Page 57 of Rival Desires

“I took a cab,” she sniffled.

I really didn’t need a weeping woman causing a scene in the office, so I did the only thing I could think of.

“Alright, let me drive you home.”

“Really?” A glimmer of hope sparked in her eyes.

“Yep, no worries.” I glanced at Fury, who was grinning like a loon. “I’ll be back soon.”

He just bobbed his head, watching me intently as I waved for Becky to head towards the elevators.

“Are we really unable to find a secluded spot for a quick meal?” Becky inquired softly, her voice quivering with uncertainty.

“I apologize.” I gave her a brief glance before quickly refocusing my gaze on the gleaming doors in front of me. “We just landed a major account, and I need to review some details with Fury.”

Another sob escaped her. “I understand.”

Great. Just what I needed. More sniffles.

“I genuinely appreciate your understanding,” I managed to say.

“Of course.” She flashed me a warm smile. “You’re an important man who deserves to be looked after.”

I was completely clueless about how to react to that, but fortunately, the doors swung open before I could bumble my way through a response. Instead, I opted to change the subject.

“My car is just over here.” I guided her to my parking spot and swung open the passenger door with a flourish. Sure, I might’ve stumbled over my words around women, but I could still pull off a gentlemanly move or two.

“Thanks, Cory. You’re a real sweetheart.” Her smile was radiant.

I slid into the driver’s seat, and that’s when it hit me: Becky’s voice had totally changed. No more teary-eyed tone, not even a hint of the mess she’d been minutes ago. I glanced over at her; her eyes were dry like a desert highway, and there were zero signs of the waterworks from 30 seconds ago. I didn’t wanna be a jerk and bring it up, so I just cranked the engine and started driving us home. At least I knew where I was headed since we lived in the same building.

“You know, Cory, we never really get to chat,” Becky mused as she placed the cooler on the floor. “Every time I see you, you’re zooming off somewhere. And if you’re always working and too busy to eat, when do you find time to hang out?”

I gave a half-hearted shrug. “I’m just not big on the whole social scene.”

Becky nodded knowingly like a sage bestowing ancient wisdom. “Now, that’s where you’re going wrong. You just haven’t met the right woman to share your time with. Swapping stories about your day and all the work drama? It’s one of life’s treasures, I tell ya. Or maybe youhavemet the right person but just not realized it yet.”

I let out a vague “hmph” as Becky’s words got me pondering the early days with Rylee when we barely exchanged two words. It made me curious about the kind of banter we could’ve had if our first encounter hadn’t been so...well, let’s just say unusual.

But then again, who knows if I’d met Rylee under different circumstances? Without that mask, I might’ve been too bashful to even ask her to dance, which could’ve meant today would’ve never happened.

No rivalry with Nadine. No reason for Rylee to be mad at me. No awkward showdown in front of my whole team.

Becky was still chatting away, but I was only half-listening, her words barely registering.

“...surprises are great, but maybe planning it out would be better...”

No matter how ticked off I was at Rylee for lashing out at me, the hurt cut deeper. I thought we’d moved past all that drama.

“...a coffee break every now and then would be nice...”

I had genuinely believed that once the competition was behind us, Rylee and I could start untangling the mess that was our relationship. I was under the impression that’s what she wanted, too. But now, it looked like she’d rather throw me into a pit of fire than spend another minute with me, let alone be in a relationship.

“You’re a really good listener.”

I glanced over at Becky to find her smiling fondly at me. Then, her words registered, and I felt a stab of guilt for not paying attention. It didn’t, however, stop me from lying. Sort of.

“Thank you,” I said. “You are, too.”

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