock on my door. I ignore it at first. It’s probably a neighbor or someone trying to sell me something. No one needs to know I’m here. I certainly don’t want anyone to see me with a puffy, red face, my body bloated from ice cream.

Then again, maybe I should answer the door looking like this. It would make whomever is knocking leave me alone.

I don’t have a chance because the knocking stops. It’s probably for the best. I shouldn’t be scaring people away. I might get a reputation around here.

Just as I’m about to start another movie, the knocking starts again. This time, it’s more persistent.

“Amber! Open the damn door.”

What the hell? Why is Nicole here?

I trudge to the door and open it, not bothering to care about my image. Nicole has seen me in rough shape. Nothing could scare her away.

Nicole stands shoulder to shoulder with Daisy. The two take one long look at me before charging into my apartment.

I sigh. “Sure, guys. Come on in.”

I sit back on the couch and play my movie. If they want to hang out, they can. They’re not going to stop me from enjoying my Friday night.

“Oh, no. No, no, no. This is not who you’re becoming.”

I look up at Nicole. “It’s who I am.”

“Nope. I won’t allow it to happen. When is the last time you showered?”

I roll my eyes. “I showered before work this morning.”

Daisy sniffs the air. “Okay, but when is the last time you washed your hair?”

“Monday,” I admit. “But it’s not like I wash my hair every day, anyway. You know my hair gets weird when I wash it too much.”

“It looks like a rat’s nest.”

“Well, I wasn’t expecting company.”

“You look pathetic, Amber. If I was doing the same thing as you are right now, what would you do?”

“I’d tell you to get off your ass, wash your hair, and pull yourself together.”

Nicole grins. “That’s exactly what I’m saying to you right now. Come on, Amber. You’re falling apart. I can’t watch you like this.”

“Then leave!” I cry, tears welling in my eyes. “No one asked you to come here.”

“You’re upset, I get that, but don’t take it out on me. We’re here because we care about you. Have you left your apartment since Monday?”

They both know I haven’t left. I’ve hardly answered the texts she and Nicole have sent me this week. I’ve been happily hiding in my apartment since AJ and I broke up.

Nicole is right. I’m pathetic. Since when I am I the kind of girl who lets a guy ruin her life? I don’t want to be that girl.

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