Page 27 of Until It Was Real

“I don’t hate Antarctica.”

“Phew.” I run the back of my hand over my brow. “I was worried there for a second. It wouldn’t have stopped me from spending all my time putting articles about how flat-earthers are wrong everywhere in your office, though. Conspiracy theories are scary and should be stopped.”

“You should be stopped.”

I hold up a hand. “I’m not going to plant articles about flat earthers everywhere. I said Iwould have,not I will.”

“I meant stop talking.”

“Are you telling me to shut up? Have you not had enough coffee yet?”

He sighs. “I think you’re confused.”

“I’m not confused. You’ve made yourself clear. You understand the Earth is round. Noted.”

He growls. “I’m not discussing the Earth. I mean about us.”

“What do you mean? Us? What us?”

“Exactly.” He nods. “There is no us.”

“I didn’t say there was. Hold on. Did you think I think we’re a couple because we spent a day in a closet together? Weirdest first date ever.”

“It wasn’t a date.”

“I know. I said the same thing two seconds ago.”

“You’re speaking in circles.”

“I never understood that phrase. Am I walking in circles while I’m speaking? Are my sentences circular? Admit it. It’s a weird phrase.”

He holds up a hand. “Please stop. You’re giving me a headache.”

“I’m giving you a headache? If we weren’t friends, I’d be offended.”

“That’s the point. We aren’t friends.”

My stomach dives to the floor at his words. “We’re not? But I thought…”

I trail off because it doesn’t matter what I thought. Once again, I was wrong about a man. At least I didn’t jump into bed with this one before realizing what an asshole he is.

He doesn’t respond. He merely stares at me as if I’m a fool. Message received.

“Okay.” I nod. “You’ve made yourself clear. We’re not friends.”

I whirl around and stomp out of the breakroom.

What an asshole! I thought Rhett just had a hard time warming up to people. Which I could understand since he lives on a small island and I’m an outsider.

But he’s not having a hard time warming up to me. He’s just a plain old jerkity jerk.

If he thinks he can get away with being nice to me before dropping a ‘we’re not friends’-bomb, he’s wrong. Considering how the auto-correct prank drove him nuts, I believe another prank is in order.

I wake my computer to research ideas.

An hour later, I hear Rhett’s door open. He makes his way to the breakroom. I wait until he’s inside before following him.

He glances over his shoulder at me. He scowls before lifting the coffee pot. I shake my head. I am not drinking that coffee. I nearly giggle but I clear my throat before any laughter escapes. I don’t want him to be suspicious.

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