continued, "and look at what he's doing to you, how you're feeling about yourself since you've been with him, and whether you're truly fulfilled by your relationship, you'll come to your own conclusions."
Something beeped and he pulled his smartphone out of his coat pocket.
"Ah, my latest patient has just entered the world."
He pushed to his feet and looked down at me, setting his hand on my shoulder.
"You'll be the one who gets away.
I'm glad."
I watched him walk briskly out of the cafeteria and collapsed into the seat back the moment he disappeared from view, deflating from exhaustion and confusion.
My gaze moved to the sleeping screen of my tablet.
I didn't have the energy to finish my letter.
I packed up and went to get ready for Angus's arrival.
* * *
"You up for Chinese?" I looked up from the layout of the blueberry coffee ad on my desk into the warm brown eyes of my boss.
I realized it was Wednesday, our usual day to go eat with Steven.
For a second, I considered bowing out and eating at my desk because I wanted to make Gideon happy.
But just as quickly, I knew I'd resent him if I did.
I was still trying to build a new life in New York, which included making friends and having plans that existed outside the life I shared with him.
"Always up for Chinese," I said.
My very first meal with Mark and Steven had been Chinese takeout here in the office, on a night when we'd worked well past closing and Steven had stopped by to feed us.
Mark and I headed out at noon, and I refused to feel guilty about something I enjoyed so much.
Steven was waiting for us at the restaurant, seated at a round table with a lacquered lazy Susan in the middle.
"Hey, you."
He greeted me with a big bear hug, then pulled a chair out for me.
He studied me as we both sat down.
"You look tired."
I guessed I must really look like shit, since everyone kept telling me that.
"It's been a rough week so far."
The waitress came by and Steven ordered a dim sum appetizer and the same dishes we'd shared for that first late-evening meal - kung pao chicken and broccoli beef.
When we were alone again, Steven said, "I didn't know your roommate was gay.
Did you tell us that?" "He's bi, actually."
I realized Steven, or someone he knew, must have seen the same newspaper Cary had showed me.
"I don't think it came up."
"How's he feeling?" Mark asked, looking genuinely concerned.
"Better.
He might be coming home today."
Which was something that had been weighing on me all morning, since Gideon hadn't called to tell me definitively one way or the other.
"Let us know if you need any help," Steven said, all traces of levity gone.
"We're here for you."
"Thank you.
It wasn't a hate crime," I clarified.
"I don't know where the reporter got that.
I used to respect journalists.
Now, so few of them do their homework, and fewer still can write objectively."
"I'm sure it's tough living in the media spotlight."
Steven squeezed my hand on the table.
He was a gregarious, playful fellow, but beneath that fun exterior was a solid man with a kind heart.
"But then you have to kinda expect it when you're juggling rock stars and billionaires."
"Steven," Mark scolded, frowning.
"Ugh."
My nose wrinkled.
"Shawna told you."
"Of course she did," Steven said.
"Least she can do after not inviting me along to the concert.
But don't worry.
She's not a gossip.
She won't be telling anyone else."
I nodded, having no anxiety about that.
Shawna was good people, but it was still embarrassing having my boss know I'd kissed one man while dating another.
"Not that it would be a bad thing for Cross to get a taste of his own medicine," Steven muttered.
I frowned, confused.
Then I caught Mark's sympathetic gaze.
I realized the gay newspaper wasn't the only news they'd seen.
They must have seen the photos of Gideon and Corinne, too.
I felt my face flush with humiliation.
"He'll get a taste," I muttered.
"If I have to cram it down his throat."
Steven's brows shot up, and then he laughed and patted my hand.
"Get him, girl."
* * *
I'd barely returned to my desk when my work phone rang.
"Mark Garrity's office, Eva - " "Why is it so damn difficult for you to follow orders?" Gideon asked harshly.
I just sat there, staring at the collage of photos he'd given me, pictures of us looking connected and in love."Eva?" "What do you want from me, Gideon?" I asked quietly.
There was a moment of silence, then he exhaled.
"Cary will be moved to your apartment this afternoon