Today, when he tried to ask her to lunch, I made sure he suddenly had an urgent security briefing to attend. Then, I called Anne to my office under the pretense of needing her input on updated badge protocols.
She came, but the look she gave me could have melted steel.
“There are no updated badge protocols,” she said flatly.
“There could be,” I replied. “We should discuss it over lunch.”
She walked out without saying another word to me. But she didn’t have lunch with David, either.
Small victories.
Now it’s late afternoon, and I’m reviewing security footage when I notice Anne heading toward the stairwell that leads to the roof. A minute later, David follows.
My wolf snarls. My hands clench into fists.
I give them sixty seconds. Then, I follow.
The rooftop door is heavy, but I ease it open quietly and catch the tail end of what is clearly an argument.
“—can’t keep doing this, Anne!” David’s voice is frustrated, angry. “You said you’d give me two months. Two months to prove I could make you happy. But how am I supposed to do that when he’s—”
“I know,” Anne says, and she sounds tired. Defeated. “I know, David. I’m sorry.”
“Are you? Because it doesn’t feel like it. It feels like you’re watching us compete, and I’m the one losing.”
“That’s not fair.”
“Isn’t it?” He lets out a laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “He follows you around like a shadow. Sends you flowers. Interrupts every conversation we have. And you let him!”
“I’ve told him to stop—”
“Not convincingly.” David’s voice drops. “I can see it, Anne. The way you look at him. You never look at me like that.”
The silence that follows is damning.
“I’m sorry,” Anne finally whispers.
“Yeah.” Footsteps move toward me. “Me too.”
I step back just in time for the door to swing open. David storms through, and when he sees me standing here, his expression turns cold and furious.
“Even now, you followed us here.” His voice is bitter as he laughs dryly. “I can’t believe this.”
I don’t say anything. I keep my face neutral, but the challenge is surely clear in my gaze.
David looks at me for a few more seconds, then he shakes his head. “You win. I’m not doing this shit anymore.”
He brushes past me, and I smile as I watch him go.
Because he’s right.
I do win.
I push through the door and step out onto the rooftop. Anne is standing near the edge, arms wrapped around herself, staring out at the city skyline. The wind blows her hair around her face. She looks conflicted—and maybe a little guilty.
She is too kind. It’s not as if his broken heart is her responsibility.
“So,” I say, trying to sound disinterested. “Seems like David has given up.”
