“One more comment about how Margot broke my heart and I am going to punch you right in the nose.”
He grins. “That’s the spirit. No woman can keep you down!”
Rubbing my temple, I turn toward the door. “You are impossible. And on that note, I’m going to go lie down.”
Leaving my study, I head down the hall toward my bedroom. But Erik’s voice still echoes in my head.
And that’s not heartbreak you’re experiencing?
I don’t know what it is, but I’m ready for it to be over, and soon.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Margot
My least favorite place to be in the whole entire world has got to be my current one: in Anna’s office atPolitiken, listening to her vent about how useless I am.
“I got a call early this morning,” she shouts, pacing back and forth over the small office’s length. “And would you believe it, it was from His Majesty’s Press Office, calling to officially axe the article that you were apparently, supposedly, theoretically writing for us.”
I slide an inch lower in my chair, my face turning neon pink. My input is not required for Anne’s critique so I just swallow and try to ride it out.
As if I need another reminder that Stellan and I are over. Just thinking about it makes my eyes watery — and I swore that today, six days after we broke up, I wouldn’t dissolve into tears in front of everybody.
Anne turns, pinning me with her dark gaze. “Well? Do you have anything to say for yourself, Margot?”
I suck my lower lip between my teeth and bite down. “No, ma’am.”
She paces the tiny space for a half a minute, her face contorting with anger. “Of course not. You know, the press office refused to explain why they pulled the plug on this project… but the young woman that called said it was not their idea.” She stops, turning to glare at me again. “That means that it was your idea, Margot. Is that right?”
I look down at my lap. “It’s very complicated, Anna.”
She laughs coldly. “You know what? Get out of my office before I fire you. As a matter of fact, take some time before you even think about coming back here.”
I think she expects me to stay, to fight with her over my job. But I’m up and out of her office as soon as she says that. I can feel her eyes burning holes in my body as I gather my things.
As I barrel out of the front door, I repress a sob.
No Stellan.
No job.
Paparazzi mobbing the doorway of Pippa’s apartment.
Will I even last here in Copenhagen? Because it sure feels like I have ruined Denmark for myself. Aside from Pippa, I’m essentially alone in a foreign country.
My eyes well up and I dash away my tears as I head toward the river.
“Margot! Wait!”
I turn to see Pippa rushing toward me, looking concerned. She catches up to me and throws her arms around me as I try not to cry.
“This place sucks!” I moan into her hair.
“Oh.” She pets me as one would a cherished dog, caressing my hair. “I’m sorry. You should know that Guy asked me to come down and fetch you. Apparently, he didn’t like the way that Anna handled you at all.”
I allow myself one more whimper, then put some space between us. Pippa offers me a leather satchel, smiling a bit.
“It’s a laptop. He thought you might have an interesting perspective on the royal family, if you feel up to it.”
