Because you’re so stuck in the past that you can’t see the future.
No one can see the future. That’s kind of the point.
You’re only punishing yourself.
I slam my laptop closed.Fuck it. I’m leaving early. I need to get out of here. Go somewhere I won’t be reminded of Scarlett or the fight or why I so desperately need Epos to be a success.
Good luck with that.
Whatever. I’ll go for a run. I can pound out my frustration on the trails. Run until my muscles ache and my lungs burn and there’s nothing but the next step before me.
I grab Oreo’s leash, and I’m about to clip it on her when my office door swings open.
Miles and Beck roll in like they own the place. No knock. No greeting. Not even a goddamn smile.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Miles asks as they plant themselves in the visitors’ chairs across from my desk.
“Oreo and I are cutting out early.” If anyone deserves a break, it’s us.
“Like hell. We need to talk.” Miles sounds pissy. Whether it’s because he pulled the short straw and has to lead this conversation or because of something else is anyone’s guess.
“About what?” I rise to my feet and toss the leash on my desk. “And why does this feel like an intervention?”
“Because it is an intervention,” Miles retorts. He crosses his legs and rests his elbow on the armrest before dropping his chin into his hand. “Might as well pull up a chair and make yourself comfortable.”
“How generous of you.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes and slip back into the chair I’d just vacated.
Then I wait.
“Scarlett called off today.”
I hadn’t realized, but I’m not surprised. If her night was anything like mine, she’s probably exhausted. Physically and emotionally.
But that isn’t my concern. Not anymore. She made her choices, and I made mine.
Now we have to live with the consequences, however unpleasant they may be.
“You’re not going to say anything?” Miles asks.
I shrug. “What do you want me to say? She’s your assistant.”
“Don’t play coy. You’re the one sleeping with her. And since she called off, and you’ve been moody as fuck all day, I can only assume something happened between the two of you.” He arches a brow. “So what is it?”
My shoulders stiffen, tension gathering between my shoulder blades. “Why do you assume it’s my fault?”
Miles opens his mouth to respond, but Beck cuts him off. “We’re not assigning blame. We just want to know what happened, and if Miles should expect her to return to the office on Monday.”
“She’d damn well better.” Miles narrows his eyes, reminding me that if she doesn’t, he’ll hold me personally responsible. “I’m lost without her. Today’s been an absolute nightmare.”
I scoff. She’s only been out one day. How bad could it be?
“I’m sure she’ll be here Monday,” I offer, though I have my doubts. “Three days of rest is plenty of time to recover from…whatever ails her. Besides, Monday is Valentine’s Day, and she’s co-chairing the social committee.”
If she hangs me out to dry, it would be no less than I deserve, but damn I hope she shows. I don’t have the first clue what needs to be done Monday to pull the event together.
“What happened?” Miles asks, sounding slightly less annoyed now that he’s vented his frustration.
I can hardly blame him. We’re all feeling the stress of the Epos launch. Miles is usually great under pressure, but dealing with Scarlett’s unplanned absence on top of everything else might just be the cherry on a shit sundae.
