Page 86 of Mine

Cindy’s mouth dropped as a flurry of emotions and thoughts pulsated through her mind. She watched him with a mixture of shock and dread. She would be separated from him—as a sex partner and as a friend, someone she’d grown attached to. The latter hurt her more than the former.

“They say there’s a time and a season for everything.” He looked back at her. “Our season is over.”

“You can’t do this,” her voice cracked. “I love you.”

Quentin’s eyes widened. He didn’t see that coming a mile away. “Since when?” he said.

“Since… since,” she stuttered, still in a state of disbelief.

“This is straight up bullshit. You knew what our relationship was. You knew,” he said.

Cindy shrugged. “You can’t help who you fall in love with.”

Quentin turned his head with a shake. A severe headache pounded at his skull. “I’m sorry.” He turned back to her. “I don’t love you. I’m in love with Phoebe. There will never be anything between you and I, Cindy. I’m sorry.”

A horn outside the condo blew long and hard as they stood there staring at each other.

“I’ll have your car sent to your home when it’s ready.”

“So that’s it? Just like that.”

Quentin thought for a moment. Firing Cindy would be best for his relationship with Phoebe, if he managed by God’s grace to win her back. The problem with that was Cindy could easily make his life a living hell. In this day and age, some women filed sexual harassment lawsuits if they were pissed off enough. Despite the truth, it would be his word versus hers. And he was the “notorious playboy.” The only way he saw fit to fix the situation was to keep Cindy away from him—and Phoebe. And to not disparage Cindy by firing her. He couldn’t fire her anyway; he knew his wrongness in the situation.

All the changes, the choices made, was the best call.

“This is it,” he said finally.

Cindy shoved her arms inside her jacket and walked past him robotically. At the front door, she stopped and looked back at him. Her mouth opened, but no words came from her. Instead, she turned and exited.

Soon after, Quentin had his jacket in hand and left in hopes of reuniting with the love of his life.

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