Omar readied for work the next morning feeling lost. Finding out Marian had left in the night rubbed him the wrong way. Why would she do that? He scowled at his reflection as he adjusted his tie in the bathroom mirror. They’d had a lovely evening, even fallen asleep together.

It’s because of Anahita.

He still hadn’t addressed that looming issue, but how? He needed to come clean to her, to admit that maybe he was ready to try for something new but also maybe he would never love again. Though maybe he already loved Marian. Confusion shuddered through him. None of this made sense. And the longer it didn’t make sense, the more he would push Marian away.

On his way to the office, a text came in from Marian. “I’ll be working from the hotel today. Not feeling well.”

He tapped a quick response. “Is that why you left in the middle of the night?”

Her reply text took a few moments too long. “Yeah. Sorry. Didn’t want to wake you.”

“I hope you feel better…is there anything I can do?”

Her reply this time came lightning fast. “No thanks.”

He frowned at his phone, pocketing it before heading downstairs to meet the car. He felt all jumbled and unstable on the inside, and he hated that feeling. He needed equilibrium, and fast. At the office, Omar jumped into the swing of things quickly, eager to lose himself in the day’s tasks.

His first order of business was calling National Oil about the pending deal. Armed with the document that he and Marian had brainstormed the night before, he was put through to their CEO. Omar made a quick speech about why they should meet and discuss any potential repercussions of Kelly Gunther’s unexpected visit. Surprisingly, the CEO suggested he come around to Almasi Holdings for a one-on-one meeting.

“I’ll have my colleague join us then,” Omar said on his desk phone as he reached for his cell phone. Marian needed to be here. “She’s away from the office now, but I’m sure she can—”

“No, just the two of us will be fine. After all this commotion with the American man…I want to do things more traditionally.” The CEO’s tone left no room for discussion. And of course it had to do with Marian being female. Omar had known from the start that these men wouldn’t like working with a woman. Now Kelly’s ruckus had given them the excuse they needed to edge Marian out of the picture. “See you in a half hour.”

Omar set the phone down gently, wondering what had prompted such an immediate interest in sealing the deal. He blinked at his cellphone, indecision gnawing at him. This would be easier if Marian had come into the office. Between her not feeling well and the CEO’s demand, maybe it would be best to just see him and finish it up.

That was what they both wanted, after all.

But this was their deal. Finishing it without her seemed wrong. He blew a puff of air between his lips, struggling to make the wisest decision. Who was it more important to please in this case: the gatekeeper for the deal or a colleague?

He checked his watch. Time was ticking. He tapped out a quick message to Marian. “Will you come in at all today?”

As he waited for a response, he knew exactly what his father would say: seal the deal. The business comes first.

And as time wore on and Marian didn’t respond, it seemed his decision was made for him.

He tapped on his desk, waiting for the National Oil CEO to show up.

* * *

Three hours later, Omar had a signed agreement in his hands, freshly penned by both him and the CEO of National Oil. The best possible outcome that both he and Marian had envisioned—good equipment, transparency in stakeholders, and no more nonsense coming from Kelly Gunther, who was apparently back on a flight to the US. He couldn’t wait to tell Marian.

But first, lunch. He texted Marian to see if she’d join him, but all he got was a “No thanks.” This news had to be shared in person, or she might take it wrong. Face-to-face was the only way.

After a quick lunch at his favorite café down the street, he returned to his office humming. He loosened his tie as he settled into his seat, ready to tackle emails and correspondence for the rest of his afternoon. The major headache of the week was out of the way. Smooth sailing from here.

He worked quietly for a long while, the only sounds the distant honking of the traffic six stories below. He tensed when he heard stomping in the hallway, followed by his doorknob turning.

The door swung open, and Marian stormed in, her eyes on fire.

“What the fuck did you do this morning?” She strode up to his desk and cocked a hip, arms crossed over her chest. Anger sizzled in the air around her. He gaped up at her, unsure how he could respond and keep his life intact.

“What’s going on?”

“You sealed the deal without me,” she spat, leaning over his desk. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

He leaned back in his chair, holding up a hand. “Listen—”

“No, I will not listen to you. I got an email from Mr. Thomas lauding your exceptional deal-making skills. Did he mention me even once, or all the hard work I put in? No. Of fucking course not. So why am I even surprised that you ran off with all my brainstorming and made this deal behind my back?”

“That is not how it went down,” he began.

“Oh, really? Well, it looks to me like you met with the CEO this morning and signed the deal without me. Or did it go some other way?” She leaned closer, cocking a brow.

Omar swallowed hard, formulating the most diplomatic response possible. He’d never seen her angry before—this was like reasoning with a bull. “The CEO contacted me last-minute for a meeting. He showed up so fast that I didn’t have time to get you involved. Besides, he asked for a private—”

“Bullshit. Pure. Bullshit.” She laughed scornfully. “You’d think that at the very least you could have included me in the paperwork or made some mention to my boss that I had any hand in this success.” She shook her head, mouth tugged down into an angry frown.

Omar held her gaze, no matter how much it stung. “I’m sorry.” He hadn’t even known that his father had shared the good news with Mr. Thomas already. It seemed like a cruel joke. But Marian was in no mood to hear his side.

“Well, I guess this means I can just go home now. You got what you wanted—the deal and a quick lay.” She spun, slamming the door shut behind her as she stormed out.

Omar let his head fall to his hands, her words spinning inside him like a tornado. He grimaced as the pain washed through him over and over again. Her parting shot wasn’t anywhere near the truth. That wasn’t what he’d wanted from her.

Omar clutched at his head as a headache throbbed to life, and he struggled to figure out the best next step. He couldn’t let Marian think that he had planned this betrayal. If anything, he needed to tell her just what he felt for her…and what he was prepared to attempt with her.

He reached for his phone, dialed her number. It rang once before it clicked over to voicemail, so he tried again. Same result. She was most likely ignoring his calls.

He groaned, tossing the phone on the desk. Nothing felt good or right anymore. And there was only one clear desire: to have Marian back at his side.