Page 30 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
"I was as shocked as you are." I pick up my weights again, wincing slightly as I shift my position and accidentally bump my injured ankle. "He talked them into the San Diego facility, even. It passed because of him."
"Wow." Sydney whistles low. "That's… unexpected."
"I know." I focus on my breathing as I continue the exercise, trying to stop myself from reading too much into it. "And afterward, when everyone was leaving? He was staring at me."
"Staring?" Sydney perks up immediately. "What kind of staring? Like annoyed staring or…"
"No," I admit reluctantly. "Not annoyed. More… intense? I don't know how to describe it. But I caught him watching me multiple times. And when our eyes met, he didn't look away. It was like he was trying to communicate something."
Sydney's face breaks into a knowing grin.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I say. “And it’s not gonna happen. I already thought once that he might have changed, but he hasn’t. He’s probably just trying to get on my good side.”
We move to the cable machine, and Sydney helps me position myself on the seat, placing my crutches within reach. I'm grateful that the upper-body equipment doesn't require much movement from my legs.
"Yeah, but maybe he’s learned some things since that night at the party,” Sydney points out.
“It was just the other day,” I grumble. “I doubt it.”
I start pulling the cables, focusing on the burn in my shoulders rather than the flutter in my stomach. "Even if that were true — and I'm not saying it is — it wouldn't matter."
"Why not?"
"Because I know better now." The cables clank as I release them slowly. "Oscar is all about the money. Always has been. That'swhy he left our startup — left me — all those years ago. For a bigger paycheck."
Sydney gives me a skeptical look. "If he's all about the money, why did he back your plan instead of the cost-cutting one?"
It's a fair question, one I've been asking myself since yesterday. "I don't know," I admit. "Maybe he's playing some long game. Building my trust before pulling the rug out from under me."
"Or maybe," Sydney suggests, taking her turn at the machine, "he's trying to make amends. Show you he's not the same guy who walked away twelve years ago."
I watch her complete her set, trying to ignore the tiny spark of hope her words ignite. A part of me still remembers how it felt to be the focus of his attention, to share dreams and plans and inside jokes. Still wonders what might have been if I hadn't rejected him, if he hadn't left.
"It doesn't matter," I say finally, more to myself than to Sydney. "I can't go there again."
"Why not?" she presses as we move to the next station. She helps me navigate around a pair of weightlifters, steadying me when my crutches wobble on the gym's rubber flooring.
"Because I know I still have feelings for him," I admit quietly once we're settled at the bench press. It's the first time I've said it out loud, and the admission makes my chest tight. "And that terrifies me."
“Hmm…” She twists her lips. “I get it. This meeting, though…”
The weights clank as I rack the bar, my arms trembling slightly from exertion. I sit up slowly, reaching for my water bottle. "It was one meeting, Syd. One decision."
"Sometimes one decision can reveal a lot about a person's character," she says sagely.
We continue through our modified workout, Sydney helping me navigate between stations. Despite my protestations, her words stick with me. Could Oscar really have changed? Or am I setting myself up for heartbreak?
By the time we finish our final set, I'm exhausted — both physically and emotionally. The constant need to be aware of my injury, combined with the mental gymnastics of analyzing Oscar's every move, has drained me completely.
"Want to grab a smoothie before heading out?" Sydney asks as we gather our things from the lockers.
I shake my head. "Raincheck? I should ice this ankle and catch up on some work emails."
"Workaholic," she teases, but gives me a quick hug. "Just promise you'll think about what I said. About giving him a chance."
"I'll think about thinking about it," I reply with a small smile. "That's the best I can offer."
Sydney rolls her eyes. "Fine, be stubborn. But remember, you’ve changed over the years. Other people can too."
