Page 640 of Manhattan Bossholes

“Sit down,” he pointed to a chair-shaped mound of clothing in the corner of the room. “Just throw all that stuff on the ground.”

Normally I’d beg off getting into a deep discussion about my life. Tyler was usually the one in need of counseling. But this time?

Yeah, I needed his help.

I placed the clothing on the ground and eased myself onto the chair.

“Talk to me,” he said.

I was exhausted, and I didn’t feel like going into my mess, but there was something about Tyler’s face that struck me. He wanted to help me for a change.

“Well, you know about the whole CamLicity fiasco,” I began slowly.

He perched on the edge of his bed, studying me. “Yeah, I know that turned into a mess, but you’ve been through tough Veritique stuff before. It’s not just that.”

“Well, there are memes calling me ‘Boss Baby,’ so I’d say this one hits a little closer to home than most.”

He tried to stifle a laugh and wound up snorting. “Boss baby? Are you serious? That’s pretty fucking funny.”

I frowned at him.

“Sorry. Anyway, I’m not going to beg you to tell me what’s wrong, but I am going to sit here and stare at you until you do.”

I opened my mouth to start talking but couldn’t figure out how to piece my racing thoughts together.

“It’s Felicity, right?”

I let out a long exhale. “Yeah. She’s quitting.”

“Oh, come on, dude. Man up and admit what’s really bothering you. Yeah, it sucks that she’s quitting, but the way you’re moping has nothing to do with work. You’re pissed at yourself for what went down with her. At how you handled everything.”

I nodded.

“Cam, you’ve given me enough pep talks to last a lifetime. Now it’s my turn.”

“Okay.” I gave him a wry smile. “I’m all ears.”

“Here’s my summary: you’re being stupid. Just fucking admit you still care about her.”

I struggled with the thought. I’d tried to deny it for too long, and look where it’d gotten me. I needed to try being honest, starting with myself.

“…I do.”

“Okay, now we’re rolling,” Tyler said eagerly. “Time to go deep, brother. Is it more than care?”

I frowned harder at him. I wasn’t ready to go there, with him or myself.

“I don’t think I can answer that question right now,” I said, starting to feel defensive. “Besides, she wants nothing to do with me. She won’t even respond to a work email.”

I quickly checked my email on my phone and saw that I was right. No response.

“Oh, please,” Tyler said. “If anyone knows about second chances it’s me. You have to at least shoot your shot.”

I didn’t respond.

“So, you’d really be okay with letting her go? Not fighting for her? Try picturing her with another man. See how that feels.”

My hands clenched into fists.