Page 56 of Sweet Wicked Vows
After the small glimpses of his softer side, the side that calmed me down on the brink of a panic attack, the side that brought a spare helmet to the party, and that drove me to the police station in the middle of the night and stayed the entire time—those glimpses gave me budding hope.
Laurence let out a low whistle. “He’s not who I imagined you marrying one day. Definitely not your usual type.”
“Things change. People change.”
“That’s abundantly clear.”
“Laurence, I’m sorry but you’re going to have to leave. I have a meeting to get to.”
“I only wanted to stop in to say congratulations and, well, to check in on you.” He rubbed his jaw, closing the distance between us. Citrus aftershave stung my nostrils—the same one I used to adore. “It’s only been a couple months, Evie. And in that short space of time, you’ve gotten married, and to him of all people. It all seems so unlike you. It’s got me worried, that’s all.”
“It’s no longer your concern to be worried about me,” I said firmly. “It stopped being your concern when you walked away.”
“Evie,” he exhaled softly. “Although we aren’t together anymore, that doesn’t mean I still don’t care about you. We were together for four years. That’s a long time to suddenly stop loving someone.”
Loving someone.
Did he still love me?
No, that was impossible. Because if he truly loved me, if he still cared even a shred about me, he would have never walked awaythe way he did.
“It’s okay if this is a rebound thing,” Laurence said. “I mean, most people just screw the next person they see to get over their ex or make them jealous. Then again, you were always different. Marrying the guy, well shit, you’ve got my attention.”
I didn’t do this for him.
Everything about the situation started to feel wrong. Being alone with Laurence, him close enough that I could see the little scar at his eyebrow from his old piercing, and the way he perched himself on the edge of the desk and let his knee brush my fingers.
“I just wanted to let you know I am right here,” he pressed on. “If you need anything, or anyone to talk to, then you know that I am always here for you.” My insides twisted as he reached for my hand. “No matter what, I want you to know you can always rely on me.”
“I think you should leave.”
“Evie, what we had, it was special. You’re my special girl, and I will always have your best interest at heart.”
The office door swinging open was music to my ears.
“Okay, I don’t own anything that is office suitable.” Lola sauntered into the room. “All my dresses are either too low cut, not the right fit for your first ‘I’m the new big boss’ meetings, or they are far too short. Like fuckable short, again not ideal.”
Laurence moved off the desk quickly.
“Oh, it’s you.” Lola dumped a bag of clothes on my desk, eyes scanning between the two of us.
“Thanks for seeing me today, Evie,” Laurence said. “Think about what I said. You have my number if you need me.”
Watching him leave, my heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach. My life would have been so much easier if we never ended. How simple and uncomplicated things would have been.
“What did he want?” Lola asked.
That was the million-dollar question, but I couldn’t dwell on it. Not when my mind needed to be focused on work and creating the perfect first impression.
No one who worked for my father thought I was capable of being acting CEO.
I needed to do whatever it took to prove them wrong.
“Nothing of importance.” I dismissed the spiraling thoughts. “Please tell me you have something in that bag that will save me from walking into my very first meeting looking like I don’t know where my own mouth is.”
Chapter Eighteen
“Have you considered that maybe you are just really bad at this?”