“Is there any way we can keep things the way they are?” I asked.
“This is a company-wide decision that we took a great deal of time considering.”
“So that’s a no.” I paused to take a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m stretched thin as it is. This change means that Liaison isn’t viable for me.”
Her mouth went tight. “Then we’ll need to involve legal in this conversation.”
“That’s fine,” I said, sounding lighter than I felt. “Happy to chat about the voided contract with them.”
“Perfect,” she sniped. “We’ll be in touch.”
She disconnected before I could reply.
I stared across the room in a daze and tried not to cry as reality seeped past my anger. I had no job, no Owen, and noreason to evenneeda muse. Austin and Abby were officially out of my life. As much trouble as they’d given me, I already missed them.
I’d planned to spend the day in Montana, getting them closer to their happily ever after. I sniffled and wiped my nose.
I still had Verdantia. And Einar and Zandria. I hadn’t heard back from Celeste about the pages I’d sent her, but now that I had absolutelynothingto focus on except for the dumpster fire that was my life, at the very least I could distract myself with their story.
I navigated to where I’d left off. Einar injured by an invader’s sword, Zandria tending to his wounds, trying to be strong for him and hiding her worried tears.
Three hours later, I finally looked up and took a breath.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
“How hard is it to make a mocha?” I asked Meredith as I glanced over my shoulder to the counter where one barista was working and two were watching him. “Not trying to be a Karen, but let’sgo, my dudes.”
I circled my hands impatiently.
“You do realize that you’re probably the only person in the city drinking a hot beverage during a heat wave?”
“I like what I like,” I grumbled softly.
“Did I tell you that this shelving unit in the storage area stays?” Meredith asked me, gazing at a photo of a standard-issue metal IKEA shelf on her phone like it was a picture of Colton.
We’d just come from touring the space she was hoping to rent and decided to grab some coffee to swoon over the details. Or Meredith was swooning; I was manufacturing enough enthusiasm that she didn’t suspect how crappy I was feeling.
“It’s perfect,” I agreed. “Meant to be.”
I longed for some of that kismet in my own life, though not specifically real estate–centric.
“Brooke,” the barista called out.
“Finally.” I jumped up with a sigh.
I normally wasn’t so impatient, but I felt like I was living in a constant state of PMS. The night before, I’d gotten pissed off at the water dripping down my arms as I washed my face. Of course, the coffee stirrers were out, because even the little things were conspiring to shit on my life.
I felt a presence hovering behind me.
“Well, there you are.”
My pulse kicked up, but only because I was in no mood to plaster on a smile for the person who’d accidentally derailed the only good thing in my life.
“Oh, hey!” I said as I turned around to face Kai.
I wasn’t surprised to see him given we were close to the building where he worked. This time, there was no golden hour light on his face, no bluebirds swooping in the air above him. He was just a good-looking guy, smiling at me like I owed him something.
“You went dark on me last weekend.”
