Page 51 of Manhattan State of Mind

The room falls deadly silent, some clearly disappointed we’re not heading to Sin City, others wishing they weren’t heading anywhere at all.

My eyes lock with Lucy’s, the one person whose reaction I’m truly interested in.

I soften my tone. “Lucy, if you’d rather not come, I understand. Say the word. But I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

The multitude of emotions playing across her face twists my gut, but she gives a resolute nod.

It’s a strange disconnect considering the countless hours we spent at that place, the cabin she once called her “sanctuary.” Maybe I’m arrogant, but I know she loves it there. Nestled in the Hudson Highlands, surrounded by rolling hills, it’s breathtakingly beautiful.

Taking her back there might kickstart some memories for her. Ideally, reignite her feelings for me.

Plus, I know her therapy schedule for next week; I’ve been keeping tabs on her progress.

If she’d just let me buy that damn apartment of hers, she’d have her own sanctuary every night. She would be free.

Instead, her pride won’t let her accept my help, so she continues to reside above some grimy sex shop with a clown who goes by the name Spider. His security check revealed his real name is William.

A few of the team shift uncomfortably in their seats. One guy clears his throat so violently he might be choking. Am I being an asshole, demanding they drop everything for work? Probably. But the pay is generous enough for them to endure the occasional inconvenience.

No one dares to object. No one says they can’t attend.

Hackathons are tough. The name is misleading to people outside the business—it started with hackers and grew to be a wider practice for IT departments. The basic principle is to lock talented techies and creatives in a room until they generate the needed solutions.

It sounds cruel but they thrive on the challenge. This is their playground. This is where they shine.

“No problem, JP,” Taylor shrills. Annoying as hell, but the woman gets shit done. “This sounds like an excellent plan. Could you share the objectives so we can ensure we meet them for you?”

My gaze stays locked on Lucy as I answer their questions.

The urge to have her in my place again, to imprint myself on her memory in every way possible, overwhelms me. I have to force myself to look away before I embarrass her.

Is it worse to be forgotten or to be hated?

That’s the million-dollar question. If Lucy doesn’t remember me, there’s the possibility of a fresh start. Erase the past, start from scratch. I don’t want Lucy to remember how much I hurt her.

The catch? That’s like living with a ticking time bomb, knowing she’ll find out eventually. An invisible noose around my neck. But maybe, just maybe, I can make her fall in love with me again before she discovers the truth.

A fresh start. A do-over. Not many people get one of those.

FOURTEEN

Lucy

Wolfe towers over me, his voice taking on a menacing rumble. “Let me ask you something, Lucy. Do you enjoy playing dress up?”

I stare at him, struck dumb. Every drop of blood in my body rushes to my face. Did the head honcho of Quinn & Wolfe really just ask me that?

“Are you referring to Comic Con?” I choke out.

“I think we both know what I’m really talking about here,” he growls. The room seems to shrink as he grows larger in my view, his head soaring upward until it hovers near the ceiling, the same size as my get-well-balloon head.

This fucking man. I can’t handle him.

I bolt from his office out onto the floor.

Brenda from marketing stares at me in horror. There are gasps from all around. Why is everyone gawking at me?

I look down. Oh my God. I’m wearing the Miss Nova outfit with the nipple holes. I try to cover my bits but the damage is done. They’ve seen everything.