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“Miss Smith has been causing quite a frenzy at the café during lunch hours.” Andrea smiled. “The baristas down there let her create her own version of their specialty drinks, and I must say, they taste better than the originals. You should definitely get a taste, Corey.”
“I’ve tasted her before.”
“What?”
I cleared my throat. “Nothing. I’ll be sure to stop by at some point this week and try your drinks, Miss Smith.”
She gave us both a smile and left the room. And just like that, the rest of my day was shot to hell.
“Is it me or does she resemble Mr. Statham, just a bit?” Andrea asked.
I didn’t answer that. “What’s the personal thing you wanted to discuss with me?”
“Us.”
“Come again?”
“You said that it would take you six months to get through the first phase of transitioning for Walters, Inc.,” she said. “You also said you wanted someone by your side when you officially launched your company and that the someone would be your ideal girlfriend or life partner.”
There’s no fucking way I ever said that.“Was I drunk at the time?”
“You might’ve been slightly intoxicated. But, the next day you weren’t, and I told you that I’ve always admired you and am highly attracted to you. You said you’d need time to think about it and I think six months is enough, right?”
I drew a blank. I hardly ever spoke to Andrea about anything other than work, and as attractive as she was, I’d never looked at her as anything more than my colleague.
“I’m not ready for a committed relationship, Andrea,” I said. “I think it’s best if we remain colleagues, and I apologize if I ever led you into believing we’d become more.”
“Wow,” she said, shaking her head. “What a completely different turnaround from what you were saying before. You said I was sexy.”
“You are sexy.”
“You said I was one of the smartest women you’d ever met.”
“You definitely are.”
She frowned, letting out a long breath. “You even said I was enchanting.”
“I’ve never used that word to describe anyone.” I looked at my watch. “I really do apologize if I led you on about the possibility of there ever being an ‘us’ Andrea. There won’t be. Ever.”
“Fuck your apology, Corey.” She rolled her eyes. “Just be honest with me. We’ve been working side by side for all this time, and whether you remember what you said or not, I do. You all but explicitly said that once we get done with the transition from here to Walters, Inc. that I would be more than your partner. You said I would be your girlfriend.”
“I said that, or you assumed that?”
“It was implied.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “So, the least you can do right now is tell me the truth. Is there someone else?”
“Yes.”
“Yes?” She looked like she was about to explode. “YES?”
“Yes, Andrea.” I stood up, finally admitting the truth to myself, even though I was determined to continue fighting it. “Unfortunately, there’s always been someone else.”
