No matter how needy she had been in my lap, she wants nothing to do with me. I need to see her again so we can finally talk about what happened. At the very least, I need closure.
I can’t allow myself to be vulnerable again. If she breaks my heart, I don’t know if I’ll be able to recover this time.
“What was she doing here, anyway? Did she spend the night?”
As much as I love my mother, she can be extremely nosy.Especiallywhen it involves my love life.
“She was at a bar last and got really drunk, so I picked her up.”
“Oh, my boy is such a gentleman!” A smile lights up her face. There’s a twinkle in her eye I haven’t seen in quite some time. “I knew you still loved her.”
“I don’t love her,” I reply dryly.
She turns off the water and looks me dead in the eye. “You can’t lie to me, Masashi. I saw the way you looked at her.”
“It’s been years, Okasan,” I say with a shrug, keeping my voice steady. “I’ve moved on.”
She shoots me a look that says,You’re full of shit. “If you’ve moved on, then why haven’t you gotten into another relationship?”
I throw my head back, letting out a groan. “Geez! Just because I’ve been single since we broke up doesn’t mean I haven’t moved on. I’m not interested in dating anyone. My career is the most important thing to me right now.”
“There’s a reason why she came back into your life. Don’t let her walk away again.”
“So, what do you think?” Trang asks, chewing her bottom lip as her fingers drum against the table.
I’ve been staring at her sketches for a good ten minutes now, and I’m trying to come up with a nice way to tell her that I abhor her designs. The clothes she drew are fitting for a sixty-year-oldman—not someone in their twenties. I want to incorporate my Japanese culture in this clothing line, and it’s as though she completely disregarded that vision. I need to work with someone who knows me.
I need to work with Annalise.
She would know exactly what I want.
“The designs are great… But they’re not exactly what I had in mind.” I give her a smile, hoping to lessen the burn.
“Oh.” Her face falls as she pinches her forearm, unable to meet my gaze. “What’s wrong with them?”
Everything.Where should I even start?
“It’s not my style. I want something more modern. The color choice is a bit loud.”
“Oh. I see…” She clears her throat, grabbing the sketchbook and clutching it tight to her chest. “I’ll get started on some new designs to show you next time you’re here.”
“Sounds great. I’ll see you then,” I say.
She forces a smile and walks out of the conference room with her head hung low.
Damn it. Was I too harsh?
I wasn’t about to lie to her and tell her it was everything I wanted. Plus, in her line of work, you would think she’d be able to accept criticism.
I glance around the office, and my pulse ricochets when I spot Annalise. She’s at her desk, typing away, completely focused. My heartbeat quickens when I catch sight of her skirt—cut just high enough to reveal the tattoo of roses inked along her thigh.
Earlier, when I arrived at Dauntless, she wasn’t here. I asked her coworker, Ivy, where she was and she told me Annalise was out buying supplies for Veronica. She gave me a funny look when I asked about Annalise, but I didn’t care. I had to see her again. I would’ve found an excuse to stick around until she returned.
I had basketball practice earlier this morning, so I made sure to pack a nice outfit to change into and to wear my best cologne.
Before I approach her, I quickly glance at my reflection in the mirror that’s hanging on the wall to make sure I look presentable.
“You wanna get some ph? for lunch?” Ivy asks Annalise.
