“This place has the best burritos, I swear.”

Monica had joined me after work. With Sienna busy with her father’s dinner, it was the perfect time to get together and catch up what might be happening to our friend.

“God, I’m starved,” I said, watching my burrito get assembled.

The cheese melted over the chicken, causing my stomach to rumble. And when the man behind the counter plopped the salsa and guacamole on top, I damn near fell over. My blood sugar was low, having not eaten since taking an early lunch, and my hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

“When was the last time Sienna slept at your place?”

I took a moment to think about it, unable to take my eyes off of my food. I couldn’t wait to eat, my fingers tapping on the counter. “I don’t know; it’s been a while.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

I glanced at Monica and wondered if she knew more about what was going on with Sienna than I knew myself. Because she’d never been a fan of Gary, never supported Sienna, even after agreeing to be a bridesmaid in their wedding.

“You see,” she arched a brow and nodded her head, “that’s what I’m talking about.”

She was still dressed in her business attire—blazer and slacks—standing on pumps with her long red hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. She looked incredible and I wondered how so many attractive people in this city could be single. It didn’t make sense. My thoughts went to Nolan.

“This close to her wedding—” Monica turned her hazelnut eyes back to her own burrito, “—something is definitely going on.”

Following my burrito down the line, I watched it get wrapped up, and when I reached the register I dove my hand into my purse to pull out my credit card.

“Don’t worry about it.” Monica stepped up from behind. “This one’s on me.”

Refusing to budge, I laid my shoulder into hers and said, “I have money.”

She pinched her lips and gave me a hard look. “That may be, but I’m the one with the job.”

I glanced at her under my brow as she pushed me out of the way with her hips. Shoving her credit card into the cashier’s face, she demanded that he take hers instead of mine. Then she turned her back to me and asked, “So, what are you going to do now that you don’t have a job?”

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “Sleep in. Stay up late.” I grabbed the burrito bag from the counter as she closed out the sale.

The cashier handed back her card and she tucked it into her clutch. “How long are you going to give yourself?”

With loose shoulders, I realized I didn’t ever want to go back. “I don’t know, I kind of like this self-imposed sabbatical.”

“Yeah, but you can’t live off of your savings forever, can you?”

“If only.” I smiled. “Sienna helped me with my résumé, but I’m thinking I might just try going out on my own.”

“Oh right,” Monica remembered. “You had the idea about building that app, right?”

I nodded. “And I still might pursue it, but now I’m thinking about maybe freelancing to get myself by in the meantime.”

Monica held the door open. “Sounds a hell of a lot better than slaving for the man.”

“And a hell of a lot more stressful, too.” I glanced back at her. When I turned around, I came face-to-face with my old colleague, Courtney.

Monica lowered her brow, reading our expressions and realizing that we knew each other. I could see on her face that Courtney didn’t know what to say. And who could blame her? I’d left without saying goodbye. Just quit. Packed my bags and left. Never to return.

“Hey,” she said.

“Look,” I lifted my hand, still at a loss for words, “I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye the other day.”

Her eyes crinkled with sympathy. “Don’t worry about it.” She shook her head. “I would’ve done the same thing if I were you.”

I wasn’t even angry anymore, wasn’t bitter about the situation or how it all went down. They’d made the decision, and hopefully the company was better off for it. But I was sad with the way I was treated—like someone to be pushed around.

“And, besides,” Courtney glanced at Monica, “I’m not sure that any of us will have a job there come next month.”

My brows pinched as my mind raced. “What are you talking about?”

Courtney’s eyes got big as she pressed her elbows into her sides. Closing the gap between us, she stepped forward and dropped her voice to a whisper. “Oh my God, you haven’t heard, have you?”

My heartbeat thrashed between my ears as my eyes darted across her face. I found myself shaking my head, not having a clue what she was talking about. “I guess not.”

Folding her arms beneath her breasts, she cocked out a hip. “Rick and Shawn brought two potential buyers through yesterday.”

I gasped and was at a loss for words.

