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New people meant we were going to need an official boss sooner, rather than later. Time to remind Judith, again, that I was the perfect choice for Director of Art.
And we’d be doing this without Phillip.
The reminder swung in fast and threw me off-kilter.
There was a knock and I called, “yeah.”
Addie stepped into the room again, tentative smile back. “Great news, right? And great job. But I knew that.”
Thanks. That was all I needed to say. Probably give her a genuine smile as well. “If he asked you to leave with him, would you?”
Idiot.
Addie stared back, expression blank. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing. Forget it. Thank you.”
“No.” An edge slid into her voice. “We’re not going to forget it or pretend you didn’t say it. We’re not going to shrug this entire thing off. I’m not doing this again. Not for anyone, no matter how much I like you.”
I— She liked me. The words were simple, but they tugged at my heart. I should be focusing on her other words instead. “Doing what?”
She crossed her arms, and the wall she’d just put up was practically tangible. “You’re not the only one sitting at your desk stewing. I’m not a hole for you to stick your dick in. I’m not a doll you don’t want until someone else plays with me.”
Whoa, what?
“I’m okay with the fact that we haven’t labeled our relationship,” she said. “But you don’t get to be pissy at me for violating some invisible set of rules around me that exist only in your head. You will not treat me the way Sean did.”
Oh, shit. “I wasn’t— No. Addie.”
“It’s Adrienne.” Her scowl deepened. “I don’t know if you’re not ready to think about the consequence or if you really do just want what you can’t have, but it doesn’t matter. No one gets to treat me this way.”
“You’re right, and I wasn’t—”
Addie held up a hand, silencing me. “But you were.” She turned away. “I’m going to lunch,” she said loudly enough for her voice to carry through both rooms.
How wrong was it that I was smug she left without more than a glance at Phillip?
I swore I could hear seconds ticking away, though there was nothing around to make that sound. The Jeopardy music was definitely in my head. I couldn’t let the conversation end this way. I caught up with her at the elevator banks, just as the doors closed, hiding her scowling face.
Fuck. It was only a couple stories to the main floor, and I sprinted down the stairs, pulling a stop as the elevator opened and Addie stepped off.
“Nope.” She popped on the p. “I said what I wanted to.”
“Then let me talk.” I fell into step beside her as she left the building.
She jammed her hands into her pockets and shrugged. “Free country.”
“You don’t owe me anything, it’s true. Especially not an explanation or an apology. I’m the one who’s sorry for reacting the way I did. I didn’t have a right.” Good. Leave it at that. “But Phillip’s a fucking traitor.” Bad.
We reached the light at the intersection and waited for it to change, so we could cross. The way Addie clenched her jaw wasn’t encouraging. “Your problem with him isn’t mine. I get why you’re upset, but he was there for me this weekend.”
“I—”
“Would’ve been too, I know.” She stepped off the curb to the coo-coo sounds of the Walk sign. “I’m glad your nieces had you there to take care of them. You don’t get to dictate my friends because you have a problem with them.”
How did she not see…? What could I say to make her understand? Would I be reacting differently if he and I didn’t have the relationship we did. Friends. But more. For a while now. Did he have that with Addie, too?
I struggled for a comeback as we walked into Loading Java. I’d flitted from place to place most of my life. Getting tied down was oppressive. In work. In relationships. Even my college major. When I got to Rinslet, when I had the chance to come here, the impulse to move on evaporated. I’d found a place I belonged.
