“I’ll leave you to it. I’m running late for date night with David.”
“Where are you guys going?”
“The movies. I’m dragging him to see that new rom-com about the attorney who falls for the criminal she’s representing. I’m sure he’ll wind up being innocent in the end.” She snorted. “And then they’ll fall in love, live happily ever after, blah-blah-blah.”
“David’s going to love that.”
“I told him I’d throw him a blowjob after. I said I’d even swallow, which,” she added with an arched brow, “kind of turns me on, anyway. But he doesn’t need to know that.”
“Oh my God,” I snickered. “Way too much information, Liz.”
“You know me. I consider it a bad day when Idon’tgross somebody out.” She pecked me on the cheek. “See you later!”
I checked my messages, seeing that I had a text and several voicemails. The text was from Michael, asking me to call him back after sundown on a number that was different than the one I had for Dignitary. It occurred to me that they might have reconsidered not firing me, but it seemed the sort of news Marlena would want to deliver. Still, I was uneasy.
I listened to voicemail next, nearly dropping the phone when I heard:Hi, Olivia. It’s me, Nick. Long time, no hear, huh? So, um, I was wondering how you’ve been. Give me a call, okay?
I had to listen to the message three times before I could believe my ears. Even still, I was questioning if I might be hallucinating. Our breakup had been ugly, and we’d left things on even uglier terms. The last words I’d spoken to Nick via a voicemail—my only option, since he’d refused to face me like a man after I caught him cheating—had been along the lines of, “If I never see you again, it will still be too soon, you pathetic coward.”
I saved the message so I could play it back later for Liz, who, like me, would only believe it if she could hear it for herself. Then, I listened to the next.It’s Nick again. Listen, I saw you in the newspaper and it made me think of you. Call me.
Did the entire world see that damn article?
Seething, I listened to the next message.Olivia, it’s me again. I didn’t want to do this over the phone, but I’m missing you like crazy, okay? When I saw you with that . . . guy, it made me realize what a huge mistake I made. Please call me. I need to hear your voice.
Then, the next:I’m losing my shit over here, baby. I miss you so much. Please, please, call me back. I need to know you’re okay.
Seriously? He needs to know I’m okay—now he cares? I gaped at the phone, incredulous, then erased all the remaining messages. I’d heard enough.
Blood boiling, I lobbed the phone down on the bed. “Oh,he’slosing his shit?” I snarled at the empty room. How dare he complain to me about hismental anguish after everything he put me through! And could the asshole be any more transparent? He’d wanted nothing to do with me months ago, but after seeing me out with a hot, handsome, successful billionaire, suddenly he felt I was worthy of attention? Was that what it took, having another man validate me?
I recollected all the times I’d called Nick and cried pitifully, begging him to meet in person to explain himself. Like a scared little boy, he’d hidden, refusing to give me even five measly minutes of his time. He’d denied me the closure I’d needed to move on with my life.
And what had he done instead? He’d creeped into our apartment while I was back in Florida attending Tilly’s funeral and moved his things out. He didn’t even leave a note. I’d come home, devastated over losing not only my grandmother but my boyfriend as well, believing I’d been robbed. It wasn’t until I saw my diploma missing—a packing detail he’d later claimed was an oversight, though I had my doubts because he’d always been resentful of my aspirations that didn’t directly involve him—that I understood what had happened. Thankfully, we’d been on a month-to-month lease, or else I really would have been screwed. Not that he would have cared.
Nick had the uncanny talent for twisting every situation so that he was made out to be the victim. To think that he’d blamed me for his infidelity, saying that I’d left him feeling lonely, that I’d abandoned him to selfishly work on myself. “Well, fuck him,” I fumed.
This time, Nick would not get the best of me. It would be snowing in hell before I returned his call. Let himbe the one left in the dark for once.
I was so riled that I felt as if I had a live wire running up my back instead of a spine. What I needed was to escape the suffocating confines of my sleep-smelling bedroom and get some fresh air. I peeked out the window and made a quick assessment. The sun had already started to fade, but I still had time for a quick run.
I skulked over to the closet and found my sneakers, then pulled socks, shorts, a sports bra, and a tank from my dresser. I threw it all on and smoothed my hair back into a tight ponytail, sticking my tongue out at my reflection in the mirror.Look out world, the bitch is coming.
I began to search for my headphones, but then reconsidered, not wanting Nick to destroy my good running vibes by calling. Again. Better to leave my phone behind altogether, since I needed some quiet time, anyway.
Apparently, the universe had other plans. Just as I’d plugged my phone into the wall charger, it bleeped with a text from Michael, who was asking if I’d gotten the message from him earlier. I was surprised he was up, with the sun still being out. Did vampires get insomnia?
I tapped out a quick message:
Hi Michael,
Thanks for the message. I received your text earlier, but I didn’t want to call you back and wake you! I’m outside jogging right now. Would it be okay if I called you once I got home, so I could hear you better? I’m just on the trail behind my apartment, so I won’t be too long.
I felt a little bad for lying—technically, I hadn’t left for my run yet—but I was amped to get outside before the sun set. Plus, if Iwasgoing to be fired later, why not cling to happiness over being employed while I still was?
I hit send and held my breath as I saw three bubbles pop up as he typed out a reply. Please, please, don’t fire me, Michael. I wondered what was so urgent that he’d contacted me twice.
I let out a relieved breath as I read his message:Of course. Take your time, dear! I’m in the office doing paperwork, so I’ll be here all night. Don’t forget to call me back at the number I gave you!
