“Then tell me it isn’t true! Tell me I’m wrong. I mean, if you’re not too afraid.”

“Careful, Walker. You’re taking it too far.”

“You can puff out your chest all you like, the fact remains you’re too much of a coward to admit the truth.”

Richard jumps up from his chair. “Who are you calling a coward?”

“You, it’s what you are!”

“It’s better if we end this conversation now before either of us says something we can’t take back. You want the truth: I can’t stand to look at you right now.”

“Oh, the coward wants to run away. How surprising.”

“I’m out of here.” Richard rounds his desk and is out of the door and leaving the main office before I can say anything.

Nuh-uh. He’s so not getting out of this one.

I follow him. “You want to run?” I yell. “Fine. Run! But remember I can run faster.”

I don’t care if everyone in the office is blatantly staring at us. It’s time Richard and I had this discussion and if he wants to have it in full public… his choice.

He stops in his track and turns toward me, eyes glaring. “What’s that even supposed to mean?”

“That I don’t quit. That I don’t run away from the things that scare me. I run after what I want.”

“No, you live in a world of unicorns and rainbows. Real life is not like that.”

“Real life is what you make of it.”

“Walker, I’m sorry. I don’t live in a pink cloud of optimism.”

“No, right. You prefer a black hole of fear.” Ah, gotcha. He gapes at me but doesn’t reply so I go ahead and announce it to the world, “I love you, Richard Stratton, and I’m not afraid of saying it.”

“Love isn’t enough.”

“Love is everything.”

“It’s not.”

“It is for me. Tell me you don’t love me and you’re free to go. This is the last you’ll hear of it. Come on, say it. SAY IT!”

Frown deeper than ever, jaw clenched, Richard shakes his head. With a seething look, he turns on his heel and walks out of the office.

Bang! The doors slam shut, and I’m left standing in the middle of the room like an idiot. Chest heaving, breath ragged, the same as if I had just run a marathon.

I lost.

People around me seem intent on their screens. They must think I’m a t-Rex. That if they don’t move, I won’t know they exist. Even Indira is avoiding my gaze. Figures. What could they possibly say to a colleague who just embarrassed herself in the worst possible way and was publicly turned down by her boss, their boss?

The only soul who shows any sympathy is Chevron. She nuzzles my calves in a comforting gesture, whining understandingly.

What now? Should I crawl back to Manhattan and beg Évoque for the job? It’s clear I can’t keep working here. I knew having a relationship with the boss was wrong. I knew commitment-phobic men don’t turn into commitment-happy boyfriends overnight. Despite all that, I gave it my best try, and now I’m back where I started. No job. No love life. Well, at least I have a loyal companion. I pat Chevron’s head, pick my dignity up off the floor, and turn back toward my desk. I need to collect my things and get ready to leave. For the day? Forever? I don’t know.