“It’s not official yet—purely speculation—but it was very clear that they’re tossing around the idea of selling the company.”

I blinked, lost inside my head. I couldn’t come to terms with this news. I wasn’t sure if I considered myself lucky or wished I would have waited to at least see what the new management would do to change company culture.

Monica glanced at me. “Looks like you got out just in time.”

Courtney asked what I was planning to do, and when I told her about working on my résumé she joked about seeing me at the interviews that were sure to come under new management. Then we said our goodbyes, leaving me still in shock.

Making our way down the block, I kept trying to answer why Hera had even bothered interviewing for the new mid-level management position in the first place. Especially if they knew that they were looking to sell. I wondered about the health of the company. It seemed strong, or at least gave that appearance. But without seeing the details, I really had no idea.

We rounded the corner and entered a liquor store.

When I started to head down the wine aisle, Monica grabbed me by the elbow and said, “Oh, no. Not tonight. Burritos go with beer.”

I laughed and looped my arm through the crook of hers. We spent our time browsing the microbrew selection until I found myself staring at the dark beer I had been served the day Nolan forgot me at the cowboy bar.

I missed him and hated these reminders of what I could have had. They seemed to pop up and surprise me when I was least expecting it.

Then I reached out and took the six pack off the shelf, needing to be reminded of how amazing it felt when I was at Nolan’s side. Because getting over him was going to take some time.

Monica turned to me. “It’s not like I have any right to say—seeing as I haven’t had the best of luck with men lately—but I really don’t know what Sienna sees in that man.”

“They’re getting married. She loves him.”

Monica gave me a skeptical look. “How did they even meet?”

“We’ve heard the story a dozen times.” I looked at her like she was crazy. “What has you so worried?”

“Gary—” she paused, “—is a player.”

“And how is that not Sienna’s type?”

She rolled her eyes and bobbed her head.

“Like you said, they fell in love quick. Probably slept together quick, too.”

“Probably?” Her brow furrowed.

We both started laughing. Then Monica asked about my love life as we walked to the counter. “I heard about your weekend.” She nudged my shoulder.

My stomach sank when I thought about Nolan—what he might be doing, who he could be with. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

This time I made sure I was the one who paid, and then we were out the door and back to talking about Gary and Sienna and their upcoming wedding. I went through the motions, but Monica did most of the talking. She had a lot to say, a lot to get off her chest. And as I nodded my head and listened, I was rewinding back to my conversation with Courtney. I still couldn’t believe the change coming to Hera.

Then Monica said, “So, what kind of movie are you in the mood for? A rom-com? Drama?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “How about anything but a romantic movie.”

“Agreed.”

We reached my apartment building soon after. I dug my keys out, quick to unlock the door. We kicked off our shoes and headed straight for the living room. Monica fell onto the couch, unwrapping her burrito as she settled in. I reached for the clicker and turned on the TV.

And that was when I saw him.

My entire body froze.

It was Nolan. And he was standing directly next to Audrey.

I stopped breathing, and as much as I wanted to look away, I couldn’t. They looked so happy, smiling and waving to the cameras. I wasn’t sure how much more of this I could take, because the campaign was just kicking off and, no doubt, their faces were going to be plastered everywhere. With Cooper being single, Nolan was convincing the voters that the Fosters were committed.

Monica stopped chewing.

She looked at me.

Then she glanced back to the screen.

It hurt knowing what could have been. Nothing about him was flawed. We were perfect together. It was his family who wouldn’t allow us to happen. And that was something I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to get over.

I quickly clicked to the next channel, needing to see something else before I started to cry. But it was too late. Monica had already seen my reaction. “Wait, was that him?” she asked.

“What kind of movie did we decide on?” I tried to deflect and change the subject.

She put her burrito down. “What happened between you two?”

“Nothing. It was just a weekend fling.”

“You don’t kiss and tell. I get it.” Monica sat forward and pointed her finger at me. “But I can see it in your eyes. It was more than that. You miss him.”

She was right; I did miss Nolan. Badly. But it was never going to happen as long as he was with Audrey.