Page 112 of Playing Flirty

Istayed up all night—not because of the conversation with my mother, but because the couch was lumpy and soft in all the wrong places.

Okay, it hadsomethingto do with the conversation with my mother.

Deciding there was no use tossing and turning on the uncomfortable couch, I got up early with the intention of finishing up a load of candles before lunchtime.

And I did. Far before lunchtime.

And that is how I found myself outside Patrick’s office at exactly midday after texting him to let him know I was coming.

The doorman greeted me when I entered, and I had a visceral reaction as I remembered the last time I’d seen him. While I regretted every bit of that night that took place in this office… I didn’t regret a moment after.

I caught a glimpse of Patrick out of the corner of my eye. He waved and called out to me.

“I’m glad you came,” he said.

I nodded, squeezing my fist around the ring box in my pocket and swallowing the ring box–sized lump in my throat.

He held up brown paper bags and the scent of the butter chicken and ramen combination wafted toward me. “Lunch on the roof?”

One last time.

I nodded and followed him to the elevator. He looked me up and down after we stepped inside. “Casual Monday?”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

Of course Patrick was wearing a beautifully ironed white shirt with a pair of beige chinos. Every strand of hair was in place, and he already looked every bit the COO he would end up being. I shrugged, clicking my red sneakers together and wishing I could go home.

We sat on a bench with a great view overlooking the city and the office block where I used to work.

He smiled and handed me the container of ramen and the cutlery. “I haven’t been up here in ages. I forgot I could see your building from here.”

“Not my building anymore,” I blurted, then shoved a forkful of ramen into my mouth before I could say anything further.

Patrick froze. “What?”

I finished chewing and then swallowed before answering. “I resigned.”

“I figured. I’m just confused. Why?”

“I didn’t want to work there anymore.”

His nose crinkled, and he gave me his most unimpressed expression. “Well, obviously. But I meant, why? Why don’t you want to work there? It’s a great company, plus you’re definitely going to get that promotion as soon as you finish your MBA.”

I nodded and then changed direction by shaking my head. “Yeah, uhm… I hated it. Ireallyhated it, but you already know that. So, uh… I don’t care that it’s a good company, andI care even less about being promoted.” I slurped up more ramen, and it dripped down my chin. I grabbed a napkin and wiped it.

My mind jumped to the day I had sat on the couch eating ramen with William. The way he’d placed my aching ankle on his lap—it was the first time he’d ever really touched me, and the first time I’d ever really seen him. Had it only been a few months ago?

Patrick shook his head. “Well, okay. Where are you moving to?”

I smiled, preparing him for my next answer. “Nowhere.”

“What do you mean? Are you leaving without having anything lined up? Tell me you have a few interviews, at least.” His cheeks puffed up, and his eyebrows folded into a frown. “What about your Life Goals?”

“I know what I don’t want, and I didn’t want that.”

He swallowed his last bite and placed the empty container back into the brown paper bag. “Why do I get the feeling you’re not only talking about M&G?” His voice softened, and a broken smile flashed across his face. “You’ve been awfully quiet since Friday.”

My throat tightened. “I don’t want to marry you. I’m so sorry.”

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