“Dane believes in love as much as you do,” Norma said quietly. “He’s just never allowed himself to feel it. He doesn’t know how to trust it. Trusting it means being vulnerable, and Dane does not do vulnerability.”
“I can’t fix him, Norma. I can’t be the one to teach him how to love without needing data to back it up. That’s not fair to me.”
“I’m not asking you to fix him. I’m asking you to think about taking this job. A job you’re qualified for. A job that would beyours because you earned it, not because of any relationship with Dane.” She slid a folder across the table. “The job description. The salary range. The benefits. Look it over. Think about it. And if you decide you want to interview, let me know.”
“I don’t know if I can work there knowing he’s there too.”
“Then don’t decide now. Take a few days. Think about what you want—not what Dane wants, but what you want for your career.” She stood. “For what it’s worth, I think you’d be fantastic at this. And I think the matchmakers would be lucky to have you.”
She left, and I sat there staring at the folder.
Head of Matchmaking Department.
It was an amazing opportunity. Probably the best opportunity I would ever get with my limited experience. It was a chance to do something meaningful with a team I actually liked.
And all I’d have to do was work in the same building as the man who broke my heart.
I picked up the folder and walked home. I tried to figure out what I actually wanted.
I didn’t know.
But at least now I had options.
CHAPTER 36
DANE
Lucas practically shoved me out of the office, his hand firm on my shoulder as he guided me toward the elevator. I didn’t resist. The fight had drained out of me the second Keith mentioned Ina’s name.
The elevator ride down was silent, Lucas watching me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Concern, maybe. Or disappointment.
Maybe fear. He thought I was about to snap. Maybe he was worried I was going to snap on him.
We stepped out onto the street, and the cold air hit me like a slap. I hadn’t realized how overheated I’d gotten during the confrontation. I was very literally hot around the collar.
“Walk,” Lucas said, and started moving.
I followed because I didn’t know what else to do.
We walked for three blocks in silence before Lucas finally spoke. “You want to tell me what that was about?”
“Keith’s an asshole.”
“Keith’s always been an asshole. That’s not news.” He glanced at me. “But you’ve never come that close to actually hitting him before.”
“He deserved it.”
“Maybe. Probably.” Lucas stopped at a corner, waiting for the light to change. “But that’s not really why you’re angry, is it?”
I didn’t answer because I knew he was right. I wasn’t angry at Keith, not really. I was angry at myself. Angry that I’d screwed up so badly with Ina. Angry that I’d let fear dictate my actions instead of just being honest.
“She quit,” I said finally.
“I heard.”
“Norma is going to offer her the matchmaking position.”
“That’s good, right? That solves the conflict-of-interest problem.”
