He smiles relieved and shakes his head. “All is forgiven.”
“I’m also sorry to tell you that as soon as the app launches, I’ll be leaving. I’m going back to school.”
“What? Why? Are you still mad at me? Wh—” I stop him with a finger on his lips.
“It’s time. I’m not mad at you, but I can’t stay anymore. If I do, someone will get hurt and I have a feeling that someone will always be me. So, I have to go. I need to get back anyway. It’s time I finish what I started and get that degree done. I just wanted you to know that you should find someone to replace me.”
“But—” I can’t let him talk. If he does, I’ll cave. I want to stay so badly. My heart is already full of him and the longer I stay the worst it will get. I can’t let that happen. Tears are already threatening to build, so I have to get out of here now.
“This is my notice, Mitch. I’m really sorry.”
As I turn back and flee the office, tears start streaming down my face.
CHAPTER18
BETH
“This is a lot of fun!” Cynthia yells, grabbing yet another glass of champagne from a passing tray. She appears to be on her way to becoming tipsy, which gives me a strong sense of déjà vu. I laugh at the careless way she swings her hips from side to side as she bobs her head to the music. Despite taking sips from my drink, I don't feel liberated enough to let go.
My shoulders are tense, and I scan the crowd for that mop of curly hair that always seems to stand a head taller than the rest. It's All4One's launch day, and while I'm overjoyed that we're finally taking off, I can't help but feel a little sad because I won't be here to see how high All4One would fly.
My heart constricts at the beautiful office I'll no longer be coming into; the perfect view from the window I always get lost in most days. All4One has grown on me, and I know, even as I take another sip of my expensive glass of champagne that I will be keeping tabs on it. All4One is unforgettable.
“Hey!” Cynthia yells.
Plastering a smile, I turn to her. “Yes?”
“Are you alright?” she questions; worry evident in her tone.
“I look like I'm not?” I retort in hopes that she will leave it be, but Cynthia manages to look crestfallen, and guilt makes me gulp. “Yes, I'm alright,” I tell her, and deciding to be honest, I add, “I just have a lot on my mind.”
My voice is low, I do not attempt to yell, but Cynthia still manages to hear because she has angled very close to me.
“Like what?”
I shrug, looking down into my drink and watching the tiny bubbles that pop.
“I just-- I'll be returning to school, and I'm just thinking how badly I'll miss this place, including you,” I say as I turn to look at her, because yes, I’m truly going to miss Cynthia.
“Aww, baby. I'll miss you too, so much,” she says, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a tight hug. I wrap my own hands around her and return her hug. “We should do something before you leave,” she says as she steps out of the embrace.
I nod hard. “I would love that.”
“Good,” she coos as she looks at something past my shoulder, a mischievous smile curling her lips. “Who's that cute hunk?” she asks.
As I turn back, I see my brother idling with some of the workers, deep in conversation. Emily is nowhere in sight even though she accompanied him here tonight.
“He's my brother, and he's taken,” I tell Cynthia. When her face falls, I giggle. “For someone who has a partner, you sure do like a lot of boys.”
“I have eyes for good things,” she says as she downs the rest of her drink. “And there's no harm in admiring God’s awesome work.”
I laugh.
“Touché, Cynthia.”
Cynthia merely smiles and then looks over my shoulders for the second time tonight, eyes widening.
“Don't turn around, don't tense up, but I think our boss is headed this way. Think I did something wrong?” she panics. “He rarely ever talks to me. I mean, he's never even done so. Oh, God! Did I consume too many glasses of champagne? Have I run the company down with my big mouth?” Cynthia continues, managing to walk herself to a fit all on her own.