The hopeful expression on Luka’s face fell immediately and he let loose a choked sound when she turned and mainly ran from the occasion corridor. I stood there, frozen, uncertain who to go to subsequent. Julie regarded actually upset, however so did Luka. I reached for him, however the minute my hand settled on his shoulder, he shrugged me off, stepping away.

“Don’t.”

My intestine tightened, and I moved round him to look him within the face. “Luka, I feel–”

He jerked his head to the aspect, shutting me out. “This was a silly fucking concept. I shouldn’t have–” He gritted his enamel, the ache heavy within the air. “I must prepare for my speech.”

He stormed off, leaving me standing there watching him. It stung after every thing we’d been by way of. I attempted to be understanding, Julie’s response wasn’t what he wished to listen to, but it surely damage all the identical.

Turning on my heel, I went in search of her. One thing was up along with her. In all of the eventualities I’d run by way of my head, I hadn’t ever anticipated her to close down like that. She regarded upset earlier than he even talked to her, so I wasn’t totally certain it was even about us. I jogged towards the door, trying across the crowded entryway, however she was nowhere in sight.

I noticed a flash of pink getting right into a cab proper as I stepped exterior, but it surely was gone earlier than I had an opportunity to get a superb take a look at her. Operating my fingers by way of my hair, I let loose a annoyed groan. Every little thing was turning to shit so quick it made my head spin. Julie was upset. Luka was crushed. I had no concept what was taking place with Grayson, however I acquired the sensation he was concerned since I knew he wouldn’t need Julie to go away alone tonight.

A well-recognized helplessness settled over my shoulders. I had no concept what to do to repair it. It felt like I used to be being pulled in a number of instructions, none of which had a cheerful ending. I stood exterior, staring on the line of taxis, till it began to rain and I needed to head again in. I by no means anticipated tonight to finish like this.

* * *

I attempted calling Julie a number of instances that evening. Her telephone went straight to voicemail. I acquired nervous at one level and thought of going to her place, however I second guessed myself. The final time I attempted to assist, I ended up screwing over Luka’s happiness within the course of. I shouldn’t have gotten concerned. Perhaps I shouldn’t have gotten concerned in any of it. This all felt somewhat bit like my fault. I used to be the one who discovered Julie. I used to be the one who volunteered to share her. I used to be the one who began playing around with Luka. I used to be messing with my buddies’ happiness all as a result of I used to be egocentric and wished them to stay round.

I spent the remainder of the weekend at dwelling, making an attempt to determine methods to repair this. I attempted calling all three of them, however nobody picked up the telephone. Not even Grayson. By the point Monday rolled round, I used to be so tense, all my muscle tissue had been screaming at me, and I hadn’t slept quite a lot of hours. I didn’t like issues being like this. I did not know what I’d should do to make it proper, however I wanted to attempt. I couldn’t lose my buddies.

I went to Grayson’s workplace first. I figured he’d be there. At any time when he didn’t decide up his telephone, it was as a result of he was working. I assumed Julie can be at her desk and I may verify in along with her too, however after I acquired there, her desk was empty. Solely her assistant was there, and he or she flashed me an apologetic smile after I arrived.

“Good morning, Mr Reid. I’m afraid Mr Andrews is busy in the mean time, however in order for you, I can depart a message letting him know you had been right here.”

I frowned. I knew he was busy. Grayson was all the time busy, however he by no means turned me away earlier than. He’d let me sit in his workplace whereas he labored till he had a minute to speak to me. Julie would all the time smile and ship me in, even when Grayson was on the telephone.

“The place’s Julie?”

Her expression faltered, and her smile regarded extra like a grimace. “I’m unsure. She didn’t present up this morning.”

Unease settled in my abdomen and I marched into Grayson’s workplace, ignoring the assistant’s protests.

Grayson sat behind his desk, evident at paperwork and rubbing his temples. He regarded like shit, which solely made me extra nervous. If Julie was right here, he’d be taken care of and never slowed down with work. One thing wasn’t proper.

“The place’s Julie?”

He barely glanced up at me. “What?”

“Julie. Your girlfriend. Our girlfriend. The place the hell is he?”

He made an irritated noise, sitting up. “I don’t know, Bennett. She’s in all probability working. I–”

“Her assistant stated she didn’t present up this morning. You’re actually so self-centered that you simply didn’t discover she wasn’t right here?”

That caught his consideration, and his head whipped up. “What the hell, Ben?”

Growling, I stomped over to his desk, grabbing the telephone and dialing Luka’s workplace. He is perhaps ignoring my telephone calls, however he wouldn’t ignore a piece name from Grayson.

“What?” he snapped.

“Stand up right here. Now,” I demanded, hanging up earlier than he may argue. Marching again to the open doorway, I barked on the assistant. “When Luka comes up, ship him by way of.”

She jumped, startled, however I pushed the guilt away, shutting the door roughly behind me. Grayson was observing me now, a mixture of irritation and confusion on his face.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into you, however you possibly can’t deal with our staff like that. What the hell is happening with you?”

“Me?” I snapped. “You’re the one who’s ignoring what’s proper in entrance of you. Julie isn’t right here! She hasn’t missed a day since that douchebag humiliated her, however she’s not right here! Why don’t you care?”

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