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She felt something when we kissed. She showed her cards.
I can’t pretend she doesn’t exist, even if she begged me to. It’s impossible. I’ve tried.
“Fuck,” I mutter, realizing I need to halt this train of thought before I get too deep with her.
I need the Ice Queen out of my head, even though I know she’ll never be out of my life. Our social circles are already too intertwined.
A knock on my office door pulls me from my thoughts. I’m surprised to see my brother.
Nick steps inside. “Wow. You’re still here.”
“Not for long,” I tell him, realizing I’m getting nowhere. I lock my computer, signaling the end of my day. All I want is a bourbon, a hot shower, and a good night’s sleep.
Nick sits in the chair across from my desk. “About earlier?—”
“Don’t apologize.”
“I wasn’t planning to. I’m genuinely concerned about you. You can’t keep going at this pace,” Nick says.
He’s the only one who truly understands how hard I work.
“You’ve been saying that for the past year, and I’m still pushing through. Besides, why does it matter? This is all I have.”
He crosses his arms. “You have no work-life balance. Thiscompany is the cause of your current circumstances, not the effect, Ash. I know you work your ass off for Eden, and I respect the hustle, but somewhere along the way, you’ve lost yourself. All you do is work, eat, sleep, and repeat. It’s a toxic cycle, and you’re stuck in it. Our sister wouldn’t have wanted this for you.”
This is the last conversation I want to have right now.
“I have a lot on my plate. Once I finish the contract with Lustre, I’ll take a vacation. I promise. Right now, I can’t. Too much is at stake.”
“Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice. I’m really sorry, but,” he says, sighing heavily, “the board thinks you’ve pushed things too far with Billie. You need to step away for a little while.”
“Please tell me you’re not enforcing this.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Ash.”
“It takesyourvote, Nick,” I say through clenched teeth.
“You’re damn right it does. And you know who I thought about when I made my decision today?Eden.She’d have been furious, seeing you like this. You’re exhausted, angry, and lonely. Wake up before you crash and burn.”
“I’m wide awake,” I snap back. “My eyes are open for the first time in years. Maybe even a decade. You haveno ideawhat’s on the line. Forcing me to take leave is a huge fucking mistake.”
“We’ll see in a week,” he replies, unfazed by my outburst.
“That’s too long.” I glare at him.
“It can be extended to ninety days if this keeps up.” He looks me over. “Humble yourself before I have to do it for you. Now, I know you’re pissed at m?—”
I nod, feeling my heart rate increase. “Oh, I’mverypissed.”
“Yeah? You’ll get over it. Anyway, I’m meeting some friends tonight at Diamond. Want to join me?”
“No,” I reply.
“Come on. It’ll be good for you. Trust me. For once,” he says, and I catch a glimmer in his eyes.
“Why?” I see right through him.
“It would be in your best interest.” He shrugs. “I’m leaving now. A car is waiting downstairs.”