Page 63 of The Kitchen Contract

“It wasn’t at the time, but I can laugh about it now,” he says with a grin.

Just then, my phone buzzes on the desk, and Alex reaches for it since it’s closer to him than me. “Looks like you got a text.”

Alarmed, I lunge forward and snatch the phone out of his hand before he can see who it’s from or read the preview on my home screen. I’m positive it’s Maddy with another party question, and I’ve worked too hard this week for me to blow the cover on this surprise party at the last minute.

“I’ll take care of that later,” I say, tucking the phone under my leg and giving Alex a cheery smile. “Right now, we’re celebrating your birthday.”

But Alex isn’t smiling. In fact, he looks like he’s not feeling well.

“Are you okay?” I lay a hand on his arm. “You look a little pale.”

He leans away from me and fixes me with an appraising look. “Why didn’t you want me to see your phone? I was just trying to hand it to you.” He sounds hurt, his voice low and his brows pulled together.

“No reason,” I say with a wave of my hand. I try to keep my tone nonchalant. “I just didn’t feel like dealing with whatever it is right now. It’s not a big deal.”

“It’s a big deal to me. It reminds me of…It’s just very important that I’m able to trust you. Who was that?” His voice is harsh and I feel a touch of defensiveness rise up in me.

“Why is it any of your business who it was?” I ask, irritated by his high-handedness. I might not have anything to hide, but that doesn’t mean I enjoy being interrogated.

“It just seems like you should be open with your boyfriend about who you’re talking to.” He lowers his chin and stares me down.

“And it seems to me like you should trust me and not force me to justify myself or give up my privacy.”

“So you’re not going to tell me who that was?” His voice is hard, challenging.

I lift my chin. “No. I’m not.”

“Then I think you should leave,” he says so quietly I almost don’t hear him. In fact, I’m sure I couldn’t have heard him correctly.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“I said, I think it’s time for you to go.” Alex’s gaze rips away from mine, and he stands pulling his chair back around to the other side of the desk.

I stare at him, paralyzed. My mind is spinning, trying to make sense of what’s happening here. “Are you serious?” I finally choke out.

He jerks his chin down in a sharp nod, his arms crossed and expression stony. “I don’t think I can date someone who is okay with keeping secrets.”

I couldn’t be more shocked if he slapped me. My legs feel numb as I push myself up. “If that’s what you want.” I stand there before his desk for a moment, giving him a chance to change his mind. I’m not going to beg, especially since I have no idea what just happened, but I’m willing to let it go if he’s willing to talk it out. Say something to indicate that this is a misunderstanding. That he cares about me enough to ask me to stay and try to work it out. But he’s totally silent.

And so I duck my head to hide the tears that are threatening to overflow and walk out the door without a backward glance, lunch forgotten. Pulling the door closed quietly behind me, I pause for a moment. I press a trembling hand against the door and take a deep breath, trying to push down the ache pulsing from my chest into every extremity.

“Happy birthday,” I whisper before I walk away.

35

ALEX

This is literally the worst birthday ever. My head is pounding as I drive home, relieved that this afternoon is finally almost over. All I want to do is grab some leftovers, take a shower, and go to bed. Maybe things will look better in the morning.

I doubt it, but I don’t know what else to do, so that’s the plan.

I back into the garage and climb out slowly, flipping on the lights as I walk inside.

“Surprise!”

The chorus of shouts catches me completely off-guard, and I instinctively throw the stainless-steel water bottle I’m carrying at the first movement I register as my fight or flight reflexes kick in.

“Ow! Dude, what’s wrong with you?” Grant howls, clutching his elbow where my water bottle nailed him with a loud ping.

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