It would all be over.
She’d lose her shot at permanent placement.
I’d lose the promotion.
And everyone would know why.
If Mitchell wasn’t dragging me along with him, I’d have stayed frozen in place, paralyzed with the awful decisions I was faced with.
Logically, I knew we couldn’t do this. Weshouldn’t.
But my racing heart said otherwise. It longed to be near Elizabeth. To shut out the world and carry on where we left off.
Anders led us to a nearby restaurant. The second we stepped inside and Mitchell finally let go of me, I searched for my phone. It wasn’t in my pocket. No. No. I left it on charge in my office.
My office, where Elizabeth may still be.
Although she did say she had to leave. But that was before… before I kissed her. Not to assume that would change her plans… I just…
I needed to speak to her.
“How’s the Gordon-Bettencourt’s work coming along? Is she working independently yet? Or is she still using you?” There was an accusatory edge in Anders’s voice, and I wasn’t sure if I projected my guilt or whether he’d seen something.
“She’s learned a lot. We were working on the basics of urban engineering before you arrived. Doing it by hand.”
“Ah, Jameson got to her while you were away. I couldn’t stop him.”
I shrugged in my best attempt to remain casual. “It’s a good lesson.”
“So she’s smart, too, huh? Some people have really been blessed on all fronts.” Mitchell opened his menu. “She’s already drop-deadgorgeous. Think she’s looking for a newly divorced man?” He lifted his left hand and wiggled his ring finger, where only a band of lightened skin remained.
“She’s out of your league,” Anders teased, and made direct eye contact with me. “She could get anyone she wants. Actor, superstar, or maybe she’d like that handsome tech genius everyone is after… What’s his name? Viktor something.”
Whatever had been fluttering in my chest since leaving the office was knocked out, leaving a hollowness I was more familiar with. He wasn’t wrong. She was out of my league. I had no doubt about that.
“Volkov,” I said firmly. “Viktor Volkov.”
Mitchell’s guffaw shook the table. “You’re right. My money won’t win her favor.”
“You wanted to discuss a new development company you’re opening in South Africa? Why not consult with a local firm?” I turned my attention to Mitchell and hoped they would take the bait and lead the conversation elsewhere.
“Stop trying to give our work away,” Anders chided. “Otherwise we’ll have to get rid of you.”
“Oh, if you do,” Mitchell said, turning to face me, “I could have a full-time traffic engineer on my team.”
I dropped my head and inhaled, finding the part of me that learned how to behave in these situations. When I located it, I offered them a smile. “I don’t know if you can afford me.”
And with that, the negotiations for our fees on the next few projects commenced.
By 7:00 p.m., I bolted out of the restaurant. I couldn’t be late for theOverpowerLAN. I also needed to speak to Elizabeth. And I needed to do it before I saw Lily.
The multiple coffees I’d consumed during that meeting were not helping my anxiety.
Lily and I weren’t in a relationship. I hadn’t technically done anything wrong.But why did it feel this confusing, then?
I ran up the stairs of my building while thinking about all the years of gaming with@pancakesareelite. All the nights spent confiding in her when I wasn’t brave enough to tell anyone else. The jokes I dared to make, knowing we’d never meet and I would never have to own up to them. She laughed with me in the hours when I’d forgotten how. Lily. Lily. Lily. Who, without a face, without a real identity, was one of the only people in the world I looked forward to talking to.
Because a part of me loved Lily.
