I turn toward him to give him a piece of my mind when I see the whole office standing, watching our interaction in the doorway.
17
Maddie
I leave the office,weaving through the crowded sidewalk to get to my Uber like a scolded puppy, too mentally wrecked to walk or raise my arm to hail a cab.
Disappointment sits heavy on my chest, thick and suffocating, as shame radiates off me.
I’m worried that today’s display of unprofessionalism will impact my relationship with my new colleagues, which is the very last thing I’d ever want.
Even if this mess isn’t entirely mine to own.
Nate.
My eyes flutter closed as the car pulls into traffic.
Instead of rewinding our disastrous argument, all my mind can summon is my initial feelings: the jolt of chemistry the moment I laid eyes on him again.
The maddening way my body leaned toward him before my brain could scream,don’t.
The pull was too familiar. I was completely unprepared for the impact of seeing him.
“You’re here, Miss.”
Startled, I blink my way out of the fog and realize we’re already at Mason’s building. I mutter a halfhearted, “Thanks,” hopefully coming out somewhat coherently, then shuffle through the lobby like a zombie right into the elevator.
The doors part, allowing me to step directly into Mase’s enormous two-floor penthouse.
I immediately kick off my shoes, walk straight upstairs, bypassing the soaring ceilings and modern art, and beeline straight toward Mase’s room, rummaging through his drawers for one of his oversized hoodies.
There’s nothing better than feeling cozy in a guy’s old sweats when you’re feeling sorry for yourself.
I settle down with a cup of green tea in front of the TV, wrapped in my favorite velvety blanket. I dial Ads, hoping she can come over and snuggle.
“Hey, Maddie Grace Cunningham.”
She’s the only one who could put a smile on my face right now, albeit a small one.
“What are you doing right now?”
There’s static on her other end, and I can barely make her out. “I’m in Argentina.”
“What!”
“I tried to call you before I left, butsomeonenever called me back. Mom found an artifact for an installation, and of course, she needed it ASAP. Had me fly down the same day. So, surprise! I’m in South America.”
“I could call every person in my phone, and not one of them would shock me the way you do.”
“I like that about me.” She laughs. “What’s up? You sound like shit.”
“I wanted you to come over so I can feel sorry for myself,” I mumble.
A sudden burst of music over the phone. “I couldn’t hear you, babe. What did you say?”
I sigh, knowing what I say doesn’t matter; she’s not here to make me feel better. “Nothing. Call me when you’re home. Love you lots.”
“Love, love, love you.”
