Page 82 of Unexpected

“Fine,” he huffed. “But I’ll be waiting just outside in case you need me.”

I nodded, opening the door to find Preston leaning against the wall with a bag of ice on his hand.

“Preston.” I inclined my head.

Cal brushed past him on his way out, and Preston bared his teeth. I braced myself for another confrontation, but Cal straightened and jutted out his chin before stepping aside.

Preston followed me inside the office, and I shut the door.

“You’re firing me, aren’t you?” he asked before I could even say the words.

I nodded.

He raked a hand through his hair. “Shit. I’m sorry, Alexis. I—”

“Look,” I cut him off, needing to get this over with before I completely broke down. “I don’t like this any more than you do. Luckily, Cal agreed not to press charges or report you to the agency,” I sighed, already dreading what I’d tell Sophia. “Provided you leave immediately.”

“So, that’s it? You’re just going to take his side?” he asked.

Did I want to fire Preston? No.

But it felt like my hands were tied.

I wanted to love him, to trust him, but he’d completely undermined that with his actions. First, forgetting to pick up Sophia. And now, starting a fight with Cal at her birthday party.

I gave a little shrug. “Things were never going to work out between us. We’re at different points in our lives. We want different things.”

“I can see you’ve already made up your mind, so there’s no use trying to convince you otherwise.”

His words struck me. And even though my heart was breaking and tears threatened to fall, I lifted my chin and put on a brave front. What could I say? I was afraid if I opened my mouth, the sobs I was desperately trying to hold back would come pouring out.

He gripped the arms of the chair, standing. “Though I guess I should’ve seen this coming.” His denim eyes were flat when he looked at me. It felt as if he was seeing through me. “You always had one foot out the door. You were always looking for reasons why we couldn’t be together. And now you got your wish.”

He marched toward the door, and I envied his confident, fluid strides. How could he be so strong when I was crumbling? He paused for a moment with his back still to me, hand poised over the knob. Time seemed to stop; my heart seemed to stop.

But then he opened the door and walked through it without looking back.

Oh god.My stomach hardened, a bout of nausea threatening to overtake me.

Juliana peeked her head in a moment later. “It’s time for cake.” She frowned. “You okay?”

I wanted to scream, to cry, to crumple to the floor, but I had a house full of guests and a birthday girl I couldn’t disappoint. So, I straightened, steeling myself to make the most convincing sale of my life—that I was happy and everything was just fine.

“Of course.” I forced myself to smile as I headed out to the backyard.

“Happy birthday to you,” I sang, joining in with everyone else, trying to put my heart into it.

I had no idea how I was going to break the news to Sophia. Or even what I was going to do without Preston. Fortunately, I’d planned to take some time off from work to enjoy the last days of her summer vacation, and Gabriela would be coming back soon. But…still.

When one of the waiters sliced into the cake, the sickly sweet smell of the icing was overpowering. Bile rose in my throat, and I held a hand to my mouth, hoping I wouldn’t be sick.

“I’ll, um—” I forced a smile. “I’ll be back.”

Fortunately, Sophia had a lot to distract her—the cake, her friends, the presents to open. I dashed up the stairs to my bathroom, ignoring the curious stares of the other parents. I didn’t realize Lauren was following me until she entered the bathroom a few moments later.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine.” I gripped the counter for support.