Page 21 of Risk It All

Nerves hit me as the elevator rises higher and higher.

Anthony was gone when I woke up this morning.He went with Alexander somewhere and Eden was just leaving as I got up to head to work so I haven’t seen him all day.That means that we haven’t seen each other since we slept together last night.

How am I supposed to act?Are we together now?Was it a one-night stand?

The elevator doors open before I can decide and I’m face to face with Anthony.

“Hey!How did it go?”he asks as soon as I step off of the elevator.

He wraps me up in a hug right away and I relax.I guess this isn’t going to be as awkward as I thought.

“It was good.I think I might have gotten it.Although there were quite a few other applicants waiting when I left, so who knows.”

“Of course you’re going to get it!Did they tell you when they would make a decision?”

“Today was the last day of the interviews so they said hopefully tomorrow afternoon.They want to fill the position as soon as possible.”

“At least they won’t keep you waiting that long,” Anthony says as he leads me into the living room.

“Are Alexander and Eden here?”I ask, looking around.

“No, they’re both still at work.Eden said they might try to join us for dinner.She wants to hear more about you, and I found an open mic tonight that they might come to.It’s been a while since they’ve seen me perform.”

“Is the open mic practice for tomorrow?”

“Yeah, it can’t hurt.Maybe I’ll see some insights with the New York crowds that will help with my audition.”

“When did you want to leave?”I ask, checking the time on my phone.It’s almost six o’clock and I know by the time we get to a restaurant it will probably be closer to seven.

“Alexander should be letting us know any minute if they’re coming or ––”

The elevator doors open and Eden hurries off.Alexander trails after her, walking a lot slower.

“We’ll be ready to go in ten minutes!”Eden says as she hurries down to their room at the end of the hallway.

“We made a reservation for seven,” Alexander says as he follows after her.

“That means that they’re paying,” Anthony says with a grin and I roll my eyes.

I’m distracted by my thoughts.Anthony is acting like last night never happened.

Is that how he wants to play this?Does he think that last night was a mistake?Does he want to pretend like it never happened?I don’t think that I can go all night pretending that we didn’t sleep together last night.I need to know where we stand.

Anthony heads over to the couch and takes a seat and I follow after him.

“Are we going to talk about last night?”I whisper, my eyes darting to see if Eden and Alexander are headed our way yet.

Anthony seems surprised by my question, his eyes widening.

“What about it?”

“Are we just going to pretend that it never happened?Was it just a one-night stand?Do you want something more?”

Anthony swallows hard and I feel like that’s my answer.He doesn’t say anything, the silence stretching between us until it’s like there’s a canyon separating us.

“We’re ready!”Eden calls, walking briskly down the hallway with her husband hot on her heels.

Anthony shoots to his feet, his smile slightly strained around the edges.I climb to my feet, my appetite long gone and I wonder if I should say that I’m not feeling well and sit out dinner, but before I can force the words out, Eden is lacing her arm through mine and dragging me along with her.

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