Page 106 of Everything She Wanted

“Look, he’s done in a few weeks, and we barely work together now. He also messaged me last night and apologized.” I try to defuse the situation.

She looks at me with doubt swirling in her eyes. “Okay. Well, if anything else comes up, let me know. I’m good friends with Cathy in HR. She can help with this.”

“No, Jess, please, I don’t want to do that.” I’m acting too desperate, and she can sense it, making her even more wary. She thinks I’m protecting him, but she has no idea that I’m only protecting myself like the shit person I am.

“Okay,” she relents. Her eyes say what her words don’t. I’ll let this go...for now.

We head back to the office, and although I’m pretty sure that Jess won’t say anything, the unease sits with me. Although I’m shit, I still have to tell Nick. Maybe he has a better way for us to deal with this.

He’s not in his office, so I go to mine in hopes of getting some work done, but my mind replays everything in my head.

What have I done?

I wanted to hurt Nick a little, but something like this could destroy his reputation or at least maim it, and the thought makes me feel sick to my stomach. By lunch he still hasn’t shown up and at four, I just can’t take it anymore. I message him.

I need to see you. Please.

I hit send on the text before I can second-guess myself.

His reply is instantaneous. It’s an address. I assume it’s his and then this.

I’ll be home all evening.

I absently scroll on my computer until 5 p.m., and then I fling myself out of my desk chair and out the door like there’s a fire in the building.

The Uber drops me off outside of his expensive-looking high-rise, and I freeze. What the hell am I going to say to him?

Jess thinks you’re a predator and wants to report you to HR, and I’m too scared to tell her the truth because I’m afraid this will get back to Eshaan somehow, and he’ll destroy me, so I let her believe these lies about you. So, I basically threw you under the bus. Okay byeee.

Or what if he thought I was coming by to sleep with him? I wasn’t even sure that wouldn’t happen either. Self-sabotage as Rachel would call it. I’m masterful at it.

I could still leave and just hope that things would blow over, but somehow my feet start moving toward the door, and before I know it, he’s buzzing me in, and I’m in the posh elevator.

I walk to his door in a daze, and he opens it before I even have a chance to knock.

“Come in.”

I walk past him to enter and take in his stunning place. He has modern white furniture, including a stylish daybed in the far corner, a glass coffee table sprinkled with tech mags in front of the sectional leather couch, and a massive TV mounted on the wall.

I continue to look around in awe.

Gorgeous paintings by digital and modern artists are tastefully placed on the walls. The galley kitchen is situated off to the side, featuring a marble island adorned with an ornate silver bowl at its centre. I instantly think of his sister. She’s studying design, and although I only met her once, I can see her influence everywhere.

But the most breathtaking feature is the floor-to-ceiling wall of windows overlooking the ocean. How much exactly is Nick getting paid? I feel a crush of disappointment again, thinking about my promotion or lack thereof, but I push those thoughts away. I’m not here to admire his HGTV condo or lament my salary.

“Can I get you a drink?” he asks, like I’m a proper guest.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Even still, I eye up his liquor cabinet filled to the brim with high-end bottles, along with a crystal decanter and glasses at the ready like he’s a Las Vegas baller.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

I stand behind the kitchen island, and he moves to the other side of it, both of us knowing we need to put some distance between us.

“What’s up? It sounded urgent.”

“Jess had questions about last night,” I say calmly.