is hurt, Mr. Davenport. As it should be. Only an idiot would break up with you,” she continues, and I stand up from my chair with a jerk.
“I don’t think you should be speaking about her in that way. In fact, I shouldn’t be talking about this with you at all. You should go home. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I speak curtly again while buttoning up my jacket. I’ve changed my mind. I’d like to go home and see Anya after all, even if I can only see her from the door while she sleeps.
“Yes, of course, Mr. Davenport.” Erica gets up and quickly goes to the door. “But I just want to say that you are not exactly the man everyone thinks you are.”
I should be tired of all the gossip and opinions this girl has been spewing, but I’m even more curious now.
“What does everyone think of me?”
She smiles as she pulls open the door.
“I’ll leave that all up to your imagination, Mr. Davenport. I just think more people need to see this side of you.”
I snort as she leaves.
Nobody needs to see this side of me. Weak and vulnerable, losing my mind over a woman who should have been nothing more than an incredible lay.
And now she has taken over every crevice and corner of my mind.
I pack up and leave my office. Erica is still there at her desk, packing up her own stuff.
She sees me walking to the elevator.
“Mr. Davenport, wait! We can take the elevator together!” she calls out to me.
I stop to turn to her. “No, Erica, I think we should take separate ones.”
I know I’ve already made a mistake by encouraging that conversation back there. I need to keep my distance. Keep it professional, as Blaire said.
22
Blaire
I’m trying to smile through the cocktails. Kim and Kirk have invited me to their home, and there are a few of their other friends and family there. Kirk’s brother and his family, his mother too. Kim has her parents there and some other friends of theirs I vaguely know. The party is for all of us who are special to the couple to really get to know each other.
I can’t really focus on anything being said or done around me because the only thing I can think about is Trevor and what he may be doing.
It’s been nearly a week since I stormed out of his office that day. Since I kissed him impulsively, foolishly—before ending it with him. I wish I could take that back. The kiss has given me no closure. If anything, it has only made me more upset.
A parting gift and evidence of what I’ll be missing.
And I really thought that a week would be enough time for me to at least stop thinking about him all the time. But I can’t.
The worst part is that it’s not just him. I miss Anya too. A lot.
I can sense he is purposely keeping her away from me. He has probably even given Rachel some instructions along the same lines. Anya doesn’t randomly pop into my apartment anymore. I haven’t been bumping into them in the hallway or in the elevator.
My heart aches at the thought of what Anya must be feeling right now. I’m sure she’s constantly asking about me. What is he telling her? What excuses is he making?
This is exactly what I wanted to avoid when we first crossed that line of sanity. I didn’t want Anya caught up in this mess, and now we have no choice. She is in the middle of it, and there’s nothing we can do to change that.
Kim appears beside me. She’s drinking sparkling water and her bump is growing every day.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks, placing a hand on my shoulder. I force myself to smile.
“Yes, I’m fine, and I’m throwing you your baby shower. I know you don’t want a big deal but it’s happening.”
Kim smiles as she gently strokes her belly.
“I just don’t want to stress you out, Blaire.”
“It won’t be stressful. If anything, it’ll be a distraction. And I want to do everything I can to help you celebrate this miracle creature growing inside you.”
Kim looks happy, and for a few moments, that brings me happiness. Then I’m reminded of how unhappy Anya probably is, and my stomach muscles clench with pain.
Kim sees it on my face and she sighs.
“I still think you should talk to him, Blaire. Before you completely write him off, you should clear the