The two of them walked out, and I stayed in the conference room a few more minutes. The Apex executive training program was one of the most coveted positions in corporate America, but it meant staying in New York and being around Jagger all the time. I wasn’t sure that would allow the gaping hole in my heart to ever heal.
***
Four days later, my desk phone rang, and a flash of hope surged before my brain could catch up and remind mybody that Jagger didn’t call me anymore. The realization left me feeling hollow as I answered.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Sutton. It’s Linda, Edmund’s assistant.”
I sat back in my chair. “Oh, hi, Linda.”
“Edmund is stuck on a conference call, but he didn’t want to miss you before you left for the day.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is fine. He just wants to speak to you. Would you be able to come up when you’re on your way out tonight?”
“Sure.”
“Great. He should be off his call soon, so pop in whenever you’re ready.”
I’d avoided my mother and Edmund as much as possible over the last two weeks. Eventually, I was going to have to tell them Jagger and I had broken up, but I hadn’t felt up to that conversation yet. I had no idea what my stepfather wanted, though I couldn’t avoid him when he’d specifically asked to see me.
At six, I finished the project I’d been working on and took the elevator up to the executive offices. The receptionist was already gone for the day, so I used my keycard to swipe in. As always, I reached the point where my choice was to go right and not pass Jagger’s office, or go left and torture myself. My day had been fairly decent so, of course, I decided to self-sabotage.
I regretted my choice as I neared the corner office and saw that the lights were still on. But it was too late now. The best I could do was hold my head high and attempt to walk past his wall of windows without looking in. But even without turning my head, I saw through my peripheral vision that he wasn’t alone. Marcus, the bodyguard I’dfired a dozen times, was inside, and the two of them were arguing. I couldn’t help myself, I turned to watch their interaction as I kept walking.
Marcus handed something red to Jagger. “That’s not a good idea, sir,” he said. “You should leave this to the professionals.”
Jagger’s voice grew louder. “Don’t tell me what to do. I’ll take care of it myself.” His gaze suddenly lifted over Marcus’s shoulder and met with mine. He held it as he walked to his office door and slammed it shut.
Oh-kay then. Asshole.
My legs kept moving even though it felt like my heart stayed behind. I was busy trying to swallow the lump forming in my throat when Edmund stepped out of his office. He saw me and smiled. “Hey, sweetheart. I was just going to run to the men’s room. Do you mind waiting a minute?”
“No problem. Take your time.”
“Great.” He gestured to his office. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.”
I was glad for the short reprieve because I needed a moment to collect myself after the brief encounter with Jagger. I didn’t understand the man at all. One minute he looked sad and broken, and the next he was hard and angry. Though seeing Marcus reminded me that Jagger and I needed to have an in-person conversation about ending my bodyguard service. Things had been uneventful since the birthday card was delivered, and it was time my life went back to the way it had been a few weeks ago.
Edmund returned from the restroom and took a seat behind his desk. “I wanted to talk to you about the executive training program.”
“Okay…”
“Jagger filled me in on your personal situation with him, and I wanted to make sure you don’t let it get in the way of making the right business decision. The program is a phenomenal opportunity.”
“He…filled you in on our…situation?”
Edmund held two hands up. “I didn’t ask. I don’t want you to think I was prying.”
“What exactly did he tell you?”
“Not too much. Just that you ended things.”
“That I—”
“You should know, I didn’t mention anything to your mother. I figured you’ll tell her when you’re ready. It’s not my place to interfere in your personal life with her or your boyfriends. But I would like to give you some business advice, if you don’t mind listening.”
