It had finally happened. The thing I had been working toward for years was finally mine. I was going to be partner at one of the best law firms in New York City. I should have felt ecstatic, should have been out celebrating, riding the high of winning the trial and getting the partnership. But instead, I was leaning on the edge of my balcony, nursing my second glass of whiskey and staring out at the New York City skyline, like I had been doing for the past hour.

My conversation, if you could call it that, with Olivia was still playing in my head like a bad movie stuck on repeat. I drained my whiskey, hoping it would make me forget the look in her eyes when I gave her the news. I seriously regretted insisting I be the one to tell her. Jack and Dan had wanted me to wait until Monday to tell her, but I had wanted to tell her tonight.

I had been delusional to think she would be in any way excited for me. I had thought she reciprocated some of my feelings for her, but damn was I wrong. The look she had given me was one of pure hatred. Disappointment, anger, and hatred had flashed through her eyes in a matter of moments.

My phone ringing cut through the silence and my thoughts. I looked at my screen and sighed. The news was about to go bi-coastal.

“Congratulations on the win!” Reggie said when I answered.

“Thanks, man,” I said. “It was a rush.”

“When do they plan on deciding about the partnership?”

“They already did.”

“And?” he probed.

“It’s me, I got it,” I knew I didn’t sound excited or even happy about it, but I couldn’t muster the energy to pretend. Especially not with Reggie.

“And why do you sound like someone just killed your dog?” Reggie asked. “Wait, let me guess. This has something to do with Olivia, doesn’t it?”

“She was pissed.”

“Of course she was pissed. I would’ve been pissed. You would’ve been pissed. That’s a natural reaction when you get passed over for something you’ve wanted and worked toward for years.”

“I love her,” I blurted out. I wasn’t in the mood to go ‘round and ‘round in circles with Reggie tonight. He coughed like he was choking on something.

“Excuse me ... you what?”

“I love her.”

“I’m sorry, can you put Jameson Beck back on please?”

“I’m serious Reggie,” I sighed, as I went back inside for more whiskey. “I can’t deny it anymore. I love her … I’ve loved her for a while now.”

“So what?”

“She hates me now,” I said. “When I told her I got the partnership...”

“You told her?” Reggie cut in. “Why wouldn’t you let the other partners handle that?”

“It was stupid, but I thought maybe she would take it better coming from me.”

“I think you’ve honestly lost your mind.”

“Now I don’t think she’ll ever talk to me again.”

“You’ll get over it, just like you did with Natalie.”

“I don’t want to get over it,” I snapped. “I think she’s the one.” I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my own mouth. They sounded foreign and so unlike me.

“The one what?” Reggie asked exasperatedly. “Don’t get all sentimental on me now. You gave up on marriage and love a long time ago—we both did. That was what the career we wanted demanded.”

“What if we made a mistake?”

“I think you hit your head or something.”

“This isn’t a fucking joke, Reggie,” I snarled.

“Calm the fuck down, Beck. How am I supposed to take this conversation seriously when for as long as I’ve known you, you’ve only wanted one thing? And now you’ve got it and you’re seriously considering letting it go for your latest fuck?”

“Do you want to be alone for the rest of your life?” I shot back. “Spend every weekend at the bar trying to find a new lady to screw?”

“We’re not talking about me here. We’re talking about you and how you are ready to give up your life’s dream for a blonde bombshell who also happens to like to suck your dick.”

“You are a disgusting pig.”

“Three months ago you would’ve said the exact same thing,” Reggie nearly yelled. “What’s changed?”

“How many times do I have to say it before you actually believe it? I love her, Reggie, that’s what changed. This isn’t just casual sex anymore. I want her, all of her, all the time. I don’t want to lose her over this, and I might have already…” I ran a hand through my hair and blew out a breath. I didn’t want to think about that. Didn’t want to think about what it would mean if she never spoke to me again.

“Jesus, okay, I get it.”

“Do you?” I could almost hear him shaking his head through the line.

“I get it, man, you’ve said you love her half a dozen times now, I believe you. You want her more than the partnership? Does she really mean that much to you?”

I thought about his questions. Thoughts of Olivia raced through my mind. Her laugh, the way she looked when she was mad, her soft skin, the way she moaned my name when she came. I knew it would sound cliché, but I loved everything about her.

“Yes,” I finally croaked out.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Reggie breathed out. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“Wait until you meet her. You’ll understand.”

“You have to convince her to take you back first.”

“Take me back? I have to convince her to have me at all.” I suddenly regretted not telling her how I felt before now.

“Lucky for you, you can be pretty persuasive,” he laughed. “What are you going to tell the partners?”

“I changed my mind.”

“Are you sure about this?” he asked again.

“100% positive.”

“I just had to check,” he said, then there was silence. “So, that’s it?”

“This is the right decision for me, I know it is. I’ve weighed all the pros and cons...”

“Of course you have,” Reggie cut in. “You can’t ever just go with your gut.”

“All right, I’m done with your bullshit tonight.”

“You better let me know how it goes.”

“You know I will.”

“Good luck, man.”

“Thanks, Reggie.” I hung up and poured myself another glass of whiskey.

I thought about calling Olivia right then, but I doubted she would even answer. She had been furious when she’d thrown me out of her office. But I needed to see her, needed to talk to her. I dialed her number. As predicted, it rang and rang before going to voicemail. I tried two more times before I gave up.

Now I had to wait until Monday morning to talk to Jack and Dan. I had to wait until Monday to try to convince Olivia to give me a chance, to tell her I loved her and hoped she felt the same way.

It was going to be the longest weekend of my life.