"We're on a break." There's a frustrated note in his tone. "We agreed to not see each other for a few weeks."
"It's your birthday, darling." The intimacy of her words jars me. I swallow hard to level my breathing.
"That doesn't make a difference," he says soberly. "We're not together right now."
"That's temporary." Her hands run up his chest. "Tonight is a new beginning for us."
I finally pull my eyes back to his face and he's staring directly at me. His right hand clenched into a fist by his side. "We should be having this discussion in private."
"What discussion?" She nuzzles her face into his neck. I know I should excuse myself and leave the room but I feel as though my feet are nailed to the floor. I can't move. I can only stand in stunned silence as I watch my boss fawn all over the man I've been fucking for the last few weeks.
"It's over." He pushes her away.
"What's over?" Her voice cracks before she clears her throat. "What are you talking about?"
"It's over," he repeats, his tone smooth and controlled. "Give me back my keys."
"You're just mad because I surprised you. We can talk about this," she's pleading.
"There's nothing to talk about." His gaze, clear and steady, is locked on my face. "I'm done."
"I'm not." Her mouth twitches. "You can't break up with me."
I pivot to face Cassandra. "I think I should go." The words come out of me with a shaky breath.
She turns her head to look at me. I wince at the sight of tears streaming down her face. "No," she whispers.
"I told you weeks ago I was done." He pushes past us both. "You didn't want to accept it then but it's over."
"Nathan. Don't do this," she says sniffling. "You can't."
"Stop prolonging the inevitable, Cassie." His tone is terse and decisive. "I met someone else."
"Are you fucking her?" The words tumble from her lips in a heated rush. I close my eyes pulling in all the strength I can find. I can't react. I can't let her know that it's me.
"Every chance I get," he says gruffly.
"You pig," she snaps. "I've been so torn up about us I haven't even gone on a date."
"Your loss," he quips in an even tone. "This is over. You need to leave now."
I stare at Cassandra as she walks past him; the only sound in the deafening silence the thud as she drops his apartment keys at his feet.
Chapter 2
"I have to go, Nathan." I yank on the handle of the door knowing full well that it won't budge since his back is pressed against it. "She's going to come back looking for me."
"Cassandra?" He throws his head back with a chuckle. "She's too self-centered to remember she even brought you here."
"You're wrong." I take a step back. "She's been good to me."
"You're a status symbol to her." He reaches out to stroke a finger along the collar of my jacket. "You're the cook she can use to impress her friends."
"They're your friends too," I bite back. I take a determined step backwards so I'm just out of his reach.
"No. I don't know her that well."
"You're her boyfriend." My gaze narrows. "She invited the friends you share to your birthday celebration."