“My office isn’t going to become a hangout zone, just because Sugar is here. We’re working. Something you two should try.” Dominic stood up and started unrolling his sleeves. “We’re going to lunch, Sugar. Come with us.”
I finally stopped laughing and dabbed at my eyes, unwilling to mess up my eyeliner. “Can’t.”
Holden scowled. “Going back to Bernie’s?”
Giggling again, I had to press my hand to my mouth to regain control. “No, I’m going to lunch with a friend.”
Barrett frowned. “Who?”
I grabbed my clutch and put my phone inside, trying to work out why I felt weird about telling them I was having lunch with an ex. It wasn’t like they’d care. It wasn’t like it mattered if they did. I was an employee. No more funny business. That was the rule.
“A high school ex. He saw my profile on the dating app and reached out.”
20.
20
***SJ***
Thesilencethatmetme was tense. I was unwilling to face it. Dodging Holden, I probably set a new record for getting out of Dominic’s office. I didn’t like the guilty feeling nagging at me. I had no reason to feel guilty for having lunch with a potential friend. I owed the guys nothing. It was stupid to feel guilty.
“Off to lunch?” Cindy looked down at Dominic’s office and then grinned at me. “I’m surprised they let you out of there alone. Those three are clingier than I ever thought, it seems.”
“I think I broke out. Which is why I have to go. I’ll talk more when I get back! Sorry!” I rushed into the open elevator to the sound of Cindy laughing.
She was every bit as amazing as Barrett had made her out to be and, without a doubt, I would be at her desk often, just spending time next to her. I wanted to pick her brain about a million things, but right then I felt like I had to get out of there.
I didn’t want to face the guys and their disappointment, or whatever it was they were feeling. Maybe they thought less of me. I didn’t know. I didn’t want to know, either.
On the main floor, I rushed out of the elevator and spotted Logan leaning next to the glass front doors. A security guard was glaring at him and I shot the guard an apologetic look. I didn’t know the rules, so I wasn’t sure if having someone wait inside was against them.
I felt like I was messing up all over the place. It was probably a solid indicator that lunch with Logan wasn’t a great idea, but I couldn’t turn back when he was already there, waiting on me.
I just had to go through with it. Maybe I’d be wrong. Maybe it’d be a great lunch date with an old friend.
I forced a smile onto my face and felt a surge of adrenaline when Logan glanced up and spotted me. My fight-or-flight response engaged and I instantly remembered how toxic he’d been when we were in high school. I’d been so glad to leave for college to get away from him. Time and space had dulled those memories, but seeing him in person brought them rushing back.
He pushed off the wall and walked over to me. “SJ! Hey! Long time no see.”
I nodded and kept a respectable distance between us. “Yeah, it’s been forever.”
“I know you only have an hour off, so we should talk as we walk. There’s this place around the corner that has great fresh food. They have this kale salad that will blow your socks off.”
I sunk a little lower in my feelings and nodded. “Okay, sure.”
On the street, the city was bustling. Folks pushed past each other in an attempt to get to their lunch and back in time. There were suits as far as the eye could see. I realized how odd Logan and I looked standing there. I was dressed like a fifties housewife, and he was still dressed like a high schooler.
“I was really glad I found your profile. I’ve had a lot of time to think in the last few years and I wanted to talk to you.” Logan bumped into me as he tried to avoid someone hurrying past. “My dad died a couple of years ago and it made me reconsider some of my choices.”
My heart ached for him instantly. I gently touched his arm and shook my head. “I’m so sorry, Logan.”
He led me around a line for a food truck. “I know you know what it feels like. I’m sorry about your mom, too.”
That wasn’t a conversation I was having with him, or with anyone on a crowded sidewalk. We were passing by a food truck that sold grilled cheese creations that looked and smelled heavenly. I nodded to it. “How about a grilled cheese instead of a salad?”
He hesitated and then shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
We moved into the line and I wrapped my arms around my stomach as we waited. “There are plenty of tables open over there. We can sit and I can enjoy the sun before going back into the office.”