“Oh shoot.”
Matte fell inside, landing face first next to my feet.
Pathetic.
She couldn’t keep her balance if she was paid to do so.
“Girl, grow a fucking spine.”
“Sorry– I– uh–”
“And stop apologizing so much.”
“Yes. Right.”
I stepped over her thin frame. The sudden silence of the office was loud. Orbs traced every step I made. Still, I continuedon my journey until I reached the elevator. I pushed the button, calling for a cart.
Ping.
I stepped inside, finally releasing the breath I’d been holding. My nostrils flared and then shrunk.
Flared and shrunk.
Flared and…
You’d better not. I chastised as the tears stung my eyeballs.
I straightened my posture and collected the parts of me that were prepared to fall apart. I was trained for crisis. What I hadn’t been trained for was heartbreak. And, seeing the face of a woman who could be carrying the child of the man I had fallen head first for was enough to break the toughest of soldiers.
Ping.
Cameras greeted me as I stepped off the elevator.
“Vote Grayson November 2nd,” I suggested, making my way out of the building.
A set of keys landed on the counter in the kitchen. An unpleasant fragrance filled the air. Giggles gripped the pieces of my sanity that I had left.
“Alright, girl. I just made it home. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Okay. I’ll text you if I hear something from him. I’m sure I’m in for a long day. He’s deep in his feelings.”
“You know how men are. Dish it but can’t take it.”
“At least yours isn’t a nutcase.”
A chuckle followed.
“That has yet to be determined.”
“Right. We’ll see soon enough. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later, Tish.”
The FaceTime call ended. I observed the petite, round-faced woman in a fitted top and pants that matched. Her skin was glistening, a sign she’d just come from the gym.
“Good evening, Asia.”
A hand went to her chest. Another hand went to her stomach. A dagger pushed through my heart. I grimaced from the pain.
