“I haven’t been lonely.”
“You have. You didn’t see it, but I did. Anyone close to you did. Why do you think Everett always tried to help you find a date? I can’t believe he would set you up with his little sister, though…” Her nose curls.
“That’s not exactly what happened.”
“Ah. So, you’re ruining a friendship along with your career.”
Christine may be right, but she shouldn’t say it aloud.
I shake my head. “It didn’t have toruinanything. You’re the only one making it this big of a deal.”
“Because I’m the only one who knows about it. Aren’t I?” She lifts a brow.
I drop into a kitchen chair and hang my head in my hands. “Yeah. You are. And if I had my way, you wouldn’t know about it. What Evie and I had… it was supposed to be just for me. Just for us. Why can’t I have one thing that doesn’t relate to business?”
She clicks her tongue. “Because it started in the workplace, Theo. You know better.”
“I probably should, but I didn’t. When Evie came around, I lost all my senses. They’re still gone. All I can think about is her.”
“You’ll see her again soon,” she says. “The trip is nearly over.”
I lift my head, glaring. “I won’t. Not only did she quit and fly to another country, but she broke up with me.”
Her lips part. “That wasn’t my intention when speaking with her. I wanted to make sure she was happy with your… arrangement. Youknowhow this looks. You’ve had men fired for less.”
“Yeah. I do.” I let out a choked laugh. “Guess I can’t fault you for that. You were right. How happy can she be if she’s gone? It wasn’t even a conversation. She wouldn’t hear me out.”
“That isn’t why she left, and you know it.” Christine sits down across from me. “I never wanted to get in the way of your relationship. You deserve to be happy.”
“Youdidget in the way. It doesn’t matter if it’s what you wanted to do.” I wave a hand. “You and I still have to work together, and your face is pissing me off right now. Probably best if we take some space.”
“I’ll leave if that’s what you want.” She crosses her arms and stays in place, looking like we’re at a business meeting, and she’s about to talk business. “You’re being silly. You and Evie can still be together if that’s what you both want. Now that she doesn’t work for you, there’s no reason to be apart.”
“There are a few reasons.” I shake my head, stopping myself from saying anything more. “But I don’t want to talk about them with the person who broke us up, so if you don’t mind…”
My chest is heavy, my eyes prickle, and I don’t want to break down around Christine. It’s clear she’s ready for a day of work, anyway.
“Fine.” She stands, tapping her manicured nails against the wooden table. Christine has been working in the woods for days, but there’s not a speck of dirt under those damn nails. “Keep being silly. Blame me for your problems if that makes you feel better. I know you. The solutions will come next.”
She heads for the door.
“There are no solutions!” I call.
The only answer is the front door closing.
At last, I can break down in peace.
Chapter Twenty-Five
EVIE
I’m coming home early.
That’s the text I sent my brother. Not a call, a simple text, just to let him know to expect me. He probably won’t react all that kindly to a stranger breaking into his house. I’m not a stranger, but when I look at myself in the airport bathroom, I feel like one.
Dark circles coat my under eyes, my hair is tangled, and my outfit is wrinkled. Traveling does that to anyone, and traveling in my mental state makes it more challenging. Everything is harder now. Breathing is harder. Thinking is harder. Maybe it’s the heartbreak, or perhaps it’s the flight. I don’t know. No one has ever gotten to methisbadly.
Spotting my brother at baggage claim doesn’t do anything to put me at ease. I need to be alone.
