Page 58 of Frankie and the Fed
Wow. That escalated quickly. “I’m not leaving,” I say, trying to talk some sense into her. “You’re not making sense. I’ll come back in the evening after you’ve calmed down, and we can talk like two grown people.” I collect the keys and go outside.
I pound my hands on the steering wheel hard. Fuck.
What happened there? Did we just break up? I have no idea, and it’s not what I meant to happen. After yesterday, I was sure that everything was working out and falling into place. She’ll come live with me, and we’ll get married. We’ll grow old together. It’s something I never thought I’d have, and now I want nothing else.
Was I wrong when I asked her to come back with me? I thought it was obvious when she agreed to give us a chance. After all, she knows where I live and where my businesses are.
I drive back to the hotel and log in to all the Zoom meetings that were already planned for today while repeatedly looking at the phone.
She sends nothing. Fucking hell. I was sure she would calm down.
I look up from the phone when I realize that someone is asking for my attention in the meeting.
“Wolf, what do you say about the campaign we proposed?” one manager asks, and I don’t know what he’s talking about.
“Can you go back to the numbers, please?” I ask him. You can always understand what you need from the numbers.
I go through the presentation and ask for a few changes. When all the details are closed and approved, we end the meeting, and I return to the phone. My heart skips a beat when I see the message.
Ayala
I need some time apart. We jumped in too fast.
This is a nightmare. Just another one of my nightmares. Must be. Because our night together was perfect. She can’t possibly want to break up the day after.
I’m on edge, waiting for the next meeting to end. Then I grab the car keys and hurry to her. I won’t let her throw away what’s between us so easily. I promised I would be here for her, that I would wait, and I intend to keep my promise.
CHAPTER24
Ayala
As the hours pass, I am more and more convinced that I made a mistake with Ethan. I shouldn’t have jumped into bed with him. I let the romantic in me take over. The horrible day I’m having at work certainly does not contribute to my mood. Nothing goes right.
The photos for the campaign I ordered turned out horrible, and I had to order new photos. One of our editors wrote a Facebook post against surrogacy that was blown out of proportion, requiring full damage control. When I asked him to write an apology post, a loud argument started. Toby came in and forced me out of the room. The big boss needs to solve problems for me? Not good.
When we finally leave for a late lunch break, I head to the cafeteria by myself. I buy a cinnamon cake instead of the expected. There is nothing like sugar to improve my mood.
I don’t know what I want. I love him, but we are running too fast. I am drawn into his vortex when I don’t know myself well enough yet. After what happened, I’m not in a hurry. I want to be sure.
My phone rings, and on the line is the only person who can give me advice about Ethan.
“Hi, Olive,” I say between bites.
“Ayala! The article you did about the store is crazy. You don’t know how many followers it added for me. And everything here is insane. We sold all the dresses, and I’m sure it’s mostly thanks to you.”
“Awesome! I’m so happy for you. This is amazing.”
“Right? I’m crazy busy. I thought it would take me two years to recoup the investment, and now it looks like it’s going to happen in a few months! Can you believe it?”
“I knew you would do awesome. Ethan invested in you. He knows a good thing when he sees it.”
“Speaking of the devil, Ethan texted me that he’s in San Francisco. Does that mean you’re back together?” she asks in a voice full of hope.
“Hmm... Do you have time for a story?” I finish eating the cake.
“Sounds like I should have time for a story, so yes.”
I tell her what happened between us, keeping it brief. “He runs away every time there’s an obstacle.”
