Page 55 of My Office Rival (Keep Your Enemy Closer #2)

CYNTHIA

I paced my office while I waited for Devon’s phone to ring. Pick up, idiot. He was probably surfing or something. I needed this pep talk before I walked into the dragon’s den.

“Hey, sis,” he finally answered.

“Hey, loser,” I responded with affection. “How’s the LA life?”

“It’s great. I met someone last night,” he replied, and I smiled. “I can picture you rolling your eyes right now, but I think she’s the one.”

Devon “met the one” every week, but couldn’t keep a relationship to save his life. He loved love. My chest ached. I’d loved it too, for a few glorious weeks.

“I think I’m going to quit my job, and I need a pep talk.” I whispered the words so no one could overhear. He was silent for a several seconds. “Dev, did I shock you into an early grave?”

“Yes,” he sputtered. “ You are going to quit? You like, love , working. It’s your favorite thing.”

“I do not. Just because we do different types of work.” I was miffed at his perception of me. “I’ll have you know I’m relaxed by law firm standards.”

“I know, I know. I just mean, damn.” He loosed a sigh. “You’re obsessed with winning. So you’re going to another firm, I assume? ”

He sounded resigned, so it was with pleasure that I said, “Nope. I’m going to a temporary role in Texas to do immigration defense. I’ve wanted to do this forever.” I hadn’t confessed my secret dream to anyone but Margo. And now, Jason. Don’t think about him .

“Wow. So if you’ve wanted to do this, why do you need the pep talk?”

“Because I’ll be just like everyone else, Dev.

Just like Mom and Dad. I know it sounds bad.

” I squeezed my eyes shut. “Right now, I live in another world. People listen when I speak. I’m important.

Powerful people—powerful men—follow my advice without question.

I have money to insulate me from difficulties people deal with.

If Mom and Dad or you have issues, I can solve them.

I won’t be able to do that anymore.” I paused.

Was I seeking his blessing for this decision? I guess I was.

“Sis, you know none of us care if you can do that for us. We’ll still love you.

Yeah, it’s nice and I appreciate the hell out of how generous you are, but you should be happy.

And maybe a life with fewer creature comforts and less status would still bring you more happiness than mortgaging your soul. ”

“Are you sure?” I whispered.

“Yes,” he replied with conviction. “Get the hell out of there and don’t look back. Look forward.”

My heart raced and my hands shook slightly as I pushed open the door to Gerald’s office. You got this . Don’t look scared.

“Enter,” he said, before looking up from his document and blinking owlishly. “Oh, hi, Cynthia.”

I smoothed my palms down my skirt and dropped into the chair across from him. Gerald always made me a little nervous. He looked like a kindly old grandfather, but his blood was roughly half gin at any given time, and he didn’t suffer fools.

“I’m giving notice.” The words came out in a rush. His expression darkened. “I’ve taken a position doing pro bono immigration work.” I didn’t want him to think I was going to a competitor.

For a moment, he was silent, and then he rubbed a hand over his face, looking exhausted. “I have to say, I’m sad to see you go.”

“I—thank you, Gerald.” His reaction was unexpected.

“I know you haven’t exactly found your place here, not in the way Margo did, and I regret that.

You’re an incredibly talented lawyer, and I hope you’ll enjoy the work you’ll do at your new job.

” He folded his hands across his belly. “I wanted to do pro bono work at one point, and part of me still wishes I had. Good for you for chasing your dreams.”

I sat, stunned. My eyes prickled with unshed tears. “That means a lot. I’m really excited.” I got up, knowing he preferred to keep conversations short and to the point.

As I turned to go, my throat tight, he said, “Cynthia, I want you to know it would have been you over Brett. And if you ever want to come back, our door will always be open to you.”

I thanked him and scurried back to my office.

I felt lighter, free. I grabbed my phone to text Jason and stopped short.

My stomach dipped. There would be no texting Jason.

There would be nothing with Jason. My hand clenched around the phone.

I couldn’t get rid of him. I thought about him every day.

And for the last three nights, when I went to sleep, I imagined his strong arm banding me to him, with just enough force to let me know he needed the closeness as much, or more, than I did.

I pictured his perfect body moving over me, and the way he called me “sweetheart” in the heat of the moment.

I took a deep breath and sent Margo a message instead.

Cynthia

I did it!

Margo

YES. Drinks?

I met Margo at our favorite downtown dive, the one where we had spent many late nights, and even one Christmas Eve.

She was fresh from the office, in her favorite work outfit—black suit, black loafers, black tank top, all of which looked killer on her with her dark eyes and dark hair.

She looked so content now, even on the days she was tired and sick of trying to reel in new clients.

Andrew had done that. The man had been odious for years, but I could admit that his love for her was the best thing about him.

“Hey there!” She leaped up and gave me a hug, a huge grin on her face. “I got us shots. We need to celebrate.”

“That sounds amazing. I need to get into the celebrating spirit.” I swung my leg over the stool. We clinked glasses and drank. The tequila burned, and I sputtered.

“Did you get the cheapest possible one?” My eyes watered.

Margo slapped me on the back, grinning like an idiot. “They only stock cheap tequila here, or don’t you remember?”

“I guess I forgot.”

“No more fancy shit for you. You’re going to be a small-town lawyer,” she crowed.

“I can’t believe it,” I muttered. “I need another shot.”

She signaled for another and bumped me with her shoulder. “Why so sad? Did Gerald yell at you when you gave notice?”

“Not even. I was shocked. He told me he regretted not doing pro bono work and that I could always come back to the firm. He said I would have made partner over Brett. Honestly, I was touched.” Even repeating the story made me emotional.

“Wow, that’s unexpected. And sweet .” Margo shook her head. “The thought of Gerald being sweet does drive me to drink.”

We took another shot and the burning in my chest as I swallowed dulled the other ache that had been near constant since that night at Jason’s apartment.

“You miss him, don’t you?” Margo’s voice was soft.

“I do.” My throat tightened as she pulled me in for a side hug.

“I’m sorry, babe. Have you talked to him since you left?”

I shook my head. “I’ve started and then deleted a hundred messages. What is there to say?”

“Are you going to see him again? For work? ”

I heaved a sigh. “We have a final meeting tomorrow to talk about next steps. At that point, I assume the litigation partners will handle any inquiries. That will be the last time I ever talk to him.” A bolt of pain went through me.

“Maybe he’ll have a change of heart.” Margo sounded hopeful, but I shook my head.

“He told me he can’t change. He has too much shit in his past, and he’ll never leave the city.

He has so many fears and he won’t even attempt to beat them for me.

I’m not enough.” My voice broke on the last word, and Margo tucked her head against my shoulder.

“It doesn’t even matter. I have another two weeks at the firm, and I’m going to be looking for apartments in Texas for most of that time.

And then another two weeks until I move.

I won’t have time to miss him.” The words tasted false on my tongue.

I would spend every damn minute missing him and wondering why he wouldn’t choose me over his demons.

“Just more proof you can never have it all, I guess.”

Margo sighed. “Yeah, I guess. I just want that for you. And I had a feeling he was special, you know?”

“I hate to admit it, but me too.” I signaled the bartender for another shot.

“Promise me, if he comes to you to apologize, you’ll hear him out.” Margo’s voice was fierce. I looked over at her and her eyes were practically shooting fire.

“Geez, I will.”

“Good, because I almost didn’t make up with Andrew. That would have cost me the best thing in my life.”

“You two are gross,” I said, my voice full of love.

“I know,” she responded and happily slurped her drink. “You love it.”

I did, and I so desperately wanted it for myself. I would never forgive Jason for giving me a taste of love and then ripping it away.