Page 34 of A Simple Reminder

Jared runs a hand through his tousled hair, clearly uncomfortable. “For, you know, the whole misunderstanding about the project. It was a big deal, and I realize now it might have gone down a bit…unfairly.” He pauses as if searching for the right words but then continues, “I didn’t mean to undermine your work. It was an offer I had to take, but I understand it was a huge opportunity for you too. I guess I just want you to know it wasn’t personal.”

I blink at him, not knowing what to answer because there was no misunderstanding. The project was mine to lead. It was my one shot, and he blatantly took it–it wasn’t offered.

His attempt at an apology feels hollow, wrapped in excuses rather than genuine regret. He’s apologizing, but it’s clear he’s also trying to justify his actions. The “unfair” comment, the indirect acknowledgment of the impact on my career—it’s all too calculated.

I let out a breath, allowing my shoulders to relax. I’m not doing this today. If I get angry, it will all come back to bite me in the ass.Iwill look unprofessional. I will be the young woman who can’t handle her emotions,again.That will not happen. Because this time, I’m not allowing him to take anything from me. This project is my chance to make a name for myself and Jared doesn’t need to know how much I want it or how hard I’m willing to work for it.

So, I nod slowly, processing his words. “I appreciate the apology, Jared. It’s good to hear you recognize the situation. But it’s also important to remember that actions usually have consequences. Something to think about for the future. I’ve moved on, and all that matters now is what’s ahead.”

“Yeah, I get that,” he says, running a hand through his hair again as if the gesture might give him strength. “Look, I don’t mean to complicate things. I just want to make sure you know I respect you.”

What have I done to have to sit through this conversation? It can’t get worse than this.

“You know,” he says, his voice returning to his usually confident tone. “I’ve been thinking about how things went between us. We had a lot of fun, didn’t we? I mean, we were good together.”

Wrong.It just got worse.

His comment makes me almost recoil. We weren’t good together, there weren’t any fireworks. Most of our time was just physical. Just sex. On and off. Very on and off.

I was young, easily impressionable, and lonely. He was hot and we had some fun. That’s it. I try not to judge myself too harshly for my past dating history. You have to kiss some frogs to get to your prince. I’m sadly still in my frog era.

“Jared, let’s not bring up the past too much,” I say with a light awkward laugh.

He raises an eyebrow, leaning in slightly. “I’m not suggesting we date again, but how about dinner this Saturday? Consider it my way of apologizing.”

“That’s not a good idea,” I reply, fidgeting with the spoon on the table.

Jared’s gaze doesn’t waver, his blue eyes locking onto mine with a challenging glint. “Just say yes, please. Saturday at eight. It’s just dinner.”

I study him, taking a moment to weigh his offer, and then, of course, my mind flies to another man who just made his way back into my life again.Would Liam react in any way?

Nope. We will not go down this road. If I agree, it’s because I want to move past this obstacle that is Jared and work together smoothly. Allowing him to apologize might make it easier for us, most importantly me. Also, I’d rather have him on my side than against me.

I sigh, resigning to the fact that this conversation isn’t going to end until I give him a response. “Alright, Saturday at eight. But it’snota date.”

SIXTEEN

LIAM

Ten minutes. That’s all it took to derail my day. If I’d taken another street, those ten minutes would have passed like any other—a forgettable blur of routine. But instead, I caught sight of Jared and Sophie at the café down the street. From where I stand, hidden just out of view, I watch them through the window. She’s laughing, leaning in toward him, and the sight twists something deep inside me. There’s a brightness to her smile, so easy and unguarded, and it stirs a mix of jealousy and something sharper, something bitter. It’s unfair, somehow, to see her this comfortable with him and not with me.

I feel like a voyeur, standing here in the shadows like some kind of creep. But no matter how much that ache gnaws at me, I can’t bring myself to look away. Maybe I’m a masochist, drawn to the unease it stirs in me. She’s too beautiful, too captivating, tooherto look away.

What the hell am I doing? Wasn’t this exactly what I wanted—for them to get along? To make work easier. It shouldn’t bother me this much, but it does. I tell myself it’s professional curiosity, an interest in gauging her reactions to all the changes at work. But even I know that’s only a fraction of the truth. The rest is messier, more personal—an unwillingness to accept the possibility that she might still care for him enough to give him a second chance.Him, not me.

Sophie throws her head back in laughter, her long blonde hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders. Jared, on the other hand, leans forward with a smile that seems almost too rehearsed, trying too hard, as if he’s desperate to keep her attention. I scoff under my breath, crossing my arms.What’s next? Is he going to pull a rabbit out of a hat? Or maybe recite poetry? Hell, if this is what she finds charming these days, I might start to worry.

I shake my head, exhaling through my nose.Good for them,I tell myself, though the words feel hollow. If they can move past whatever happened between them and figure out how to work together, maybe it’ll smooth out the tension I felt this morning. Sophie looked like she might snap—and that’s saying something for someone who used to be the picture of composure. At least, that’s how she used to be. Now? She’s a storm barely contained, and I can’t decide if I want to calm it or step right into its path.

This is good. It’s what the team needs right now: stability. I should be relieved—this could make everything run smoother. That’s all that matters, right? Work. The project. Not…whatever this ache in my chest is.

However, I hope they haven't been sitting there for the past hour and a half. My lips press into a thin, tight line. We’ve got deadlines to meet and work to get done. I need them to work rather than laughing and chit-chatting about happier days. There’s no time for distractions, not when every minute counts.

I turn away from the window, determined to focus on the immediate tasks at hand. My priority is keeping things professional and ensuring the project stays on track. Whatever happened in the café might actually be progress—a step in the right direction. Yeah, that’s exactly what it is. Now it’s time to turn that into results. No more distractions.

“You’re late.”My voice is clipped, but I don’t look up as Sophie and Jared stroll into my office five minutes late. Sophie is giggling. She’s fucking giggling.

“Oh, sorry, but it’s one p.m. We agreed on two hours,” Sophie says, her lips twitching with barely contained amusement.

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