Maybe that should freak me the fuck out, that I’m so willing to commit a crime to keep this
woman, but it doesn’t. Actually feels pretty logical. She’s been distant this week, and I can’t
figure out where I fucked up. But getting her alone on a deserted island…ok, a luxury deserted island
with a stocked fridge and a plush bed, sounds like the right move.
“She’s pretty incredible, isn’t she?”
I manage to keep from flinching and turn to meet Abby’s knowing eyes. She’s always measuring,
calculating, and I can’t help wondering if I’m coming up short. I’m new at all this relationship shit,
but I’m pretty sure that getting in the best friend’s good graces is pretty damn important. Abby’s the
closest thing to a best friend Maya’s got.
“Yeah, she is. That’s why I chased her so hard.”
Abby crosses her arms and studies me. “You chased her. And you got her. What are you going to
do with her now, boss man?”
The bite in her tone when she says ‘boss man’ raises the hairs on the back of my neck. I glance
back at Maya, leaning over the spreads, surrounded by her whole team, then back at Abby. “Outside.”
She nods and follows without complaint, which is a small blessing, I guess. I’ve felt this
conversation coming, but fuck if I know what I’m going to say. I hold the door to an empty office open
and wave her in. She drops into the chair behind the desk and folds her hands on top. I suddenly feel
like I’m at a job interview. Not that I’ve ever been to one, but I imagine the power dynamic would
feel exactly like this.
“You’ve had something to say to me for a while,” I say, tucking my hands in my pockets and
leaning back against the door. I raise my eyebrow and give her an impassive look, the rest of my body
relaxed, determined not to let her know how uncomfortable I am.
She bites the inside of her cheek as she studies me. “I can’t really figure it out,” she finally says,
tapping her fingers on the desk. “People talk, and the people on this floor talk about you, a lot. Like,
tons. So I know a little about you. And based on everything I’ve heard, the fact that you’re openly
dating Maya is blowing their collective minds.”
I grind my molars together and shove my anger down. “You’re her friend, so I’m gong to try really
hard not to be really fucking offended.”
Her eyes flare, and she leans back in the chair and crosses her arms. “Offended? Why? Because I
mentioned your past? Because I looked you up, and from what I can tell, you seemed quite happy to
