Page 34 of I Choose You

Without thinking about our past and disregarding the fact we’d be working together, it could have been the start of something to build on. Not knowing how to interpret him or the feelings he was causing to come to the surface, I felt unsure about it all.

“I’ve gotten stronger, but Kaden makes me feel…”

Rena frowned. “Less than? Fuck him then.”

I shook my head. “No.” I drank more water while searching for a way to describe it. Keep it simple and honest. “He makes me feel unsettled.”

Now she grinned. “Unsettled?”

“He makes me feel like I’m standing on rocky ground.”

She winked. “Sounds fun.”

All I could do was smirk.

“Look,” she said as she stood. Her bangles clinked together as she crossed her arms. Lifting her face sent her beaded earrings swaying. “I think this is a good thing.”

I scooched up to sit and hug my pillow. “To be unsettled?”

“I think it’s good for you to have a little mystery in your life. To have some unexpectedness. You’re so razor-focused on work.” She plowed on despite my pout. “Being a workaholic can be good. You’re driven. Determined. Both good things. But coupling them with perfectionism and not knowing when to slow down and take a breather ever, that’s risky business.”

“It was unexpected to see him at work. I’ll grant you that, but that’s just it. I know Kaden.”

“Back then.”

I nodded and yawned. This topic wasn’t boring in the least but I needed more rest to function like I should. Mentally and physically. Still, I had a point to make. “I know what to expect from him. The old him. And being unable to predict him now is throwing me off. I need to know what to expect from him now to be able to decide how to move forward.”

Rena lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “What are your options?”

“Well, I can’t get out of working with him. Todd was firm that I handle the account.”

“Right. Other than that. What are your options?”

“I don’t know.” I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet.

“You could get your revenge. Settle the score with him from what he did in high school.”

I shrugged.

“You could get to know him as a friend. An acquaintance you happen to also do business with.”

I nodded. “Sure.”

“Or you could consider he could be a nice guy now. A decent man who ‘unsettles’ you. Someone you might want to do more than catch up with.”

Now that was looking too far ahead. Too fast.

“You want my advice?”

Snuggling into my pillow, I huffed. “I have a hunch you’ll give it to me regardless if I want it.”

She smiled and lifted a hand. “Just see what happens. See where it goes. You want to have dinner again, then do it. You want to seek revenge, cool. You want to just say your piece and get closure on that stuff when you were teenagers, also cool. It’s your call, Brooke. Like you said, you’re not the same girl you were in high school. You’re a determined, headstrong, kick-ass woman now, and no matter what happens or what he says or does, nothing will change that.”

I sighed into the pillow. “Thanks, Rena.”

“I think he’s a chance for you to break out of the rut of workaholism. Having something a little different and undecided stirring up your obsessively perfect life isn’t necessarily a bad thing.” She retreated toward the door. “Just look at you now. He’s already affecting you. You’re still in bed. You’re not rushing to the gym. God forbid you sleep in for once when it’s not scheduled.” She mocked me with a woeful expression.

“Pretty sure the alcohol is at fault for that.”