Page 100 of Everything She Wanted

Matt comes waltzing in and sits next to Nick. “Hey, nice of you to make an appearance,” he jokes as he looks over at Nick.

“Nish.” He tips an invisible hat to me.

I smile despite everything.

“Hey, Matt.”

He looks over at Nick. “Dude, you look like hell,” he says, not one to mince his words.

“You always know how to make a guy feel great.” Nick’s voice is filled with irritation, and I’m not used to it.

“They must have put you through the wringer over there.”

“Something like that,” he says. “Anyways, bring me up to speed on what I missed.”

We somehow manage to get through the meeting with Matt helping to defuse the mood. I can do this. It will just be for a few more weeks, and then I’ll never have to worry about seeing Nick again. I don’t know why I’m not more relieved by that.

We walk out of the boardroom just as Jess comes careening down the hallway with the biggest flowers I’ve ever seen: peonies.

“Nisha, these are from your boyfriend, or, should I say, soon-to-be fiancé.” She gives me a little grin. The flowers are a lovely, soft pink that resembles freshly spun cotton candy set in an intricately decorated porcelain vase wrapped with a golden ribbon. They smell like heaven.

She glances at the laptop in my hand. “Here, I’ll help you take them to your office since your hands are full.”

“Thanks, Jess.”

“Wow, a nice car and flowers. This guy’s the full meal deal,” Matt says, making me wish I could turn myself invisible.

“Coffee?” Nick says to Matt in a gruff tone. I don’t look over as I don’t want to see the expression on his face.

“Sure. See you ladies later.” They walk off.

Jess is gushing all the way to my office, and her normally infectious enthusiasm isn’t doing anything to lighten my mood.

“Where would you like these?”

“By the windows would be great, thank you.”

I plug in my laptop at my desk, walk to the window, and then brush my fingers over the soft petals before opening the card.

I know it’s not your birthday but I wanted to make you as happy as you make me. Love, Eshaan.

“You’re so lucky, Nish. You don’t know how hard it is to find someone half decent.” I place the card back in the envelope. I should be happy, but that’s the last thing I feel right now.

“The dating scene not going well?”

“Remember Daniel, I told you about? We went out on a few dates, and it was going great. And this weekend, I stayed over, and the next morning, he was scrolling on his phone for two hours.” She lets out an exasperated sigh. “I mean, what could be that compelling when you have a naked babe in your bed?” She shakes her head.

“Oh, Jess. You deserve so much better than that.” I mean it. Jess is kind, sweet, and so pretty—even more so because she doesn’t realize it.

“I know.” She shrugs. “Anyways, he’s out.”

“What about Matt?” I throw his name in the ring.

“Oh, he doesn’t even notice me.”

“Maybe I can help?” The two of them would be so wonderful together.

“Really?” Her eyes light up.”