I feel myself softening with empathy, but I don’t allow it. She plays these games every time we break up. This time is different, this time is final.
“I know that this will be adjustment for you. I tookthe liberty of securing you a few interviews for firms around the city. I submitted glowing letters of recommendations and I’ve secured you an apartment a few blocks away. I’ve paid the rent through the year so you can get back on your feet gradually.”
She looks shocked by this, and it’s as if she’s just now fully understanding how serious I am.
“Uhm, thank you. I…that’s very generous of you.”
I nod my head, waiting for her to say more. Instead, she just looks at me with big sad doe eyes, that unfortunately for her, don’t really do much for me.
“I have movers that are coming tomorrow morning to move all of your things to your new apartment. They’ll handle everything. I’ve cancelled your line of credit and will be changing the locks starting tomorrow afternoon.”
I knew that one was going to a shocker for her. Her face is stunned that I’ve moved so quickly, when really, I’ve been planning all of this from the moment Cassi and I gave in to one another back in Seattle.
Swallowing roughly, Carly nods.
“I understand. I…I’m sorry, Nichol—” she cuts herself off, shaking her head. “Nico. I’m sorry this didn’t work out. I’m sorry I couldn’t be better.”
Again, typical manipulation shit that I won’t be playing into. I shrug my shoulders callously and awkwardly, Carly stands.
“I uhm, I’ll get as packed as I can before the movers come tomorrow. I…” she pauses, her eyes searching my own. “I wish you a lifetime of happiness, you deserve it.”
I nod, not able to return the sentiment in this moment. She winces like my silence hurts most of all before she walks down the hall, shutting the bedroom door behind her. Her soft sobs echo through the apartment and I blow out a heavy breath before heading out the door.
The tight ball of anxiety that has been twisting in my chest allday eases when I step into he elevator and hit the lobby button. That went a hell of a lot better than I thought it would. Instead of anger she just seemed sad. I really do hope she finds happiness elsewhere, though. For a while I convinced myself we could make each other happy enough, that what we shared was enough. Now that I’ve gotten a glimpse at what real love feels like, real connection, the imitation just won’t do.
My fingers are flying across my phone as I send a text that I’ve been dying to all day.
Me: It’s done. We’re free, babygirl.
I stayed at the brownstone last night and stayed on the phone with Cassi until she fell asleep. She couldn’t believe how well Carly took it and honestly, I’m still in shock myself. Maybe I built it up too much in my head or maybe deep down, she has known it was coming for a while. Either way, I’m officially a free man, which means that I can pursue and be with the woman I’m completely fucking gone for guilt free. Finally.
I’m fucking pissed I couldn’t take off the next few days. All I can think about is getting to Cassi. Unfortunately for me, I’ve taken off way too much time lately, honestly more time than I’ve taken off in the last ten years, and I have obligations that can’t wait. First up is a meeting with one of my biggest clients, Arnold Maywhether. A rich as sin mine tycoon. He owns over fifty gold mines and a handful of others, and we manage all of his portfolios.
He only likes to meet with me and for the price of the retainer we charge him, he can have whatever he wants. I’ve been putting off this meeting with him for weeks and this morning was the last chance to see him before he goes on vacation with his wife. I’ve met her a few times and she’s actually quite lovely. They’ve beentogether for over forty years and seem like one of those true couples. The ones that stand the test of time.
That’s how we scored his business in the first place, that was my parents. Or at least, to the public eye. They were married for forty six years before my dad passed away. My mother never remarried and passed ten years later. On the outside, my family looks like the perfect picture of a wholesome family business. Beneath the smoke and mirrors, my dad was like any other rich asshat distracted by the dollar signs in his bank account than his family and the tight ass assistants over his wife. My mother pretended not to notice, but she knew. She always knew.
When Jake tried to compare me to him, it cut deeper than I would like to admit. I’m nothing like him, and I’d rather die than ever be assimilated to a man like him.
Stepping out of the elevator and into the entry way of Sanders & Son, I smile to Margie, our receptionist as I walk back to my office. Glancing at Virginia’s desk, I notice it’s empty. She must be grabbing coffee.
As I open my door and step into my office, I notice it’s not empty. There, Carly is sitting in my chair, swiveling around as she faces me.
“Hello handsome.”
What the fuck? Gone is the morose look of rejection and sorrow. She’s dressed to the nines in attire that can barely pass for business casual as she stands and sashays her way to greet me.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“Sanders, is that anyway to speak to your fiancée?” Arnold scolds from the corner of the room.
Fuck. I didn’t see him.
“Sorry, Arnold. I didn’t see you there. I…wait, fiancée?”
“Yes,” he smiles, crossing the room to shake my hand. “Congratulations, son. She just told me all about the engagement. I can’tbelieve you proposed to her at Mariano’s just like I did to my Mary.”
My head whips back and forth between Carly and Arnold in confusion because what the fuck is going on?
