Page 98 of The Guy Who Became My Grumpy Boss

“I’m sorry you didn’t get to follow that dream.”

Marissa’s shoulders sagged. “I could have. Maybe I should have.” She forced a smile. “I can’t really complain though. I have a job I love. I have friends. I have a good life.”

I nodded, not knowing what to say.

“You’re usually more vocal than this,” Marissa noted.

“I came mostly unprepared.”

She raised her eyebrows. “You?”

“I’m branching out.” Which was stressful, but easier to do with Marissa than I’d thought it would be.

“Because of Jessica?” Marissa couldn’t keep the hurt out of her voice.

“Partly,” I admitted.

“You really like her.” Tears started to gather in Marissa’s eyes as she spoke.

“I think I do.”

Marissa hung her head. “I owe her a city-sized apology.”

“You probably do.” I expected Marissa to object to my honesty, but she didn’t respond.

More silence.

I rose. “Are you finished eating?”

Marissa nodded.

I took everything into the kitchen, threw my take-out container away, and put hers in the fridge. Then I retrieved the pangolin.

When I walked in, Marissa’s eyes went wide again. “What is this?”

I handed the stuffed animal directly to her. “I spent some time thinking about things you loved when we first met, and this was one of them.”

“You remembered that?”

“It took some digging.”

Marissa hugged the pangolin to herself. “Thank you.”

I pulled my chair closer and held out my hand. Marissa took it, and I squeezed her fingers. This is what I’d come to say. “Marissa, you’re a smart, beautiful, capable woman who has been focused on me for far too long. Someone out there needs you. It’s just not me.”

Marissa nodded, still clutching the stuffed animal tightly.

“I want you to be happy. I hope you take the time to find yourself.”

Tears were now streaming down her face. I squeezed her hand again.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Chapter 29

-Jessica-

Seven women in one place was utter chaos. Chaos that I’d missed.

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