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She hooks her arm through mine and leads the way out of the building. “All right. I know this cute little shop a couple of blocks up that sells the most adorable handmade bags. Maybe they’re something your mom might like.”
“Lead the way.”
It’s impossible not to think of Lee all afternoon as I pass kids and adults with his jersey on, but I force myself not to wallow. At least now that I’ve made the decision to talk to him, I don’t feel as much like I’m in limbo. By the end of the day, I should have some certainty or closure on what I had with Lee.
I arrive home right before dinner, and when I step off the elevator onto my floor, I come to a stop. Lee’s sitting on the floor with his back against my door.
He stands as soon as he sees me. “Hey, sorry. I needed to talk to you and figured this would be the best way to catch you since you’re avoiding me.”
My cheeks heat because we both know I blocked him.
I walk toward my door, pulling my key from my purse. “I was actually going to call you tonight.”
He looks at the floor and pushes a hand through his hair. “You heard the news. That’s why I’m here.”
I unlock the door and push it open, leaving it ajar for Lee to follow me inside. “I did, yeah. Have to say… I’m surprised.”
“The goddamn press… always breaking news before I’m ready.” He closes the door behind him then looks around my living room as though he’s trying to catalog it for changes.
It’s weird to have him back in my space again, but not in a bad way. In a way, it makes me realize how barren and empty the place has felt since he was last here. I hang my purse and my coat on the hook near my front door, then turn to face him.
“What are you talking about?”
He throws up his hands. “I had a whole grand gesture I was working on, and those assholes screwed it up with that report.”
A smile ticks up one corner of my lips. “Grand gesture?”
“Yeah, you must know what that is, right? You’re a girl. I assume you do. Miles said something about romance novels?”
I cross my arms and press my lips together to keep from laughing. He seems so thoroughly miffed, it’s hard not to find him funny. “I understand the general concept, yes.”
“It doesn’t matter now.”
“Why don’t you give me the general gist of what is involved?”
He follows me to sit on the couch. “I was brainstorming grand gesture ideas with the guys—”
I hold up my hand. “Wait. You and the guys were sitting around talking about ways you could win me back?”
He nods and gives me a look like “of course we were.” “Yeah. Miles asked me what you want most and I knew the answer was to have your job at the Kingsmen back and for us to be together.” He looks at me with question-filled eyes—did he get it right?
I debate playing harder to get, but the truth is, I’ve missed this man. Any ire I felt at losing my job is now appropriately directed at Giles Hanover, so I nod.
He blows out a relieved breath. “So I called Jaron and told him to start working on getting me traded to Seattle or Los Angeles when my contract is up.”
“I don’t understand. Why?”
He takes my hands. “It’s not fair that you’re the only one who lost something. I was naive not to figure they’d do exactly what you told me they would do. And you tried to warn me, but I thought I knew better. I realize now that because I’ve been in a position of privilege for so long, I got used to things working out for me. So I told Jaron, Seattle or Los Angeles because they’re the closest for me to fly back and forth to San Francisco, where you are. If I leave, you’re free to get your job back—if that’s something you want—and even if you don’t, it just seemed right that I should make a sacrifice too.”
I’m speechless for a moment as I replay everything he said over again in my head. My hands come up to cover my mouth. “You left the Kingsmen for me?”
He looks so hopeful when he nods.
“You stupid man.” I stand. “There’s no sense in both of us losing what we want.”
He looks stunned for a beat. “I thought this would make you happy. It’s my grand gesture.”
I bring my palm to his face. “Watching you lose your dream does not make me happy. Besides, I wouldn’t go back to work for that asshole Giles Hanover anyway. I’ll figure something else out.”
