Page 90 of Boss Level

That was fine. I’d pick my interpretation and make the final decision. “I’m sorry to hear that, but I understand. I’ll have a buy-out offer to you by Wednesday, that’s based on the terms of our contract.”

“You’re making a mistake,” he repeated.

And if he didn’t have anything new to say, this conversation was over.

“No, you are. AcesPlayed is about to take off in ways I don’t think you can wrap your brain around. We will be one of the biggest game companies in the world. People will know our name, and not just because we make a game with sex and nudity. But your opportunity with us has passed. You’ll have a buy-out offer by Wednesday. Happy holidays, Mr. Lent.”

I hung up in the middle of his sputter-sigh.

He was wrong about something else, too. The same thing I’d been wrong about for a long time. AcesPlayedwaspersonal, and I could mix that with business and still be successful. I had up to this point, and there was no reason to cut myself off now from a good thing.

I just needed Xander to realize that us admitting how we felt about each other didn’t mean the world ended. It didn’t stop me from being more for him, and that maybe us loving each other, loving Dom, was the best possible way to give the world the finger.

I dialed his number, and after several rings, went to voicemail.

Please, Xander, for once in your life don’t be an unyielding ass about this.

31

dominic

Xander and I decided to spend Sunday afternoon cleaning out my office. I’d still be on long enough to transition clients and any outstanding work, but I wanted my personal items out of there now. I was ready to make a clean break.

The books were the easiest to box up, and the heaviest to haul out, so we took care of those first. When the back of my SUV was stacked with a few rows of books, we returned to my office for the trinkets.

I pulled my framed degree off the wall, and an ache pinged in my chest. “I thought I’d be here until I retired,” I said softly.

“I know.” Xander pressed into my back. “But what’s ahead of you is even better.”

Right. A fresh start. A place I didn’t have to hide me. Us.

Xander pressed his lips to my cheek, took the diploma from me, and set it carefully in a box. “Besides, you still have me, and I’m incredible.”

“True.” My chuckle dropped off as a new thought slid in. Was I a failure as a lawyer that I hadn’t seen such an obvious counter sooner? “Why are you good for me and not Judith?” I didn’t want to pick a fight, but I had to know.

Xander frowned and leaned his weight against the edge of the desk. “I was hoping you wouldn’t ask that until I figured out the answer myself. It’s the same question that’s been nagging me since Rosie left this morning.”

I took the spot next to him, our arms pressed together. “Sorry-not-sorry. Why does your loving her mean she won’t succeed, but it doesn’t mean the same for you and me?”

“Because…” Xander cleared his throat with a cough. “She doesn’t need me. She never has.”

I wanted to saythat’s not true. Anyone could see they needed each other. That assurance had to come from her, and I was afraid if I said anything, he’d stop talking.

“You and I, we make each other more,” Xander said. “Since that first night, I saw something in you… We make each other better.”

I felt like we were close to the truth but not quite there. “So do you and Judith. Look, I don’t care if you think she’s perfect and can do no wrong.”

“I don’t—”

He did. “And I don’t care if you want to keep her on a pedestal,” I talked over him. “My point is, she may not want to be up there, and if you’re going to put her there, you belong up there with her.”

“That doesn’t make sense.”

I rested my head on his shoulder. “Neither do your reasons for refusing to admit how you feel about her. I love you, but sometimes you’re as stubborn as a rock.”

“That doesn’t—” Xander let out a noise exhale. “Do you want to make a detour when we’re done here?”

To Judith’s. The unspoken part of the question was as loud and clear as the rest of it. “Yeah. I do.”

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