Roger stops messing with his phone and looks me in the eye. "You do and you're fired."
"Don't bother. I quit. I don't want to work for a place like this." I storm out of there, not the least bit regretful of what I just did. Roger knows how important that inn was to me. He knows it wasn't just about business, but about saving a piece of history—an inn like the one my grandfather had. He knows how infuriated I was when the new owners tore down my grandfather's inn after telling him they wouldn't.
I've told Roger that story many times. So to hear that he plans to tear down the inn makes quitting this job one of the easiest decisions I've ever made.
After stopping by my office to pick up my things, I leave to go deal with another decision I made. It, too, was easy, but it took me forever to make it. I just hope I'm not too late. And I hope she hasn't left for work.
It's just after eight and she typically doesn't start work until nine. I was going to go talk to her tonight but now that I'm not stuck in the office, I'm going over there now.
I've never been to Sophie's apartment but I've been to the building. Celine's friend, Anna, lives there and had us over for dinner last summer. I hope I don't run into Anna. She hates me for ending things with Celine, at least that's what Celine said, but it's probably true given that Anna is one of Celine's closest friends.
When I get to Sophie's apartment, I stand at the door and hear her inside. It sounds like she's walking really fast. She's probably hurrying to get ready for work. I'll just say what I have to say and then leave, hopefully with plans to see her later tonight.
I knock on her door.
"I'll be out in a few minutes!" she yells, sounding angry. "You said I had all day!"
What is she talking about?
"Sophie?" I knock again. "Sophie, it's me. Aiden."
The sound of her footsteps immediately stops, replaced by silence.
"Sophie?"
She doesn't answer.
"Sophie, I know you're in there. Open the door. I just want to talk."
I think I heard her swear but I'm not sure.
"Okay, well, I'm just going to hang out here until you open the door."
I'm pretty sure I hear her sigh, followed by footsteps.
She opens the door, looking exhausted but just as beautiful as ever. She's not wearing makeup and her hair is up in a messy ponytail with loose strands around her face. I want to pull her in my arms and kiss her but I don't think she'd like that. From the look on her face I can tell she's still mad at me. In fact, she looks even angrier than the last time I saw her.
"What are you doing here, Aiden?" she asks, leaning against the door frame.
"I need to talk to you. Can I come in?"
"No. I'm leaving soon and the place is a mess."
I peek behind her and see boxes stacked up and garbage bags everywhere.
"What happened to your place?" I ask. "Why is everything boxed up?"
"I'm moving."
"You got a new apartment?"
She looks down, then back up. "Aiden, I really need you to go. I need to be out of here soon."
"Where are you going?" I notice she's not wearing work clothes. She has on jeans and a t-shirt with a hoodie over it.
"Aiden, please don't do this," she says, sounding exasperated with me.
"Do what?"
"Come here pretending this is real. I know it's not. Whatever game you were playing is over."
"Game? What are you talking about?"
"Just go." She steps back to shut the door, but I hold it open.
"Sophie, please just let me explain. I don't know what any of what you just said means but there's obviously been some kind of misunderstanding."
"Really?" She folds her arms over her chest. "Because it seemed pretty clear to me." Her eyes narrow as she looks at me. "I saw the ring, Aiden. And I saw the offer you gave Tom."
"Wait—what ring? What are you talking about?"
"The one you gave Celine. The engagement ring?" She rolls her eyes. "I can't believe you're trying to deny this when there's actual proof that you're engaged."
"I'm not engaged. I haven't talked to Celine in over a week. I broke up with her. How many times do I have to keep saying that before you'll believe me?"
"Celine showed up at the inn last weekend. She showed