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“Uh, okay. A talk about…what?”
“Well, you know, the five of us.”
Just what I’d been afraid of. A roiling sensation slammed through my stomach, and I took a deep breath to avoid vomiting all over the arms of his suit.
“Yeah?” I squeaked.
There it was. He’d come on behalf of the group to tell me they were dumping me. I’d end up alone. And of course, with no promotion. I’d still be the firm harlot and Eva’s whipping post, no matter how hard I worked, for the rest of my days.
How fucked was that? Cato would ignore me at work. Anson would bad mouth me to his evil sister-in-law. Brade would write a song about what a bitch I was that would skyrocket to number one. And Von would send Cher the rat to some other vet to avoid seeing me.
My life would go from being mediocre but generally bearable, to a shitshow of epic proportions.
Even my sister Sparkle would turn on me, furious that I’d let four outstanding men slip through my fingers.
The horror I felt about the life before me must have been written all over my face.
“Maizy, would you relax? You look like someone told you the world was ending in five minutes.”
Well, it kind of was.
“We talked for a long time about how we could help you. There’s a great opportunity ahead of you at the firm. You could really go far, and we don’t want you to let this slip through your fingers.”
I shrugged. “It’s okay. I’m fine with staying where I am at work. The promotion’s not that big of a deal.”
Did I really just say that?
“It’s not going to happen,” I managed to choke out, “and I’ve made my peace with that. I was going to try and figure out which of you guys I would be the best match with, but I couldn’t do it. I’ve fallen for all of you. Instead of hurting anyone, I’m not choosing anyone. It’s done,” I said with authority. “I’m remaining alone, single. On my own.”
Did I really believe that?
“Maizy, stop. Just stop,” he said, holding up his hand. “You have to choose one of us. We understand, and we want you to be happy. We want you to realize your dreams.”
His compassion just about killed me. I jumped from my chair, upending my untouched cappuccino, and made for the door. I didn’t need the entire café to witness my explosion of emotion.
Instead, I ran outside so all of Manhattan could see me lose my shit. I was brilliant that way. And Cato was hot on my trail, so when my shoulders began to shake with sobs, he pulled me to him, letting me bury my face in his expensive jacket and cover it with my tears and runny nose.
“Darling. It will all be okay. We’re going to make sure it is.”
Damn if that didn’t make me cry even harder. How in the hell had I earned the respect and affection of four of the most amazing men I’d ever had the pleasure of knowing—and sleeping with?
I pulled a deep breath to get my heaving under control, and as I did, Cato lifted my face to his.
Ugh. I must have looked like shit. But it seemed he didn’t care, because his mouth was on me in an instant. The very act of his lips brushing mine had this crazy calming effect I couldn’t begin to explain, and my anxiety began to subside. I pulled back to face him, feeling almost all right.
Goddamn, he was a magnificent man. I mean, all the guys were, but Cato’s quiet, serious way was so powerful. I found him irresistible.
Shit, did he have time to come home with me? Probably not.
His gaze was locked with mine.
“It will be okay. You’ve got to believe me,” he said.
I forced myself to nod. “Yes. Yes, I know. Of course it will be. I just don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“It is scary. Look, I know I can speak for all the guys when I say this whole thing is goddamn scary. We’re feeling it, too. Baby, I’ve fallen for you. We all have.”
Well, there it was. The elephant in the room had just escaped and could never be recaptured.
