Page 43 of One Last Chance

“I’m glad you understand,” he says, then walks past me and opens the door to the office, leaving me alone. Just as I’m about to leave and get the hell out of here, Domenic rushes back in looking flustered and running his hands through his hair.

Feeling betrayed and embarrassed, a chat with Domenic is the last thing I want to do at this moment. Instead of staying with me in the office with all those prying eyes, he ran after Cassandra, who most likely is the most important thing to him.

What was I thinking?

Why did I ever think he would leave her for me?

He wouldn’t give up all she represents.

Domenic steps closer to me in the office. “Listen, Chloe, I—”

Angry and tired, I hold my up hand to him to stop him from speaking. “Please, just stop. I can’t do this. I need to leave.” Storming out of the office, Domenic grabs my arm just before I exit. Looking down at his hand, then up at his green eyes that appear just as exhausted as I am, I allow him to speak.

“Please, Chloe, don’t go.”

Removing my arm, I reply, “What’s wrong? Cassandra wouldn’t talk to you, and now you’ve come back to me?” Shaking my head, I continue, “I’m sorry, Domenic, but I won’t be second to anyone. I did that before and look where it got me. I won’t play these games.”

Sighing and on the verge of crying, I grab all my courage and say, “What was I thinking? How did I ever think we could make this work?”

Stunned and looking as if I’ve slapped him across his face, he murmurs, “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Don’t withdraw from me. I can’t take it again.”

Turning fully to look at him, I cross my arms and glare. “I’m sorry, Domenic, but right now, I can’t be anywhere near you. I’m sorry,” I repeat again, then turn and run out of the office to the table where I left my photography equipment.

Quickly zipping up my case and packing up my tripod, Tom interrupts my thoughts. “Chloe, are you okay?”

I glance at him as tears run down my face.

He frowns. “What’s going on? What did I miss?”

Sniffling, I wipe my tears with the back of my hand and continue to pack. “Nothing, just nothing.” I hold my case in my hand and place my hand out to him. “Thank you for recommending me for this job, and I hope you got everything you needed out of today. I will go over the photos when I’m back in the office on Monday, and we can discuss any edits you would like me to make for your magazine.”

Tom shakes my hand, then places his hands in his pockets. “Chloe, are you sure you’re okay?”

Placing a small smile on my face, I explain that I’m fine and need to get some air.

Tom thanks me again, and I practically run out of the gym, down the hall, and outside the building. The coldness hits my cheeks, and that’s when I remember I have no ride.

Hearing the door behind me open then close, I turn to see Valerie standing there.

“Hey, I just wanted to check on you.”

Dread fills me that Valerie must have seen the whole spectacle of what went down in the office.

She walks closer and places her hand on my arm. “You really like him, yes?”

I nod. “Yes, I do.”

“And you’re upset because we all saw you two in the office?”

“No,” I reply, shaking my head. “I’m upset because he chose to run after Cassandra rather than stay with me when Coach found us in there.”

She nods. “Right. So, you twoareseeing each other?”

Shrugging, I am unsure as to how to answer that. So, I reply, “It’s a long story. We have a past.”

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