“I’m going to ask for a cot.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. We can just share the bed.” The mattress looks suddenly smaller than before at second glance.
The buzzing in my hand won’t stop, as I grip my phone with endless texts pouring in. Any restraint I had to ignore them is not working.
I’m glued to his words.
Aidan:We had a great time tonight. What the hell was that?
Aidan:I can’t believe you would embarrass me like this.
Aidan:Mr. Carlson might be backing out of the deal because of you.
Aidan:Four years, Charlotte. FOUR!
Somehow, the number of years we have been together never dawned on him any other time. I’ve gotten everyone’s attention with one kiss. The anger permeates my body that if someone did a CT scan at this very moment, it would just show red burning within me.
“Is everything okay?” Holden’s voice is neutral and calm.
“As well as it can be considering—” I waggle my finger between him and me.
“Why did you do it?”
“Optics, Holden,” I say flatly.
Holden’s neutral expression has dropped, showing somber eyes and a slightly downturned smile. A similar expression to the photo that I found hidden behind his TV when I visited his house weeks ago.
“I am going to step outside to make a call. Be right back.”
“Be careful.”
His Tom Ford black dress shoes glide to the window, opening the curtains to show a swarm of paparazzi that haven’t left yet. A village of tiny ants viewed from the eighteenth floor.
“I think I’ll make the call in the bathroom.”
“Good choice.”
He slips me a smile for a microsecond.
I open the door to notice the empty marble tub. Slithering into it, I position myself to dial his number.
If I call, then this is really it.
I’m going all in on this, and there’s no takesies-backsies.
The call connects. As soon as I hear breathing on the other end of the line, I blurt, “I think I am done.”
“Excuse me?” His voice sounds groggy, as if I have disturbed his sleep.
“Yes. I’m officially calling it quits.”
“Do you know who you are calling?”
“Absolutely.”
“Ms. Tate, you will never come back from this. Come back to me in the morning when you aren’t inebriated.”
“Chris, I am still quitting. For your information, I’m completely sober.”
