Page 45 of A Forever Love
Just as I’m about to leave the café, I find myself face-to-face with the last person I expected to encounter. You’ve got to be kidding me. I make an effort to maintain the forced smile on my face, even though it feels like my lips are about to crack.
“We’re running into each other often, wouldn’t you agree?” Shawn Hades raises an eyebrow, his forced smile mirroring mine.
“Totally agree. Given I didn’t know about your existence just two days back, you seem to be everywhere. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you’re tracking me, Mr. Hades.”
His laughter sounds more genuine this time. “You stole the words right out of your boyfriend’s mouth. Where is he, by the way?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but if you’ll excuse me, I really need to get going.” I’m already heading out of the café, but he continues to trail after me, forcing me to turn around. “Mr. Hades, I’m trying to maintain a level of respect here, but I must say, I don’t appreciate—”
“Hey, Merida—that’s your name, right?”
My instincts go on high alert. I never shared my name with him. “I’m not sure I understand your interest with me.”
“I’m interested in everything when it comes to Carter King. Especially since he let it slip that he’s bringing his girlfriend to a security gala event this weekend. A girlfriend no one knew about, mind you. That was bound to pique my curiosity.”
My heart sinks like a stone, its weight dragging me down at his words. A knot tightens in my chest, constricting my breath. But I ignore the suffocation. “Mr. Hades, you need to learn to keep your nose out of other people’s private business. I’m sure if you make the same effort to be a better businessman instead of trying to ruin Carter’s reputation, you’d have a better chance at that award.”
His face flushes a deep shade of red, as though I’ve just slapped him. “You don’t believe me.” The false smile fades from Shawn’s lips as he retrieves his phone. “I don’t need to worry about ruining Carter King. He’s set the stage for his own downfall.” I don’t understand his cryptic words until he presses play and I hear Carter telling someone that he’ll be attending a gala event with his girlfriend.
“He’s talking about you, right?” Shawn raises an eyebrow, the evil grin returning to his face. “But you’re not his girlfriend. Carter King is going down, and this time for good. Honesty is the foundation of the security business, and he lied.”
“It surprises me that you’re talking about honesty. I’m sure neither of the men knew you were recording their conversation.” I turn on my heels, but before leaving, I look at him over my shoulder. “I’d very much appreciate it if we didn’t run into each other outside my workplace again. I’m sure Carter wouldn’t like it either.”
The two coffee mugs are lukewarm by the time I reach my desk.
“I was going to send a search party. Did the café owner kidnap you?” Brandon raises an eyebrow, but the smile drops from his face the moment he grabs his mocha cup and removes the lid. “This is cold. What happened?” His voice rises in concern.
I shrug, trying to appear casual. “Nothing. I just ran into someone unexpected.”
“Was it Carter?” Brandon’s jaw tenses.
“You need to rein in this anger, for your own sake.” I offer him the sugar packets from my handbag.
“I’m not afraid of him.”
“But I am! Carter is more dangerous and lethal than he looks, believe me. I’ve seen him break a man’s jaw with one punch, and he didn’t even flinch.”
“Was that the moment you fell in love with him?” His words hit me like a ton of bricks, and regret immediately spreads over Brandon’s face. “Fuck, Mere, I’m so sorry.”
“I confided in you about my feelings. Don’t use them against me ever again.”
He calls out as I walk toward the restroom, the only place where I’ll be able to collect myself without him surrounding me.
I slip into an unoccupied stall, thankful I haven’t bumped into any coworkers. I lower the toilet seat and slump down onto it.
Why didn’t Carter mention his girlfriend to me? Because unlike Hades, I know he wasn’t referring to me in that conversation. And why the hell does this affect me so much? How far do I have to go to stop feeling this way about Carter?
Before my brain gets fried trying to figure out answers to all these questions, my phone starts to ring in my hand, with Carter’s name flashing on the screen.
Crap!
As I ignore his call, a text message pops up on my phone screen.
Carter: We need to talk. Can you meet me for lunch? I can come to Elixir.
Me: I’m working with my group, as we are preparing for the boot camp. I don’t think I’ll be able to step out for lunch.
I send the lie, hoping to buy myself some time until I can figure out how to face him without my emotions getting the best of me.