Page 68 of Beautiful Desire

Why the hell are there so many pockets in this purse?

I finally pull it out and see a photo Gia sent through earlier, and the smile on my face makes me forget every ounce of anger I had. I gently stroke a finger over the picture on the screen before scrolling and hitting dial on Gia’s number. Thankfully, she answers almost right away.

“Hey. What’s up?” she asks in her perky voice.

“Oh, nothing. I just wanted to check in and see how everything was going today.”

The urge to run out of here and go straight to Fabi and Gia’s house is almost overwhelming right now. Tears form in the corner of my eyes, the mixture of emotions starting to become too much.

“You sure you’re okay? You sound upset?”

She always knows. Damn it, Gia.

Letting out a deep breath, hoping to alleviate some of these feelings, I tell her, “Yeah, I’m sure. Just wanted to check in.”

“Everything is fine. I promise,” she reassures me.

We quickly say our goodbyes as I hear the sound of a baby crying in the background. I put my cell back into my purse before lifting the picture frame on my desk and tucking the note from Dom into the back.

I stare down at the photo as guilt fills me before putting it back in its place and making my way to the bathroom to avoid anyone seeing the state I’m in.

My eyes well with unshed tears as I reach the thankfully empty restroom and slip into the first empty stall. Closing the lid, I sit down and let the overwhelming amount of tears flow freely.

This has all become too much. We were only ever meant to be one night. Nothing more. How have I let things get so complicated? I never meant to let it get this far. My tears fall fast and hard initially, but after a few minutes, I compose myself, afraid someone else might walk in and make things worse.

The last time I was in a bathroom stall crying at work had to do withhimas well. Thinking back to that time last year and how hard I cried that day, I realize how much my life has changed. How mucheverythinghas changed in this past year.

That was the day I vowed my new life would begin. No more one-night stands. No more party girl Elle. It was time to step up and be a responsible adult. Which is exactly what I need to do now. I need to pull up my big girl pants, get back out there, and finish this day so I can get back to my safe haven.

I exit the stall and splash some cold water on my face, hoping to reduce the redness and puffiness around my eyes. Once I’ve patted my face dry with some paper towels, no doubt removing most of my makeup, I stand up straight and give myself a once-over in the mirror. I run my hands through the mass of blonde hair tumbling freely around my face and try to tame some of the wildness.

My hands drop to my waist as I pull and fix my outfit. As I finish fixing my pencil skirt, I look down to see my favorite pair of silver sparkly heels. With these babies on, I can handle anything. Before leaving, I give myself a little pep talk.

You are not going to allow another man in the office to drag you down again. You’ve been through much worse. It’s almost quitting time. You’ve got this.

I huff out an exasperated breath, trying to get rid of any and all negative thoughts, needing every ounce of fake confidence I can muster to make it through. I hear the sound of the door closing as one of the other girls from the office enters the bathroom. I drop my head to avoid her gaze, hoping she won’t see the state I’m in as I quickly leave, muttering a quiet hello in passing.

Not watching where I’m going, I walk right into a brick wall I’m absolutely positive has never been there before. Looking up, I realize it’s not a brick wall at all, but my boss.

Ugh. Great.

And there goes every ounce of fake confidence I had managed to muster in my pep talk. It should really be illegal to smell so goddamn good all the time. Any time he’s near, all rational thought decides to up and leave.

“Oh, I’m sor—” He stops mid-sentence, and his brows crease and confusion mars his face. “Elle, are you okay?” His voice is laced with concern.

And then I’m hit with the reminder of the note he sent me earlier. The tipping point for my emotions.

Clearing my throat in hopes I can conceal my emotions, I reply, “Yeah. I’m fine, just allergies.”

I give him a tight smile, hoping he’ll take my word and leave me alone. We stand staring at one another for a beat. As I watch him raise an eyebrow at me, I know he doesn’t believe me and isn’t going to let this go.

“Those look like some pretty severe allergies. Can I see you in my office, please, Miss Parker?” he says out loud as the other female exits the bathroom.

Once she’s gone, I feel the heavy weight of his hand fall on my lower back like it did on that first night we met. Like it was made to fit and just sits there so perfectly.

Dom begins pushing me down the corridor and in the direction of his office.

I am not getting out of this.

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