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But of course there’s no signal. Stupid metal cages. And though there’s only one floor to go, it takes forever.
Long enough for me to envision a thousand scenarios. How is it that you can get everything you want and it still feels like you’re missing something?
The elevator pings and I step out into the lobby. I finally have cell service, so I punch at the call icon, and immediately I hear the ring.
But not on my phone. In the lobby. I look over at the bank of seats where visitors wait to be taken up for meetings and he’s there.
Eli’s legs are so long that his knees are hitting the coffee table in front of him. He’s staring at his phone, his hair mussed up, his Mavericks hoodie looking way too good on him.
He lifts the phone to his ear. “Hello?”
“I’m here.” I walk through the security gates and Eli looks around until his eyes alight on me.
And I crumple.
* * *
ELI
As soon as I see her face I want to hit somebody. Probably myself for getting her into this situation. She told me she loved her job, that she didn’t want to lose it. And I pushed and pushed because I wanted us to go public.
Then we did. Spectacularly.
I practically leap over the arm of the sofa to get to her, folding her in my arms.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, looking up at me. Her eyes look like a stormy afternoon.
“I told Holden to turn around. I couldn’t sit at his place while you were facing the music alone.” I stroke her hair with my palm. “I’m so sorry they fired you.”
She shakes her head. “No, that’s not it. Not why I’m upset.”
What could be worse than losing her job? I open my mouth to ask her exactly that and she continues.
“They offered me a promotion.”
My fingers curl into her hair. “What?” I don’t get it. Why’s she on the edge of tears about a promotion?
Hockey players have been known to spend weeks celebrating a win like that.
“They want me to be a partner,” she whispers.
A grin pulls at my lips. “That’s amazing, Mac. I’m so proud of you.” I tip her chin with my finger. “You deserve that.”
“But…” She inhales softly. “What about us?”
I’m still flailing around in the dark here. “What about us? We’ll go celebrate tonight. But don’t you want to see your friends right now? Tell them the good news? You couldn’t have been up in the offices for more than ten minutes.”
“I needed to see you.”
A little bit of my heart explodes. This woman never needs anything.
But she needs me now. And I’m here for her. Always.
“Go up and see them. I’ll stay here and wait. I’ve found this Instagram account with cats.”
“What?”
I wink at her. “They do tricks. I got a full day of entertainment if I need it.” I pat my ass. “I’ve even brought my charger.”
