But I don’t tell him any of this because I doubt he really cares, and if he were to offer help, it would come with a price. Most people want something in return, and my pride won’t let me ask him for help. I’ve been surviving on my own since I was eighteen years old. I’ll get through this.

I break from his embrace and faint streaks of my foundation smear his white dress shirt. “Nothing.”

“Last time I checked, women don’t cry just to cry. So I’m asking you again, what’s wrong?”

“Why do you care?” I snap. He fixes his mouth as if he’s about to respond, so I shake my head. “I’m fine, really, but thanks for your concern.”

“You sure?” He parks his butt on my desk.

I feel my makeup clumping around my eyes; I bet my mascara is running down my cheeks, and I probably look like a raccoon. As he raises his hand to rub the back of his neck, I flinch out of habit. Like the saying goes, old habits die hard.

I know Gunner isn’t going to slap me, but I can’t help the reaction.

He studies my face like he’s reading a newspaper.

I reach around him and grab the tablet, tapping the red button, and the screen comes alive.

“What do you need me to change on your calendar?” Tension is as thick as a marshmallow.

I peer up, pity dances in his eyes.

“Change the meeting with Kirk Jones to Monday. Sundays are off-limits.” He stands up from the desk and swaggers to the door, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Kirk is one of the shareholders in the business.

“Thanks.”

I didn’t think he heard me, but before he slams my door he says, “Welcome.”

After I inform Kirk of the change, I shoot Izzy an email, updating her on what’s going on in my boring life. She probably won’t reply because she’s somewhere in Africa posing half-naked in front of a camera, chasing her dreams of being a famous model.

I spend the remainder of my workday drowning my sorrows by listening to Halestorm.

* * *

I rented out a hotel room for two weeks; it cost me two legs and a kidney. Now all I have to do is worry about stretching my paycheck until next week, and unless I want to die of starvation, I need to spend my money on food wisely. So I’ll buy noodles, lunch meat, and bread.