Page 7 of The Truths We Find

I don’t even know where to start. Alexa is my best friend. The fact I’ve never told her about Gavin in the first place is probably already going to piss her off. But that was a part of my past I wanted to forget.

“Um, hello. Still waiting for the details about Mr. Three-Piece Suit,” she says eagerly.

“We… we dated my last year of college,” I manage to get out, the words heavy. “Then he was supposed to meet me here in California when I got my first job, but he never got on his flight. Next thing I know, he’s calling saying it’s over. Saying this was never anything serious for him, and that I was crazy if I thought he would pack up his entire life to move across the country for someone after such a short time.”

“Holy fuck, Dani. Yeah, we aren’t leaving this bathroom until I get more info.”

I tell Alexa everything— how Gavin and I met, how effortless it was in the beginning, how eight months somehow felt both fleeting and endless. Somewhere in the middle of it, my vision blurs, and I realize I’m no longer holding back tears. I’m not sure if it’s the pain of reopening an old wound, or the strange relief of finally letting it all out after years of keeping it buried, but this feels unexpectedly good.

“Oh, honey.” Alexa pulls me in for a hug. “So, what you’re saying is, my original comment about hating the new guy is valid now?”

As I pull away, all I can do is laugh. “Yeah, I guess it is.” God, I love her.

“I also think we’re going to need more than a few drinks tonight.” She smiles.

“Have I told you lately how lucky I am to have you as a best friend?”

“I know. I’m awesome.” She wipes the tears from my soaked cheeks. “Now let’s get back in there.”

“You go ahead. I’m going to clean myself up first.”

As Alexa leaves, I quickly grab some tissues to save my red puffy face. “I guess this is as good as it’s going to get,” I mumble to my reflection in the mirror.

I swing open the bathroom door, and as I step into the hall, my body crashes against someone else. “Oh my God! I’m so sorry. I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I rush out in a panic.

When I look up so see who I’ve embarrassed myself in front of this time, I realize it’s Gavin.

Of course it is.

My stomach drops at the sight of him, and the air suddenly feels too thin.

The universe sure has a twisted sense of timing.

“I was hoping I would run into you,” he chuckles awkwardly.

I step to the side, trying to put distance between us, but a large hand catches mine from behind. I stop dead in my tracks. The simple contact sends an unwelcome warmth through my body, and I hate how easily he still affects me. How can something so small make me feel this way? I turn, my gaze dropping to his hand wrapped around mine before looking back to his face. My heart urges me to smile at the man I once loved more than life itself, but my mind is screaming for me to stop. I force myself back into the moment.

“Don’t touch me!” I wrench my arm free.

“I’m sorry, Dani,” he whispers, holding both his hands up. “I… I just can’t believe you’re here.”

“Can’t believe I’m here? What the fuck. This is my station. Why the hell are you here? How are you working in news? And my new boss?”

Pissed doesn’t even begin to describe how I’m feeling right now.

“Listen, it’s kind of a lot to explain here in the hall,” he says calmly. “Let me take you to lunch so we can talk.”

A short, disbelieving laugh slips out of me. “That’s not happening.”

“Dani, we have to work together. So, we need to start getting along, or you at least need to be able to tolerate me. I think going to lunch would help.”

He’s right. As upset as I am at him, we do need to work together. The executive producer and news director always work closely, so if I’m going to keep my job, I probably shouldn’t kill him.

“Fine. Lunch. But Alexa is coming too.”

His face scrunches. “Who’s Alexa?”

“You know, if you’re going to run the team, you should probably do your homework and learn about your on-air talent,” I snap. “She’s coming. End of story.”