Max
PACING MY BEDROOM in hopes of settling my nerves, which wasn’t working, by the way, I picked up my phone for the hundredth time hoping to at least see a text from Alina. I prayed she hadn’t put off ending things with Harris, needing to bury myself inside her as soon as possible. I was confident I could’ve convinced her to fuck me in my office, right there on the desk, but I saw in her eyes how important it was she not be tied to anyone else before that happened.
Checking the clock on my bedside table, I saw it was just past midnight, the thought she could still be with Harris angering me. And instead of sitting around and driving myself crazy, I swiped the screen and dialed her number. It rang a few times then went to voice mail. I tried several minutes later, and the same thing. In total, I’d tried to reach her five separate times, and each time her voice mail flicked on. I barely stopped myself from driving over there, realizing if I showed up on her doorstep, I could do more harm than good. So against my better judgment, I threw my phone on my dresser and crawled into bed.
I couldn’t get to work quickly enough, beating almost everyone to the office in hopes I’d be able to catch Alina first thing. She typically arrived early, much like me, and that day it would definitely work to my advantage.
Strolling down the corridor toward her office, so as to appear nonchalant even though my heart was pounding in my chest, I rapped on her door before entering. Her light was on, but she wasn’t anywhere to be found. Her purse and briefcase were thrown onto a nearby chair, her cell phone resting on top of her desk. Maybe she was in the break room pouring herself a cup of coffee, and instead of cornering her in there, knowing we’d have no privacy in case anyone walked in, I sat down in her chair, stretching out to get comfortable.
Several minutes passed and still no Alina, although her phone was chiming like crazy. Texts coming through as if someone was telling a damn story and wouldn’t stop typing. Finally, after the sixth alert, I picked up her phone and turned it over. I saw a notification she’d received a text from Harris, but I couldn’t read what it said unless I swiped the screen. I was able to get in without a passcode. Not too smart, although it worked to my advantage. As soon as I scrolled through his messages, however, I wished I’d never picked up the damn thing.
Chris: I’m happy we talked last night.
Chris: I know we’ll be happy together.
Chris: I set up an appointment to talk to the wedding planner. I got the number from your father.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. She’d agreed to go ahead with the marriage? She didn’t break it off like she told me she would? So wrapped up in her betrayal, I hadn’t noticed when she walked into her office, catching me red-handed reading through her text messages.
“What are you doing?” she asked, glancing at me, then to her phone and back again.
“I could ask you the same goddamn question.”
“What are you talking about?”
“What am I talking about?” I parroted. Slamming her phone down, I quickly stood, crossing my arms over my chest and willing myself to stay calm. Well, as calm as I could muster.
“Yes. Why are you so upset?”
“Hmm . . . let’s see,” I said, tapping my foot while scowling. Instead of accusing her of lying even before she opened her mouth, I chose to ask her a question instead. “Did you talk to Harris last night?”
She looked suspicious. “Yes, we talked.”
“Why didn’t you answer any of my calls?”
“By the time he left, I was exhausted, so I took a quick shower and went to bed. I left my phone downstairs.” She crossed the room, walked around me and sat in her chair, looking up at me while I rattled off my questions.
“What time did he leave?”
“Eleven.”
“Why so late?”
“Because he had a lot to say.” She was clearly becoming agitated, but I didn’t care.
“Such as?”
“That’s between him and me.” Alina leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest, her blouse wrinkling up with the movement. Our body language was similar, although I suspected she wasn’t experiencing the same level of hurt, anger, and betrayal I was, giving me the right to continue on with my inquisition.
“Why won’t you tell me? Something to hide?” The pure look of disgust on my face prompted her to change tactics, rising from her seat only to approach me cautiously, as if I was some sort of frightened animal that might bolt at the first sign of danger. When in fact it was she who should feel on edge.
“I at least owe Chris that much,” she mumbled, leaning her hip against the edge of her desk.
“You don’t owe him anything,” I shouted, uncrossing my arms and grabbing hers, pulling her close. “You owe me.”
“What do I owe you?” She tried to move back but couldn’t, my hold on her keeping her still. I swore as soon as we touched, most of what I’d been feeling waned, the need to convince her to be with me so forceful I was consumed by it.
“The chance to see how great we can be together.” When I saw the fire in her eyes ignite, I added what I should’ve to begin with. “You owe it to yourself to be happy, Alina. With me.” I released her, only to cradle her face in my hands. “Not with him.” I pressed my lips against hers, silently pleading for her to choose me. Breaking the kiss, I whispered, “Why didn’t you tell him it was over?” My mouth hovered over hers, not quite sure how I should proceed if she continued to lie to me.
She pulled back, her hands resting on my chest. “What are you talking about? I did tell him it was over.” Bewilderment wrapped around her until she reached for her phone and swiped the screen. She read through Harris’s texts, and I saw realization flash through her eyes. “Why would he text me these things,” she asked, more to herself than to me. “I don’t understand.”
“So wait. You’re telling me you ended your relationship with Harris. You really broke it off?”
“Yes.” She slapped my chest. “Was your attitude because you thought I hadn’t?” I nodded. “You should’ve just come out and asked me, instead of acting like a complete ass.” The corner of her lips curved, but not enough to complete a smile.
“You’re right,” I agreed. “I went with my first reaction, and that was wrong.” I didn’t have a lot of trust in people, and my lack of confidence in Alina was ill placed.
“You can admit when you’re wrong?” Her grin was finally out in full force, kicking my heart back into a steady rhythm, my sense of betrayal gone only to be replaced with utter longing.
“Yes, but don’t get used to it.”