Page 55 of April

Linden actually chuckled a little.

“Gavin, I’m sorry. I’d like you to leave now, okay?”

“I’ll walk you out,” Linden added.

“I don’t need you to walk me out,” he said. “You got what you wanted, didn’t you?” He glared at Linden.

“What didIwant?” Linden asked.

Gavin shook his head and said, “Never mind. It’s not worth it.” He lowered the flowers he had brought to his side and walked out of the office, leaving Linden and Asher standing there in silence for a long moment.

“Well,thatwas unexpected,” Linden said.

“Not really. He’s texted, and he’s left me a voicemail. I probably should’ve just called him back.”

“No way. His inability to understand when things are over is on him, not you,” Linden said. “What did he say in his voicemail, though?”

“Just that he missed me. He asked me to call him back.”

“And you hadn’t returned his call after only a few hours while you clearly have a job and meetings at that job? How dare you?” Linden joked.

Asher laughed a little and asked, “You don’t think this is going to be a thing now, do you? He’s not going to keep calling and texting, is he? I don’t like him just showing up at the office.”

“I can tell the front desk not to let him through and give his picture to security downstairs,” Linden offered.

“I don’t think I need to go that far. Do you?”

“Probably not. I don’t think he’s crazy. He just liked you a lot, and youdidkind of end things with him out of nowhere. Most likely, his fragile male ego is just more bruised than anything. I’ll still do it anyway, though, just in case.”

Asher sighed and sat down in one of the two guest chairs in her office. Linden sat in the other one and leaned forward.

“Hey, no one else knew who he was, and no one heard the conversation. Most people are at lunch right now anyway or out with clients,” Linden told her.

“I should’ve broken up with him a month ago.”

“Why?”

“Because I knew then. I think I’ve known all along that it wasn’t going anywhere. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself because I’ve watched hundreds of couples find love and get married over the years. I’m not getting any younger, and I was still single. Gavin is attractive, successful, and he was a nice guy.”

“That’s your criteria?”

“It was until recently,” Asher replied. “You know my new criteria. I told you last night.”

Linden leaned back and said, “Well, if he’s too glued to his phone and stupid fantasy league to kiss you first thing in the morning, he’s a dumbass.”

Asher swallowed. She pictured Linden asleep last night and how she’d been so tempted to reach out and run a hand through Linden’s hair, but she would’ve risked waking her up and having to explain herself. She wasn’t ready for that and probably wouldn’t ever be.

“Hey, what are you doing tonight?” Linden asked.

“Nothing. Why?”

“I just got these tickets for House of Blues. Want to go?”

“Who’s playing?”

“Some local band. A client is the guitarist, and he gave me tickets.”

“What kind of music?”

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