Page 29 of Secret Desire
“I’ve been better,” I said honestly.
“You know, a lot of people had opinions about me and Ariel dating,” she started. “Even Grace and Maeve, they were supportive, but I could tell they were a little cautious, coming over to check me out to make sure I was good enough for Ariel. That I wasn’t just some gold digger.”
“You two are perfect for each other,” I said honestly. “You’ve been good for my sister.”
“We’ve been good for each other,” Sadie said. “And I know your sister very well. This thing with you and Maeve threw her for a loop, but she’ll get over it. It was bugging her that Maeve wouldn’t talk about who she was dating, and her feelings were hurt when she realized why. When she found out it was you, it was like you got pulled out of the little girl box she has you in but she’ll get there. I promise. Theo and Grace and I are all working on her. She’ll come around soon. Don’t lose hope.”
“Maybe it was a mistake for me to come work here,” I said. “Those things Ariel said… well, she doesn’t seem to have a lot of respect for me.”
“I’m sorry sweetie, I know she was hurtful. And so does she, for what it’s worth. She just needs to figure out how to fix things,” Sadie explained. “She stubborn, but she’s not stupid. She doesn’t want to lose you or Maeve.”
She stood up and walked around my desk to pull me into a tight hug. “Hang in there Ashley, everything will be fine.”
“Thanks Sadie, I appreciate it.”
She pulled back but kept her hands on my shoulders.
“Do you love her?” she asked. “I know Maeve’s head over heels for you, but do you feel the same?”
I nodded. “Yeah, I do.”
I hadn’t admitted it to myself until this weekend. I kept telling myself it was a crush, but after losing Maeve, I knew it was much more than a crush.
Sadie patted my face. “Things will work out, you’ll see.”
Once Sadie left I packed up my stuff and headed for the elevator. It was close enough to five, I was going to call it a day. As I turned the corner I nearly ran right into Maeve. She was wearing one of her ‘girl boss’ pantsuits, this one black with a light gray blouse underneath. With her hair pulled back in a low bun and the dark circles around her eyes, she looked like she was coming back from a funeral. I knew the feeling.
“Hey.”
“Ash. How have you been?”
Maeve’s eyes searched mine, looking for what I wasn’t sure. Nothing had changed.
“I’m pretty good. How was your week?” I strove to keep my voice light. Neutral.
“Really busy.”
Ugh. This was painful. We’d worked hard to have a casual and professional business relationship separate from our romantic relationship, but now things were just awkward. And I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
“Oh. My. God! I am so done with all this drama.”
Maeve and I both turned as Theo came storming over, his normally easy-going expression replaced with irritation.
“You love Ashley.” He pointed at me.
“You love Maeve.” He redirected his finger towards Ashley, then pointed towards the hallway that led to Ariel’s office.
“Ariel loves both of you. Y’all need to figure this shit out and talk like grown-ups. But since it’s clear that’s not going to happen, I’m going to need to take care of it myself. As usual.”
He grabbed Maeve’s wrist. “You. Come with me.”
He pointed at me with his other hand. “I’ll help you fix your life next.”
Then he dragged Maeve away.
Maeve
Theo dragged me down the hallway towards Ariel’s office. As we passed by Grace’s door, she came running out.
