your fault,” I echo his words back to him.
“I didn’t mean those words. I have come to realize you were right. It’s not your fault.”
“You should have realized that to begin with,” I reply. “Now, it’s too late. I was willing to give you a chance, but now, now I see you for who you really are, and I don’t want to take a chance on someone who could flip that fast on me again. So no, Atlas, you cannot go between my legs because you’re not welcome there. Now, please leave.”
Atlas reaches out, and I flinch. His brows pinch together like he didn’t expect that reaction from me, and then he drops the keys into my hand. When he does, he reaches up and brushes a stray piece of hair away from my face and behind my ear. “A love so cold and broken isn’t meant to last, it’s meant to destroy,” he says, and my breath hitches. He leans down, his mouth near my ear. “I like to destroy pretty things, and you, my dear, are the prettiest thing ever.”
His words send a shiver through my body.
Not just for the last part that he whispered but from those first words.
Love.
Is that what we had?
I don’t think we were quite there, but we were close. We could have fallen deeply in love. Of this, I have no doubt. But our road took us in different directions, and it didn’t lead me back to him. Instead, it swerved and hit a fucking tree.
I reach up and touch his face. He’s shocked by my action, but doesn’t pull away as I run my thumb over his lips and wish like hell I could kiss them. But that would be wrong, and falling back down that dark, drunk on him road will not end well, especially for me.
“Goodbye, Atlas.” I drop my hand standing and step back.
He closes his eyes for a split second, and I see the pain etched in the lines on his face then he shakes his head. “The paperwork is on the desk. It’s all yours.” Atlas looks at the keys in my hand and walks out. After he leaves, I manage to release a deep breath I didn’t know I was holding and the anxiety along with it.
“That was your boyfriend, right?” Marissa asks. “I heard he gave this to you for some ridiculous price. Girl, you must have some sort of magical pussy.” Marissa laughs.
I don’t.
Her laughter quickly dies on her lips.
“Should we do an announcement now it’s done?” She looks at me. “It is done now, right?”
“It’s done,” I manage to say.
I just don’t know what I am referring to.
The day is chaotic, literally. Everything has changed, and nothing’s in order. How they are managing to send out any damn orders is beyond me. Most are late, some are on backorder, and there are so many complaints I don’t know where to start. It’s as if everyone who works here stopped caring. I stay back most of the night after everyone is gone. I can’t let this place down now it’s mine. I plan to make this company amazing. Customer service will be our top priority, our number one concern.
When Chloe owned it, it was all about income and nothing else.
Yes, I want to make money, but I also need to run a tight ship. And I let the girls know that today—no slacking whatsoever will be tolerated. This must work, and I know how to make it succeed, I will need to put a lot of work in, but that’s what I’m good at.
Tina ends up stopping by, and I let her in only because she brings me food. I simply cannot afford the time for chit-chat. She looks around, smiles, and talks while I look around at what I have to change and fix.
“You got this! You do,” she reassures as I walk her to the door. “Now, you need to get a car. You sure I can’t take you home?” she asks.
“No, I’ll call a cab. I might go car shopping next week. I’ll have to see how things go.” I shrug. Catching a cab isn’t killing my bank account, but I should probably get a car, especially since some nights I know I will be staying late like I am right now.
“I don’t feel comfortable leaving you here this late by yourself.”
“It’s safe, I’m safe. Everything is locked up tight. I promise,” I reassure her.
The only problem is last time I