Because more than she knew, it was my fault. And she was going to be furious when I told her.
“If I could have just kept my mouth shut and not been so stupid as to text her with him around—” I started.
Guy tossed his head from side to side, considering. “Yeah, not great, but you did it with good intentions. If he’d said that shit about Kitty, I’d have done worse.”
“But knowing that it would hurt Kitty’s job?” I pointed out.
Sorrento waved his hand. “All of this is beside the point. What’s done is done. What are you going to do to fix it?”
I chewed my lip. “I mean, I’m rich. I could bankroll her.”
Guy gave out a short chuckle. “Ha! Annie doesn’t accept money well. She’s real proud about that stuff. Trust me, Kitty’s tried.”
“No, she’s been wanting to start her own firm. I could give her the startup money,” I said.
Guy shrugged. “This is her career. I don’t see her taking it well.”
I hung my head. “I could . . . go to her boss and confess that it was all my fault.”
“Boom. Romance,” Mikey said, pointing to me with a Cheeto-orange fingertip. “Big grand gesture. Chicks love that. Jessie talks about it all the time in her little books.”
Guy sucked his teeth. “That might not help. You might be better off to lay low with the boss.”
“Why?”
Sorrento nodded. “It’s her job. Like big girl professional job. She needs to be able to handle her own shit. Plus, you’d be admitting that the two of you have talked about it.”
Mikey shook his head, holding out a Cheeto for Greg. “Nah, I bet Annie’s a romantic. Trust me. I saw how she looked at you. She acts all tough and boss bitch, but she wants you to stick up for her.”
“Ay! Don’t feed him that!” I snapped, realizing what covert dog-feeding operation was happening. "He has a sensitive tummy.”
Mikey shrugged. “Join the club. I eat Cheetos.”
“You’re not a dog!” I squeaked.
“Debatable!” Sorrento cut in.
“You feed him that, you pay the vet bill,” I added.
“Focus. You’re thinking about the wrong thing, young Obi,” Mikey said, pretending to be the wise one suddenly.
Guy raised his brows, having ignored our whole Cheeto fight. “It’s true that no one ever has stuck up for Annie, that I know of at least. Kitty’s always said Annie’s unlucky in love.”
Sorrento put a hand on my shoulder. “I think you’ve just gotta get through tonight and talk to her tomorrow. It’ll all work out one way or another.”
* * *
“Hey, angel.”
I picked Annie up at her place as soon as I could get out of practice.
“Hi,” she pouted, miserable, swollen eyes meeting mine.
“Hug?”
She nodded, leaning to meet me across the console.
“I’m so sorry, baby. Will you fill me in on what’s going on?”
