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He chuckled. “He would’ve been the better choice. What’s up?”
I absolutely could not tell him the burning balls story. One, I’d never hear the end of it, and two, I really didn’t want to spread any more embarrassment for Addison.
“I need to apologize to someone I work with.” Taking her to the Christmas store wouldn’t be enough this time around.
“One of the guys?”
“No, our office manager. I snapped at her.” It was as close to the truth as I could get.
“Isn’t this the second one you made cry?” To Gabe’s credit, he didn’t say this with any amusement but more as a simple, matter-of-fact question.
I huffed a breath. “The first one made a stupid mistake and couldn’t take the criticism. Addison didn’t deserve my overreaction. But yeah, I made her cry.” And felt like a complete dick for it.
“You sorry?”
“Of course I fucking am. I’m calling you, aren’t I?”
“Okay, okay. Make it sincere. And maybe start with a disclaimer about apologies not coming easily to you, so you can soften the blow when it sucks.”
My eyes rolled. “Thanks a lot.”
He laughed as only an older brother would. “Honestly, you just need to mean it. Look her in the eyes and tell her you’re genuinely sorry. What was it about? She screw up on the job or something else?”
“Something else.” The knock sounded on the door. “She’s here. I’ve gotta go.”
“Okay. Good luck. And you know you can call me any time.”
“Thank you.” I appreciated his support.
ChapterSeventeen
ADDISON
It was a good thing I hadn’t eaten anything yet, or I risked creating the scenario in which I puked on Leo’s office floor. Wouldn’t that just cap off his perception of me as a walking disaster?
“Have a seat,” he said in a gruff voice once I walked inside.
I was grateful to sit down. “Are you going to fire me?”
For the first time, my eyes met his, and I was able to witness the shock in his features.
“Of course not. I wanted to apologize.”
“It’s fine.” My face was already heating with the memory.
“It wasn’t fine. It was—”
“A complete disaster. I’m aware.”
His hand gripped the back of his neck. “The only disaster was how I reacted. What I said was uncalled for.”
“It wasn’t, though. It was true. Everything I do is a complete disaster. It’s been that way my entire life.” I hated the way my voice got small, with my old wounds so exposed. Couldn’t I have one thing go right?
“That’s not true at all. Over the last month, you’ve transformed this place into an office people actually want to come to. You’ve made it run smoother, become more efficient and more professional. Your enthusiasm and hard work have made this place better, Addy. Surely you can see it?”
I blew out a breath, tears coming with the unexpected compliment.
He came around to the other side of his desk, sitting on the edge so he could lean down and look me in the eyes. “I should be better about giving compliments.”
