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She makes a motion with her head that wobbles between shaking and nodding. “I don’t know, but this office will miss him if he leaves. I can’t think of one of the current executives that could do this job the way he has.”
My nose scrunches. “Not one of them is fit to run this company,” I say before I can think better of it.
She giggles. “Don’t say that too loud. These walls have ears.”
I grimace, thinking about what these walls have heard over the past twenty-four hours.
“I better get going. I’m meeting a friend for lunch, and I’m gonna be late.”
“Enjoy a long lunch, Raven. You have to take care of yourself, and you’ve been working too many hours. You need a break. I don’t want to see you back here before twelve thirty.”
“Yes, Shelby, I’ll leave on an extended lunch, even though I will feel guilty the whole time.” Rolling my eyes, I rush down to the cafeteria, finding Asher waiting for me.
“Raven,” he says, jumping up from his seat.
We do this awkward dance. To hug or not to hug. Eventually, Asher makes a move and pulls me into a tight embrace.
“I’ve missed you,” he says, lingering a little longer than necessary, and I swear to God, he breathed me in.
This is the longest we’ve ever gone without talking to each other when we’re angry, and I can tell he’s very bothered. He’s been with me through so much, and I can’t help but admit that this divide between us has been excruciating for the whole day it’s been a thing. I’d like to get things back to normal with my friend, even if it means forgiving him probably quicker than I should.
He’s a good guy, and there is no way he would purposely betray my trust.
We take a seat, and he slides my sandwich over.
“You know me so well,” I say, looking down at the turkey pocket wrap, complete with Fritos and a Diet Coke.
“Well, your palate hasn’t changed since you were eighteen. Easy to get it right.”
I snicker. “That is true.” I take a sip of the cold cola. “Tell me what you’ve been up to,” I say, trying to keep the conversation about him.
“You know. The same old, same old. Work, sleep, repeat.”
“I saw you at Silver the other night.”
His eyes widen. “You saw me, and you didn’t say hello?” His face falls, and I can tell he’s hurt.
Shit.
Why do I open my mouth?
“I was there for a work event, and it looked like you were in pretty deep conversation with some suits. I didn’t want to interrupt.”
His mouth forms an O, and he nods. “Yes, I was there with some colleagues. We were discussing a new account that’s keeping all of us very busy.” He takes a deep breath. “But you know I’ll always make time for you, Raven. Always.”
“I know, Ash.”
“Please forgive me.” The words rush from him in one breath. “My boss was talking about approaching Summer again, and it slipped out. All I said was she already took a gig, and we shouldn’t waste our time.” He smashes his lips together, shaking his head back and forth. “As soon as it came out of my mouth, I felt sick to my stomach.”
He’s telling the truth. I know without a single doubt. He looks crestfallen, and I’m internally smacking myself for avoiding him as long as I did.
“We’re fine, Ash. I can see it was an honest mistake. One that I could’ve easily made myself. We’re good,” I press, hoping he knows I mean it.
He cracks a small smile, looking a tad bit relieved.
“For the record, the collaboration with Summer has turned into a bit of a nightmare. She’s a fucking diva.”
I suck in the side of my cheeks, biting down so I don’t say anything.
