There’s a knock on my door, and I look at the time, it’s after seven, who could that be? Harrison would’ve called, and based on what he said, he’ll be working late today trying to catch up from being out of the office for so many days.
“I’ll get it, you eat,” Zoe says before I can move from my spot… the one my ass is probably glued to right now. I don’t remember the last time I moved.
Zoe comes back with an envelope. I know without even seeing it that it’s a letter from Thomas. A pit opens in my gut at the thought of him writing me back. Was it too much to hope that he would just slink away into the dark without making mefeel any more guilt? Maybe he’s written something horrible that will make me feel better about the whole situation.
She hands me the letter, and I stare at it as if it were a snake about to bite.
“Are you going to open it?”
I drop my pizza back in the box and set the whole thing aside. I hold the letter in both hands, wondering what he could have possibly written. “I wrote him today telling him that I couldn’t continue writing him…”
“Do you think this is hate mail?”
I scrunch up my nose. “Or a profession of his undying love and that he doesn’t want to end things… Either option is awkward.”
“Open it.”
Not really wanting to, I go ahead and open it. Might as well face the music, whatever it is.
Dear Olive,
I’m sorry to hear that you won’t be writing me any more letters. I was enjoying getting to know you. If you change your mind, Rita knows how to reach me.
Hopeful,
Thomas
Tears fill my eyes at the sweetness of his short note. Zoe sees my reaction and swipes the letter from my hands and reads it herself.
“Wow, this guy seems sincere. Are you sure you want to break it off with him?”
“I have to…”
“I hope Harrison is worth it because it sounds like Rita found you the match you were dreaming of.”
I chew on my bottom lip, considering her words. I’ve been dwelling on those same thoughts for days now. But after last night and this morning, I’m feeling more confident in Harrison than ever before. He stayed the night just because he wanted to. He ate my waffles even though I doubt he ever indulges. He kissed me goodbye on his way out the door and made plans to spend the night again tonight… there has to be something between us other than just the uncontrollable chemistry…
Right?
“I hope so too.”
CHAPTER
TWENTY
HARRISON
Work has been a bear today.I hate feeling like I’m constantly behind, and that’s all it’s been today. Putting out fires that started while I was gone. Fires that Sam should’ve taken care of in my absence. The man himself strides into my office looking pleased with himself—he shouldn’t look pleased with himself. He should be dragging his ass in here tail between his legs to beg for forgiveness for the mess he left me to clean up.
“Harrison, my man!”
“Don’t,” I stop him from saying anything else with that one barked word. “What the fuck happened while I was in Houston? I’ve got dozens of emails from the board about the Billings takeover. You assured me that shit was locked down.”
Sam rolls his eyes and casually sits in a chair across from my desk. “Calm down. Everything is under control.”
I slap my palm on my desktop. “No, it’s not under control. Billing’s is ready to back out of the deal. Someone has put it in their ear that selling isn’t a good idea. Those contracts were supposed to be signed Monday.”
Sam just shrugs. “Look, I got busy, you know how it is,” he says with a wink. “I’ll take care of it.”
