“Sounds familiar,” Graham says. The look in his eye lets me know he’s thinking about Soraya. “So, what happened? What led up to you sending her away in tears and then yelling at everyone on the fourth floor?”
“She lied.”
“About what?”
“Everything.” Even as I say it, I know it’s not true.
“Really?Everything?” Of course Graham would call me out on my shit. “She looked almost as miserable as you do now. There’s nothing fake about that. Whatever happened, the emotions are real. Just look at yourself, man.”
I stare at my balled-up fists, squeezing hard and then letting go. I’m shaking as I inhale shallow breaths. It hurts. Every part of me aches. How did one woman destroy me so completely?
My father’s words come back to me, as they often do. Family was the only thing that kept him from achieving wealth and status. In that regard, maybe Juniper did me a favor. It might hurt like a motherfucker right now, but with Juniper out of my life, I can focus on my career again.
What we have is real.
Juniper’s whispered confession drowns out my father’s voice. Real. What is real? Money. Numbers. Things I can count and plan. Things I can control.
The image of Juniper’s soft smile in the morning fills my mind. The way the sun kissed her cheek and hip as she lay on her side, her curvy figure silhouetted in the morning light. Her sparkling green eyes lock onto mine, telling me without words that she’s real, too. She’s flesh and blood, smiles and sass, strong and so damn beautiful.
What’s the point of climbing to the top if I’m all alone and miserable? My father’s dream of unimaginable wealth doesn’t have to be mine. I can want something different. Something more. Something tangible, real, and worthy of sacrificing everything for. Goddamnit, I want Juniper as my wife, my partner, my whole world.
“Fuck,” I groan, scrubbing a hand down my face. “I don’t know anything anymore.”
Graham chuckles. “Yeah, welcome to the terrifying world of being in love.”
“Love,” I repeat slowly, letting the word sink into my bloodstream. “I love her.”
“I don’t think I’m the one who needs to hear those words,” Graham says before clapping me on the shoulder. I grunt and stand up from my seat, ready to charge after Juniper and tell her about my life-altering revelation. “Whoa there,” Graham exclaims, leaning away from me so I don’t knock him over.
“Sorry,” I mutter. “Wait, what did you want to talk to me about? What were you doing wandering the fourth floor?”
Graham waves his hand in the air, dismissing my question. “Just looking into one of my client’s portfolios with you. I was going to stop in and say hi when I got the file I needed, but then you made your presence known.”
I grunt and nod my head, though I’m only half listening. Graham chuckles and says something about going to get my girl. I’m already halfway out the door. I can’t say I’ve ever had to grovel before, but I’m going to do whatever it takes to win Juniper’s trust back.