Page 140 of Fierce-Hyde

When her phone rang thirty minutes later, she was hoping it was Hyde so she could say she was sorry and ask if they could talk.

That she overreacted again.

It was Raina.

She was going to ignore it but knew she might need someone to talk sense into her.

“Hi,” she said. “What’s going on?”

“I’m checking on you,” Raina said. “I got this terrible feeling that something was going on. I’m not sure and can’t explain it. Just wanted to make sure you didn’t get into an accident or something.”

She started to cry hard. “I think I just caused a horrendous one.”

“Oh boy,” Raina said. “Tell me what is going on. I’ve missed you being out of the building and our lunches but didn’t want to bug you your first few weeks at the new job.”

She told Raina what just happened and swore her friend to secrecy.

“I messed up again. I know it.”

“Sorry,” Raina said. “But you did. I understand being upset over the news, but you can’t blame him for something that no one knew. A very personal thing. And him saying it doesn’t affect you guys the same as if you were in Hilary’s position, is true. It doesn’t change him being able to have kids or not.”

“I know,” she said. “I want to call and apologize, but I don’t think he’ll talk to me.”

“I’d give him time,” Raina said. “You’d need it if it was you. You guys seem to have this issue where you both jump the gun. I’m not sure if it’s something you can fix or not, but if you can’t you might have to work on how to get through these conflicts.”

“I thought I was better than this,” she said.

“It has nothing to do with being better,” Raina said. “It’s what it is with you guys. Work with it, not against it.”

“Best advice ever,” she said. “I just have to do it.”

43

GOING DOWN THAT ROAD

“Tori, what are you doing here?”

Hyde turned when he heard Grant Fierce ask that question.

He’d just walked into the office and hung his jacket up.

“I was hoping Hyde was available to talk.”

“I just saw him come in,” Grant said. “Everything okay? You look a little down.”

“It’s good,” she said. “Thanks.”

Hyde had been watching the door after hearing her voice, waiting for his girlfriend to show up.

“Hi,” he said. “I wasn’t sure when I’d talk to you again.”

“I figured we both needed some time,” she said, shutting his door.

“We did,” he said. “I don’t think I deserved your reaction.”

“No,” she said. “You didn’t.”

“You can rush to see the guy that wasn’t part of your life like it was nothing, but the man who loves you, you don’t give him much of a chance to explain.”

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