Page 34 of Return on Love

“He also said that when Ryan met him in LA, he told him he didn’t want you as a consultant.” Lily’s voice was almost a whisper by now. Am I hearing this right? I can’t believe he said that. And here I was thinking we’re getting along, that he’s not as bad as I’d thought. What a fool I’ve been.

“Hey, Eva. Listen to me. The good thing is that maybe Ryan already knows and is preparing for the early meeting. Maybe it’s all just a misunderstanding.”

The gears in my brain begin to turn, the haziness of the sleep reducing every second. It’s likely. They both have been in touch, having meetings and calls without me, while faking niceness towards me. Weber must’ve told him. So the Ahole has simply been pretending? Is that possible? All the discussions and the work we’ve done together?

“Cool down,” comes Lilly’s voice from the other end. “Don’t get yourself all worked up.”

“I’m not. I actually don’t care.”

“You do. Don’t kid yourself. And I can hear you breathing hard and loud onto the phone, so obviously you’re getting angry. You always knew Ryan was a knucklehead. Why’re you so pissed that he pulled something like this?”

“You’d be too, if you were in my position.” I tell Lilly about the past week, leaving out the parts where we touched hands and I made a fool of myself, feeling all mushy about that man, who was simply duping me. That’s what men are. You can’t trust them. All his niceties were just a farce while he was working with Weber behind my back. He really is the lord of Dark Lords. Because of him, Weber has decided to throw me under the bus. He’s already cutting me out and telling Bernard that I’m not doing my work and not attending calls! That’s really below the belt.

“Look,” Lily says once I’m done. “This is a lot to process, especially for a person I was supposed to hate, but now, can’t. I’m trying to think objectively here. From what you’re telling me, he doesn’t seem all that bad a person.”

I almost jump up in shock. “Girl, are we talking about the same man here? Did you even listen to what I told you?”

“Yeah. I did. He helped you out of a soup. Made you dinner. Didn’t even make a pass at you, even though you were probably drunk. Has been getting you food that you like. Involved you in discussions about the future of his company and accepted your suggestions. That doesn’t seem like a douchebag to me.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “It was all a front. Can’t you see? He wanted me to believe that he’s this nice man, while all that time, he was playing me behind my back. The snake.”

“I think you should talk to him before forming any opinions or doing anything drastic. Can you do that? Maybe it’s Weber. I mean, he could’ve told you about the meetings, right? Why is he excluding you from these weekly calls with Ryan?”

I grunt. I hate it when Lily makes more sense than I do.

“C’mon, promise me you’ll talk to him tomorrow.”

“I’ll talk to him. But if I find out he’s colluding with Weber, I might just lose my mind.”

“Fine. I’ll take that. Now,” she paused for a moment. I can hear the rustling of sheets, so I know she’s making herself comfortable on her bed. “Tell me about his home. How is his wife? As good-looking as him? How’s his cooking? C’mon. Tell me and don’t skimp on the details.”

I tell Lily as succinctly as possible. I do not want to show any hint of what I felt when I was at his home. If Lily has as much as an inkling, she’ll make my life hell. I leave the best for the last. “He doesn’t have a wife. That was a wrong conclusion. Jen is his niece, not daughter.”

“See, misunderstandings are easy. Talking helps.”

I spend my evening oscillating between being angry at Ryan and myself for letting him take me on a ride. For so many times this past week, I actually thought I had him pegged wrong. Duh! However, I decide to take Lily’s advice and talk to him first thing in the morning.

The next morning, as I walk to the office, I call up Weber. Perhaps I misjudged him too, and he may have a valid explanation for everything. I know it’s very early for him, but I need to get his version of things.

“Eva? How’s Boston?” he asks, as if nothing was wrong.

“All’s good here. I hope I didn’t disturb you. Since it’s Monday, I thought I’ll catch up with you.”

“No problem. I was anyway up. Tell me, how’s MooreGames?”

“You’ll know better.” I want to say in a snarky tone, but of course I don’t.

“They’re good. We’re discussing some ideas. I think they’ll surprise you at the meeting.”

I give him an opportunity to tell me, at least now, about the change. I don’t want to believe that he’s playing me.

“Good. I look forward to it.”

Nothing! He’s still not telling me? I’m angry, but I try to keep my voice steady. “How’s Neil’s deal going on?”

“Pretty good, I’d say. CashCross seems to have a sound business plan and high growth.”

CashCross! So that’s the one Neil is working on. Why does it sound familiar?

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