“So… this sunny mood you're in has nothing to do with a beautiful blonde who checked out a couple of days ago?” he presses.
I clench my teeth, nails digging into my palms. “I have work to do.”
Josh stares at me, clearly not buying my bullshit, but nods anyway. Pushing the doors open, I hear over my shoulder, “I’m here, man, when you want to talk about it.”
I pause momentarily, half turn, then leave.
There’s nothing to talk about.
She’s gone and was always going to be. So, I just need to deal with it.
Liv
My computer screen stares at me. I answered all emails, and I caught up on everything. Cori did an amazing job running the company in our absence, and we came back with little to worry about and happy clients. We brought coffee for everyone today, and I think that’s probably what they missed most about us while we were away.
Viv catches me staring out the window when she pops her head into the office.
“Hey girl, are you good?”
I don't know.
“Yup, what’s up?” My chair swivels to meet her.
Viv talks, sharing ideas and thoughts she’s had about branching out and bringing in new clients. Focusing on what she’s saying proves to be difficult, but I nod along and hum at the right times. If she asked me to repeat back to her what she just told me, I wouldn’t be able to.
My eyes keep wandering to my phone, fingers feeling twitchy.It’s not like he’ll text me.
Her talking slows, and then finally stops.
“I’m on board with anything. It all sounds good!” I say, perhaps a little too chipper and enthusiastic, earning me a scrutinizing look.
“’Kay…” she says slowly, drawing out the sound. “Then I’ll give EdenReed a call this afternoon.”
“You’ll what?” My chair lurches forward from its semi-reclined position.
“What’s going on with you?” Her tone is demanding, but the frown on her face tells me she’s more concerned than angry.
“What are you talking about?” I wince at the defensiveness in my voice.
“You’re in la-la land. You look exhausted. And you keep looking at your phone like you’re waiting for something. Just text him already!”
“No.”
“Why?”
“WhywouldI?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Because he’s obviously on your mind?”
“Okay, maybe he is. But I think I’m just… hung up because we had sex a few times. I’ll get past it.”
Viv is quiet, eyeing me with an expression that seems mixed between “I don’t believe a thing you just said” and pity.
“Ever think of asking if he’d move here?”
“That’s a bit drastic, don’t you think? Besides, he made a promise to his dad. I will not ask him to break that.” I tug at the lint that doesn’t exist on my shirt, flicking away imaginary specks.
“Ever consider… working from… there?” she asks tentatively, like she’s afraid to say it out loud.
