Page 129 of Reconciling With the Rival

“Okay,” I say as I leave her office. “I’m glad you’re back.”

Her gaze meets mine as her computer turns on. “Thanks.”

I head back to my office and try to get some shit done, but I fail, because I’m way too excited to see Ella after work in an environment we can’t get fired from.

I open the doorfor Ella as we head into a small restaurant around the corner from the office. I’ve only been here once before—the last time being with Brody and Brad. I’m sticking with one drink this time. I’d hate to see what would slip out of my mouth around Ella, and I’m not sure I want to find out.

I pull her chair out for her, and the two of us sit across from one another as we place our orders. Ella gets a small appetizer, as do I. I’m not too hungry, and all I want to do is talk with her. That’s the whole reason I invited her out. I needed a neutral place to have a chat.

“So, how has work been since I’ve been gone?” she asks, breaking the silence.

“Quiet.”

“Really? I bet with asshole one and asshole two, you’ve been riding high on getting the publishing contract.” She takes a sip of her drink. “I assume you got it?”

“Not exactly. Brody said it was mine if I wanted it.”

She raises her brow at me. “I’d say yes, Leo. There’s no way he’s giving it to me without strings attached.”

I shake my head. “I didn't earn it. We should ask Imogen to decide instead of him.”

“It’s fine. Take it. Youdidearn it.”

“No, I—”

“Did you ask me out here just to talk about work? We could have done that at the office.” She sips her martini as our appetizers come. “Thank you.”

“No, I didn't.”

“Then stop talking about work. It’s not everything, you know.”

I scoff at that. “You’re the biggest workaholic I know.”

“I’m a perfectionist, but lately, I’ve realized there’s more to life than working your ass off all the time, especially when it’s not worth it.”

“What do you mean?”

She leans forward, her elbows on the table as her arms cross. “There’s more to life than work, and I know me saying that sounds insane, but it’s true. I thought my standings at work dictated my whole life, and ever since we left college, I’ve been struggling to find a balance between it all.”

That sounds eerily familiar. I took a bit of time off in between this job and graduating to help take care of my father, but I still worried every second about not being able to find a job over here. It’s hammered into you your entire four years at university—your first job post-graduation is the most important thing you’ll do. It’s all I obsessed over at our internship and in our classes.

I guess as I look back with all I know now, it really doesn't matter that much.

I miss having a life that didn't revolve around work. I miss being able to leave work at the office, but I find it keeps seeping out while I’m at home. It’s probably part of the reason I’ve been stressed out ever since I got back here—besides all the shit with my dad, of course.

“You have to take time to find out who you are in the world, not just at the office. It’s become abundantly clear to me recently I’ve been putting too much focus on things that drain me.” Shetakes another sip of her drink. “Brody being an asshole opened my mind more than I care to admit.”

I take a bite of my food. “You’re right. Is that why you want me to say yes to the publishing company as a client? To focus more on your life?”

She shrugs her shoulders. “Maybe. Or maybe I’ve outgrown the job I do now. I haven't really decided yet.”

I never thought I’d see the day Ella Williams would be saying all this. The girl was a fucking force to be reckoned with at our internship. Before her, I’d never seen anyone so passionate about anything, let alone what we were doing.

Now that I know her a little better, I know that’s who she is as a person. In everything she does, Ella gives her all. I don’t think she knows a setting below one hundred and ten percent.

I want to ask her about us, about the pact we made, but I have no idea where to start or what to say, so the two of us eat and drink in silence.

If I ask her, she might get up and leave. We were only supposed to have sex one more time before she called it off. Maybe she thinks that twice with me—technically four, if you count the other two—is enough. Nobody else has ever lasted this long, and it still shocks me she agreed to fuck me more than once on purpose.

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