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23

Liam

Nearly two hours had passed since I’d left Mila’s.

I’d taken the subway to the small apartment I’d gotten just a few days earlier, and now as I sat on the murphy bed that had come with the place, I wanted to kick my own ass.

I should have known better.

Ididknow better.

And yet I’d still slept with Mila.

Mila…I closed my eyes, thinking about the way she’d looked before I walked away. Fury and embarrassment had lit her eyes. Part of me wished I’d stayed with her as she faced her father. She shouldn’t have been alone.

But I was the reason she was in this mess to begin with.

How was she?

I glanced at the phone, but before the idea to call her could fully form, I cut it off.

I’d caused enough trouble, and besides, I had no doubt the quiet phone would start ringing sometime soon. I’d hate to be on the phone with my lover when my boss called to tell me I was fired. That wouldn’t be very professional.

I knew Iwouldget a call, sooner or later, from my boss.

I was fired.

I had to be.

Ideservedto be.

Even though I couldn’t find it in me to regret the time I’d spent with Mila, I’d known it was wrong.

I’d end up losing my job, and without a job, I couldn’t afford even this small square of space I’d ended up renting.

I knew Jake would let me move back in, but I didn’t know if I wanted to do that. Maybe I just didn’t belong in New York. Maybe I should go back to Texas. I could figure out something to do with myself there. I was at loose ends now, and how likely was I going to be able to find a job considering how bad I’d screwed up the one I was about to lose?

Getting up, I started to pace the small space. I still wore the suit I wore when I went to Mila’s that morning. I’d all but torn the necktie off earlier, but now it felt like the suit itself was strangling me. I tore off the coat and threw it on my bed, then jerked at buttons on my shirt until I had it open.

A knock on the door had me going still. In the middle of the floor, I stared at the door, wondering who in the hell it could be. The options were limited. Jake and Michelle knew where I lived. My employer had been given the updated address.

Shit, knowing my luck, itwasmy employer.

I looked down at myself and decided since I was getting ready to get fired, it didn’t matter if I looked like a bum.

I stormed to the door but kept myself from jerking it open. I’d been the one to screw up. I was going to suck this up and take it like a man.

That resolve lasted for all of two seconds because I opened the door to find, not my boss, but Mila.

I blinked at the sight of her.

She took a step toward me, her hand outstretched.

I stayed where I was.

“What are you doing here?”

“I…well, I’m here to see you,” she said, her smile uncertain. “About earlier–”