Before he could get another word out, I yanked my office door open. "Mr. Gasol. Please excuse me. I need to get back to work."
Bruno closed the distance in fast, long steps, his jaw tight and his eyes burning with anger. When he reached the door, he glared at me.
"You're so fucking stubborn," he snapped before storming out.
Naturally, the whole office heard his words and now stared at me. Frustrated, I slammed the door shut with a sharp echo.
Eventually, the snow stopped, streets were plowed, and many of the sidewalks were already shoveled. The possibility of legal consequences keeps every New Yorker with property careful about clearing the sidewalks, afraid of fines or lawsuits. So, I offered my hardworking employees lunch at the ramen restaurant nearby. I gave Eliana my credit card and told them to go ahead. I wanted to finish up a call with Olivia, who for the last six minutes had scolded me about screwing Bruno.
"Didn't we say he was trash?" she reminded me.
It brought a smile to my face. "Yes."
"So, why are you eating from the trash when you own a dating app, with endless options?"
Leave it to my friend to make things sound so simple. "I was drunk, I wouldn't willingly dumpster-dive."
"Well. Protect your heart." Olivia said exactly what I'd been thinking since that night.
Even through the anger, I could no longer pretend I lacked a heart. Once, it had been full of love for Bruno. A year of steady effort had drained those feelings, and going back now felt impossible.
"I'm on it."
After that assurance, she hung up, and I left my office to meet the team for lunch. I was paying, so I might as well eat. I pressed the elevator button and smiled when it opened instantly. However, when the door completely opened, among the riders I spotted Bruno.
I took a deep breath before entering.
"Alex."
Oh God, please tell me he didn't plan on having this conversation for all to hear.
"Now isn't the time," I said flatly and pushed the lobby button.
Ignoring the desperation in my voice, Bruno spoke. "Earlier wasn't a good time, and we were alone in your office."
I spun around, glancing from him to the people. Through gritted teeth I spoke. "Not now."
"When!"
Everyone gathered in the elevator only needed a tub of popcorn, and they'd be ready for a show. Only one guy pretended to have hearing loss and kept his eyes glued to his phone screen.
Lowering my head and voice, I whispered, "Later."
"Let's do it after work at the diner nearby," Bruno said, then waited for me to lift my head. Before I could speak, he warned, "Either then, or I camp out in the lobby of your condo building."
God no, my neighbors were all stuck-up rich society folks, so that would be a nightmare.
"Fine, let's talk then." One look at Bruno told me he didn't believe me. As the elevator door opened and everyone filed out, I followed, then turned around to face him. "We need to get this over with. I'll be there."
"Six-fifteen?" Bruno asked with one brow raised.
Sighing, I rolled my eyes and turned to walk away. "I'm going to eat lunch. See you later."
Behind me I heard him clearly. "Alex, don't chicken out this time. Let's put everything on the table, and if you still want to never see me again, I'm gone forever."
Forever. Such a long time. So permanent.
Weirdly, it felt like a threat.
