“You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for, Megan.” He huffs out a ragged sigh. “As much as I hate to say this, I feel like I have to, as your friend.”
I look up at him, waiting for him to drop the hammer on me with his tough love and words of wisdom.
“That man is in love with you, Megan. I don’t mean a little. I don’t mean infatuation or even lust. I mean thejump in front of a bullet and die for youkind of love. You were harder to read tonight, so I’m guessing he’s the reason your heart is off-limits now. Figure this out before it destroys you.”
He leans over and places a gentle kiss on my cheek. “Is the worst of it over now?”
“Yes. Thank you for helping me through it. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”
“My pleasure, sweets.”
Standing in my shower with the hot water pouring over me, I turn Russell’s words over and over in my mind. Without a doubt, he’s right. I can’t hold it all in any longer and expect to be sane in the end. Though I dread it and it scares the shit out of me, I allow the memories to flood my mind, one after the other. I relive every feeling from that day forward.
I drop to my knees and wail, hoping the white noise of the shower drowns out the sound, so my neighbors don’t call the police. When the water turns cold, I pick myself up and let the last tear float down the drain with the cool water. I dry off and wrap my thick, fluffy robe around me.
It’s time to end this vendetta. It’s time to put the final plans in motion that will sever the ties for good. I’ve concluded that seeing him, talking to him, allowing him in the office with me, having lunch with him, and being around him at all is detrimental to my health and sanity. Drawing out my revenge has come to an end—the rest will be done in one swift motion, allowing me to put it all behind me and never see him again.
With one text to Charlie, it’s all over.
Sell all my shares of Weston Commercial. Then make it a private company.
His reply comes within seconds.
That will bankrupt the company.
My answer is simple.
I know.
