another doctor in the building.
But it was Zach.
In his crisp gray suit and shiny shoes, he entered the lobby with one hand in his pocket, taking a look at the office as he approached.
Dex addressed him. “The Landon Firm is one floor above.”
“Actually, he’s here for me.” I didn’t make eye contact with Dex as I said it, even though I shouldn’t be ashamed. I’d done nothing wrong, and Dex probably had been with several women by now. I turned to Zach. “What are you doing here?” We’d planned to meet at the restaurant.
He came closer, his eyes on me, wearing that arrogant smirk. “I left the office early and thought I’d swing by. Wanted to check out your office.” His hand moved around my waist. “Don’t act like you aren’t happy to see me, sweetheart.” He gave me a gentle squeeze into his side and placed a quick kiss on my lips.
I didn’t turn my cheek because that would be so fucked up to Zach, but I felt uncomfortable the entire time, knowing Dex was standing there and watching the whole thing. It was seriously the most awkward moment of my life.
Zach turned to Dex. “You must be her…wait.” His eyes narrowed. “Dex?”
Dex’s face was pale as milk, his eyes even more lifeless than before. He stared at Zach with steady eyes that didn’t blink at all, and the subtle outline of the vein in his forehead started to come through.
Fuck, why did Zach have to swing by?
Dex didn’t say a word, as if he was incapacitated at the moment.
“You’re a cardiac surgeon?” Zach asked in surprise. “Damn, I had no idea. That’s awesome, man.” He extended his hand to shake his. “Glad to see you’re doing well.”
Dex hesitated before he completed the exchange. “Yeah, thanks.”
Zach turned to me. “I’m glad you two met. Because if he hadn’t poached you from the Trinity Building, this never would have happened. Funny how things work out like that.” Then he looked at Dex again. “Isn’t it?”
Dex didn’t say a word.
I knew Zach well enough to know he knew.
He knew exactly who Dex was without my having to say it.
I cleared my throat, so tense I thought I might throw up. “Zach, I’ll meet you in the lobby. Dex wanted to—”
Dex immediately turned away. “Forget it. There’s something else I need to do anyway.” He walked away without saying goodbye and disappeared into his office. Then his door opened and shut.
Zach shifted his gaze to me, his eyes victorious. “Ready?”
I gave a curt nod. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
Zach sat across from me at dinner, telling me about his day, drinking his wine, acting like nothing had happened. He was his same cheerful self, even pulling out my panties to use as a napkin to wipe away the drop of wine on the corner of his mouth.
I was quiet most of the time, unable to put on the same display.
Zach eventually addressed it. “So that’s the guy who broke your heart, huh?”
I’d told Zach I’d fallen pretty hard for someone, but they dumped me and I was pretty heartbroken about it. I didn’t go into details, and he didn’t ask. The reason why I’d told him was because I didn’t want to be deceitful in any way. Even if this was just casual, he deserved my transparency. “Yeah, how’d you know?”
“Because it was pretty obvious.” He took a drink of his wine before he grabbed his fork and stabbed a stalk of asparagus and popped it into his mouth. “I’ve always liked Dex. Had no idea he was an idiot.”
“He’s not an idiot. He just… It didn’t work out.”
“Whatever. His mistake worked out in my favor, so…” He took another drink of his wine.
“He’s my boss, and I see him every day…is that a problem?”
He shook his head. “Doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t bother me that you’re still in love with him either.”
He put me right on the spot, but I didn’t deny it.
There was no reaction to my silent admission. “Because I’ll make you forget about him eventually.”
“I thought this was casual.”
“It is. I just mean, sometimes you have to get under someone to get over someone. What happened between you guys anyway?”
I stared at my glass of wine as I considered my answer. I didn’t want to share Dex’s private information with anyone, but since Zach and I were seeing each other, I felt like it was unavoidable. “He got divorced just over a year ago, and it’s basically too soon for