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I’dcertainly started to develop feelings … but I guess he hadn’t felt the same way.
That reality hits me like a punch to the chest, and each day of the workweek continues to cement my thoughts. It was never going to be anything more than what it was. I was delusional to think otherwise.
On Friday, I impatiently wait for the day to be over, excited to go home and spend the weekend away from Asher and away from my conflicted feelings. It’s almost the end of the day, and I’m just finishing up a few emails.
When I see one come in from the estate lawyer, I get that familiar pit in my stomach. Lately, all he ever contacts me about is terrible news. I click on the email, and just as I’d thought, this is exactly what the email contains: terrible news.
I sit in shock for a few seconds, staring at the screen. It takes way too long for my mind to process the words, to accept what’s really happened. And even though I knew it was an inevitable possibility, it still hurts. It’s as if Mom and Dad are passing away all over again.
The house is sold.
I sigh, trying to hold back the wave of tears threatening to escape. I breathe deeply.It’s okay, it’s okay, I remind myself. It’s just a house. I knew this was a possibility. It was always a possibility. And sometimes, no matter how badly you want something, it just isn’t meant to be.
I seem to be learning that a lot lately.
Biting my lip to keep from crying, I gather my things, deciding to take an early day. It’s 4:30—early enough to head home. The day has been slow anyway. But right before I’m about to shut my laptop, an email from Asher appears on my screen.
Annoyance sparks through me. He wants me to meet with him before I head home.
I hurry to his office, ready to get this meeting over with. When I enter the room, he looks up. “Olivia,” he greets.
I nod, giving a tight-lipped smile. I take a seat at his desk and wait for him to tell me why I’m here.
He leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “I just wanted to ask how you’ve been this week,” he says. “Have you had any contact with …”
I shake my head. “No, nothing. No notes, nothing creepy.”
Asher nods. “Good. Please tell me if that changes.”
“I will,” I assure him.
There’s a long pause. What used to be taken up with playful banter, warm smiles, and small talk is now an empty pall hanging in the air.
“Is that everything?” I finally ask, feeling at my breaking point. After the news from my lawyer, I just need to get home and have a good cry. Meeting with Asher is more than I can take right now.
Asher’s jaw sets. “Yes,” he finally admits.
I stand, turning to leave, when he stops me.
“Olivia,” he says.
I turn around.
“Is everything okay?”
I stare at him for a moment, frustrated. Frustrated that I’ve felt like a yo-yo on a string, my emotions toyed with. That this entire month has been an absolute shitshow. That my goal of keeping my parents’ home has fallen through my fingertips. Everything has fallen apart, and I’m about to as well.
I swallow, holding back tears. “Everything is fine,” I say quietly.
“Olivia—” he starts, but I’m unable to bear another lecture from him.
“I would just like to leave, Asher,” I state, my words coming out harsher than I intended. I take a deep breath. “I understand that our relationship was inappropriate, that I’m just your assistant and nothing more but …” I shake my head. “I’d thought the feelings I was developing were mutual. I was obviously wrong.” When Asher doesn’t respond, I shake my head again. “I’ll see you on Monday.”
And with that, I turn and walk out the door.
Chapter 19
I burst into tears the second I arrive home, shutting the door behind me and heading to my room, trying to see through the blur of my tears. I collapse on the bed and cry. I cry over the stress of the last month, I cry over my embarrassment with Asher, and I cry over the loss of my family home—the one thing that could help me feel connected to them. After wallowing in tears for almost an hour, I finally pull myself together and venture into the kitchen to grab water and something to eat. After changing into comfy clothes, I park myself on the sofa, eating comfort food and watching TV.
