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The whole retreat was a bust, as everyone was worried about us, but I wasn’t the stupid one to plan a trip to the mountains of Minnesota in January.
The last message I’d sent Clark, asked if I could come over and see him. It was read, but never answered. If I knew where he lived, I’d most likely show up, but I’d never needed his information before now.
Cheers are heard outside my small office. I’d been here since seven a.m., hoping to catch him before anyone else, but at nine a.m., almost everyone is here, and they’re of course clapping at his return. I can’t confront him, not now, and I continue to work away on this particular corporate case that had been sitting on my desk upon my arrival.
I want to stand, to look out my windows leading to the reception, but I won’t. Am I hurt that he’s barely acknowledged what we shared? I’d asked the morning we were found if we could talk about us after the hoopla died down and it’s not lost on me that he never answered.
There’s a knock on the door, and I hope it’s Clark. “It’s open,” I call but as the familiar face of my best friend peeks through the door, my heart drops a little. “Micah, what’s up?”
“Just seeing if you’re all right. All the attention has been given to Farmer, and yet you’re the one who saved his life. Must make you mad?”
I’m mad because the only attention I want is from Clark himself, and I’m not getting it. “He’s the one that was sick and sprained his ankle in all of it. I’m fine. I don’t really want the attention anyway.”
He arches one eyebrow as if I’m speaking a foreign language. “You all right? I don’t believe it that you’re okay with the attention your archnemesis is getting.”
He sits down in front of me, waiting for me to spill more.
“Maybe,” I begin, “I’m ready to let this childish relationship of ours go. We’re almost thirty.”
He leans back farther in my chair, as though he’s not leaving until he gets the whole truth. “So, you’re telling me in the four days you were missing you buried the hatchet?” I shrug with a noncommittal answer. “I guess it’s better than burying the hatchet into his back.” He laughs at his idiot response. “I’m so fucking funny. But, look at you two, and just in time, too. Figures. Murphy’s law and all.”
“What do you mean, figures?” I ask of Micah, my eyes skimming some paperwork on my desk.
“You haven’t heard. They picked the associates who applied to the New York branch. They announced it on the first night of the retreat. At first, they thought you two were just late. It’s Farmer and then Nadia Turner from litigation. See, you’re getting rid of him, after all.”
He was chosen for the internship? I knew he applied, but it was a huge competitive pool of lawyers.
“He found out this weekend, according to Rex, that is.”
My own brows raise. “You and Rex now pals, after he stole Shayna from you?”
It’s his turn to shrug his shoulders at me. “I found out Shayna was certifiably crazy, so maybe he did me a favor.”
I look back at the pile of work on my desk. “Okay, whatever you have to tell yourself.”
He stands to excuse himself from my office and I’m left to wonder what this means for Clark. I guess since he won’t respond to my texts, it’s quite obvious.
* * *
I takea look at our office logs. It’s a great tool to have. Anytime you enter or exit the building, everyone has access to the records. It’s easy. If you want to speak with someone, you don’t have to call all around to check if they’re still at work. I take a quick peek at the logs, and at seven o’clock at night, only five people remain. Clark being one of them.
I lock up my office and have accomplished most of the work needed on my most current case. I can sleep fine tonight knowing that. The only reason sleep will evade me is Clark’s avoidance of me, and what we shared.
I take the steps to his floor, just one level above my own. His office light is on, but his assistant who he shares with Rex is gone for the day. And one look over at Rex’s office, he’s done, too.
I knock on the door but don’t wait for a reply, as I help myself inside. He pops his head up, and there’s an expression on his face, and it’s easy to read. I’ve seen it before. It’s thewon’t you just leave me alonesort of look.
“Hey.” Those are the only words I can find, like I have nothing better to say.I’ve fallen for you, and I can’t get you off my mindwouldn’t be the right words to start with.
“Um, yeah, hey, Xan.” He pushes a bunch of files from the middle of his desk.
“I’ve been worried about you. You okay?” My tone is soft, conveying my concern for him.
He closes his eyes for a brief second and pushes back from his desk, staying in his seat.
“I’m good. Sorry I didn’t text you yesterday. Jen was all up in my space, trying to take care of me, and such. I couldn’t get rid of her.”
He’s not convincing but I shift my attention to another subject. “I hear congrats are in order for you.”
