was unreasonable, but I was starting to feel the poor man’s pain.
“And, yet, you answered,” I pointed out.
“I came in early, so I could leave early. That’s how it works, Will,” he deadpanned.
I wanted to laugh. There was a time when we worked around the clock. Choosing to not point that out to him, I got to the point of my call. “I’m struggling,” I told him; plain and simple. Damien was smart enough to know there’d only be one thing I’d be struggling with since everything in my life was pretty perfect.
“Do you love her?”
I leaned back in my desk chair and ran a hand through my hair. “Fuck, I don’t know, Dame,” I answered truthfully. I wasn’t sure if it was love, but it was sure a hell of a lot more than like. No woman has ever made me feel the way Vicky has, back then and now.
One thing about Damien, he didn’t coddle. He’s always been sure about everything in his life, all his answers were black and white; black and white, but to the point. “I can’t help you with an ‘I don’t know’, Will,” he said. “If you love her, close up shop and move your ass to California. If you don’t love her, deal with the loneliness like a man and drink it the fuck away until you can see her again.”
I had to laugh.
Damien was such a dick.
“That simple, huh?”
He let out a sigh and I knew some serious shit was coming next. “Will, I’ve known you most of my life and I have never seen a woman affect you the way Victoria McGrath has. Even when we were younger, I knew the only reason you hadn’t gone after her was because of the shitshow between me and Fiona.” He wasn’t wrong. “All these years later, and all the women who have come and gone, it’s only taken one night with her for you to become a fool with no direction now. Will, you’re in love with her and you probably always have been.”
“It’s too soon for it to be love, Dame.” Wasn’t it?
Damien let out a soft chuckle. “Then you’re talking to the wrong person, Will,” he replied. “I fell in love with Fiona when we were fucking five. And it was love at first sight.”
I wanted to deny it and argue that there’s no way Damien could have known what he felt at that tender age was love, but their love story was proof that Damien has really loved Fiona most his life.
“And you’re okay with me shutting down our East Coast office?” I already knew the answer, but I had to ask, anyway.
“Fuck you, and don’t ever ask me that again,” he said dryly.
“Even if I did shut it down, it would take years to get out from under it,” I pointed out. “What if she doesn’t-”
“Will, if a woman is not willing to wait for a man to rearrange his entire life for her, she’s not worth it,” he said, cutting in. “But you and I both know Vicky better than that.”
I let out a sigh. “It’s just nerves,” I admitted.
Damien let out a snort. “It’s just women,” he corrected. “They make us fucking crazy.”
I couldn’t argue that point. I mean, it had to be true if I was willing to sell off my entire life’s work just to be with Victoria. If that wasn’t fucking crazy, I didn’t know what was.
“True,” I agreed.
“The only thing I ask is that you’re doing all this for love and not just because she’s the best pussy you’ve ever had, Will,” he said, and the words were like a punch to the gut.
“Victoria’s not pussy, Damien,” I snapped.
The silence on the other end was telling.
“No,” he finally said. “No, she’s not, Will. So, talk to her and get rid of this ‘casual’ bullshit you guys got going on and tell her the truth.”
Goddamn women. “You know about that?”
He scoffed. “Of course, I know about that. Fiona tells me almost everything her and Vicky talk about.”
“So, then, you know the size of my dick?” I joked, just to rile him up for being an insensitive asshole.
“Yeah, and it’s still not as big as mine,” he threw back.
Dickface.
But he was right. I needed to put my cards on the table. It was ridiculous to think I could maneuver this relationship without all the facts presented. Of course, Vicky would never consider moving here if she thought we were just a fling.
“So, just put