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“Why are you doing this to me?” I whispered, my eyes beginning to burn.
“Wh-what?” he stammered, pulling his face from mine.
I shoved him away from me and shook my head, feeling angry at myself for getting lost in him. Feeling angry at him for whatever game he was playing. Maybe the flowerswerefrom him. Maybe he and Veronica were in on everything together. Maybe this was something billionaires did for kicks.
“Monica…” He looked at me, his eyes softening with confusion as he searched my face.
He took another step toward me, reaching out for me. I reached behind me for the lock and turned it. I quickly opened it and swiftly walked out before he could touch me again.
“I’m taking a personal day,” I called behind me as I quickly grabbed my purse and walked down the hallway toward the elevators. How my legs were working was beyond me.
Chapter 40
Troy
Istared at the door that Monica had just walked out of and ran my hand through my hair in frustrated confusion. What the hell had just happened? When I had come up with a plan to win her back, this was not how I expected it to go.
I had come up with the plan last night after I had finished her novel. I thought since there were some similarities between the relationship in the book and ours, that it was kind of perfect. Both lost in the passion of being intimate, while keeping it a secret from the world. It was like she wrote us into existence. Though the couple didn’t end up together, I wanted Monica and I to have a different ending.
So I memorized the speech that she wrote in the book. The one where he tries to win her back. I thought if I recited it to her, she would understand that I was sincere in trying to get to know her. Her life. Her work. I wanted to know everything.
I also wanted to see if the style of seduction she wrote about would work on her. For a moment, I thought it might. She was so close. I could almost taste her and her caramel eyes were fixed on mine as our breathing fell into sync. I had dreamed of that moment for weeks on end. But then the moment was over and she was pushing me away, leaving like she couldn’t get away from me fast enough.
I sat down at my desk, a long sigh escaping me as I put my head in my hands. I went over the speech again, whispering it to myself. I wondered where I had gone wrong. She looked so upset. I couldn’t bear the thought that I had caused her more tears, and not knowing why was eating me alive.
I had to talk to her, but first, I needed to talk to my sister. Maybe she could give me some insight into what I did wrong. This was her genius idea, after all. I picked up my phone and dialed Erica’s number.
“Hello?” she answered groggily, picking up on the third ring.
“Are you asleep?” I asked in surprise, checking my watch. It was nearly ten.
“It’s my day off.”
“It’s Monday.”
“Yeah, well the printers are down again. We’re working from home.” She yawned.
“Can I come over?” I asked.
“Only if you bring me coffee.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Fine.”
“Vanilla latte. Sprinkle of cinnamon.”
“Yes, yes. I know. I’ll be there soon.”
I cleared my morning meetings myself, since Monica had left. I didn’t care what Kathy would say, and snuck out before she could lecture me. As if she wasmyboss. I stopped by the coffee shop on the way to Erica’s apartment. On the twenty-minute cab ride, I replayed the moment with Monica that had gone all wrong. I wanted to make sure I had it straight when I explained it to Erica. I hoped she could give me a woman’s insight.
Erica buzzed me in the three-story brick building and I took the stairs, as there was no elevator. Our places were vastly different. You would never guess she was the daughter oftheBryce Gunner, and she didn’t really like to announce it. She was always set on carving her own path, probably just to piss off him and his misogynistic ways.
I knocked on her door and listened to the slow shuffle of footsteps inside. She opened the door with a large comforter wrapped around her like an Eskimo, sleep still in her eyes.
“Aww, you didn’t have to dress up for me,” I said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes and held out her hand. “Gimme.”