Page 127 of The Odds of Happily Ever After
Gabe
I’m alright, Luna. I wouldn’t have missed your birthday for the world.
I had justsent Luna the message when the office door slammed open.
“You quit?” Max almost shouted.
Nora moved fast. Given the circumstances, I couldn’t blame her, though I’d wanted to tell Max myself.
I put my phone down and turned to him. “I resigned, yes. I’m sorry you found out before I could talk to you.”
Yanking over the chair next to mine, Max slumped into it. “What the hell, man? A heads-up would have been nice.”
His voice held a hurt tone that prickled at my conscience. “I planned to tell you in person, but it looks like Nora beat me to it.”
“She caught me coming out of class and told me. I figured that was why you wanted to meet,” Max said. “I know I questioned whether you really wanted this degree, but I didn’t think you’dresign. Who will I bother now?”
“I’ll still be around. I just won’t be on campus anymore.” Not in the same capacity, at least. If things went well with Luna, I planned to be a regular fixture in the parking lot.
“It won’t be the same.” He pouted. “I won’t be able to nag you about hanging out, and you’ll forget me completely.”
“I won’t. You still owe me an introduction to Paul,” I reminded him because he’d promised to, and also to distract him from becoming sentimental. After getting a dose of that from Nora, I wasn’t ready for more.
“Ah, that’s right! He’s been looking forward to meeting you since our master’s years. He’s not going to believe you quit,” Max said. “Hang on. Whydidyou resign? Nora told me she’d leave you to explain.”
Gratitude rushed into me at Nora’s discretion. It would have been easy to use my reasons as fodder for gossip, and I had no doubt other people would, but I’d been right to trust her. “Two things,” I began.
“Wait, let me guess. You realized you want to focus on your consultancy?”
I nodded.
“I knew it. You’re going to take over the investment world and become filthy rich.”
“I’m prioritizing my career fulfillment.”
His chuckle contradicted his head shaking. “That could be your tagline. So what’s the second reason?”
“Relational fulfillment.” That didn’t sound too sappy, did it?
Max stared at me, his eyes growing larger by the second. Then he gasped. “It’s true, isn’t it? I overheard some girls squealing about how you were making out with a student in a club.”
At least they’d kept it to kissing. That was tamer compared to the rumors I’d feared.
Max crossed his legs and swung the top one back and forth. “I thought it couldn’t be true because you’ve never struck me as an exhibitionist. You’re only the most private, self-controlled man I know.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence.” I drummed my fingers on the arm of my chair. “The truth is, I went to a club for a student who was celebrating her birthday with her friends.”
“Don’t tell me. It’s your friend’s sister, right? Luna Reyes. You asked to switch our classes so she wouldn’t be in yours.”
“Good memory,” I murmured.
He burst out laughing. “You never did that before or since. How could I forget it?”
“Nothing was going on at that time.” We weren’t even friends back then. How things had changed—and thankfully so.
“No wonder you were so evasive about your dating life. Does this mean you’re together now?”
I rubbed the back of my neck. “We’re working things out.”
