I turned to take a look at him, arms on the again of the chair I’d simply occupied. The look on Reed’s face went straight to my coronary heart. The man clearly liked his daughter, and who might blame him? I liked her too.

“Deal with her,” Reed mentioned. “When you don’t, I’ll kick your ass.”

7

HARLEY

The condominium was empty once I stepped inside. All that remained was a notice on the whiteboard we saved close to the door.

Gone to The Dick was written in Taylor’s writing. “The Dick” was what we known as Whiskey Dick Bar. Beneath Taylor’s notice, Carly had written, You’d higher not beat us again right here.

I rolled my eyes and closed the door behind me. It was for the very best that I had the place to myself. The rideshare driver needed to endure my relentless sobbing on the five-minute drive right here. Not less than I might spare my roommates.

I headed straight to the freezer. I yanked the door open, pulling out the emergency pint of ice cream. As single girls, dwelling within the metropolis, we by no means knew after we have been going to have a motive to grieve. It may very well be job-related or it might should do with courting. 9 instances out of ten, it needed to do with courting.

I tossed the lid on the counter, grabbed a spoon, and headed to the couch, pulling the massive, mushy throw blanket from the again of the sofa. There was one thing comforting about snuggling beneath it within the wintertime.

I stared on the Christmas tree the three of us had put up a few days in the past. The glow from the lights blurred as my eyes crammed with tears as soon as once more. The way in which-too-cheery opening notes of “It’s Starting to Look a Lot Like Christmas” rang by the condominium.

My telephone ringer. I’d left my telephone within the pocket of my coat, which I’d tossed on the chair on my option to the kitchen. Whoever was calling might simply go to voicemail. It was in all probability both Nic or my dad, making an attempt to make me really feel higher in regards to the drama that had simply occurred. I wasn’t .

“I’m an fool,” I mentioned to no person specifically.

We wanted a pet. A fish or a turtle a minimum of. One thing I might discuss to when nobody else was round.

I’d slept with my future boss, pondering it was love. I laughed on the thought, dipping the spoon into the creamy caramel-chocolate chip concoction. I used to be nothing however a fast lay to him. That’s all I’d ever be.

I slid a beneficiant spoonful of ice cream into my mouth and closed my eyes, making an attempt to savor the flavors. I tasted nothing. Nice. I couldn’t even get pleasure from my favourite dessert.

Sighing, I shoved the spoon again into the ice cream and set it on the espresso desk. Then I sat again and stared on the tree. How lengthy till I acquired my happiness again? Hopefully quickly. I didn’t need this to spoil my total Christmas.

I’d stop the job. I’d let Nic know there was no manner I might work for him. Over time, perhaps I’d neglect the love I believed I’d seen in his eyes when he checked out me, however seeing him each day within the workplace wouldn’t get me there. In all probability ever.

A crisp ding-dong, adopted by the sound of canine barking, alerted me that somebody was on the door. Carly had chosen that doorbell, saying it could scare off burglars. No person with any sense would imagine that prerecorded sound was precise canine, however it was enjoyable, so we’d gone together with it.

I tossed the blanket apart and shuffled my option to the door. I’d stepped out of my excessive heels sooner or later. I had no concept when. The entire night was a blur at this level.

The final time I’d taken this stroll, Nic had been standing within the entryway. He’d had that look in his eyes that made me really feel like probably the most lovely girl on this planet. What number of different girls had he provided that look? Perhaps that was a part of his appeal. He made a girl really feel like the one lady on this planet…till he was finished along with her.

I’ve been so naïve then. So harmless. It was a foolish thought, contemplating it had been lower than an hour in the past, however it flashed by my thoughts, anyway.

I finished on the door, realizing my telephone was nonetheless in my coat pocket. The doorbell digital camera I wanted to see who was outdoors was solely accessible by telephone app. We didn’t have a peephole—one thing I’d identified could be a foul factor if the doorbell digital camera ever failed.

“Who’s it?” I known as out.

“Me.”

That was Nic’s voice. Solely then did I understand I hadn’t stopped to query who could be on the door at this hour. No person ever stopped by unannounced, and any customer must be on the checklist to get previous safety.

However Nic could be on the checklist. He’d been placed on the checklist earlier that day. If the safety guard had questioned why he and I would go away collectively and return individually, it hadn’t stopped him from letting Nic by.

“I’m superb,” I mentioned. He was simply coming to test on me, little doubt. He was nervous I used to be upset. “You’ll be able to go dwelling.”

There was clear emotion in my voice, regardless of how robust I attempted to sound. I didn’t need him to know I’d been crying, however it didn’t matter. He’d go on together with his life and neglect he’d ever met me quickly sufficient.

“I’m not leaving till you open this door,” he mentioned. “We have to discuss.”

“I don’t want to speak to you,” I mentioned. “I get it.”

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