The Boss Deal - Penny Wylder Page 0,30
The words come tumbling out, and I can't stop it.
Vanessa stays still, her eyes shifting between mine as the corner of her lip twitches.
“I'm so sorry, Vanessa,” I spit out, taking another step forward. “I know you said you like him, and I tried to—”
She holds up her hand, stopping me from talking. “I'm shocked,” she says sternly, her mouth slack and wrinkles forming across her forehead as her brows bend in. “I'm shocked you think I don't already know.” She starts to smirk, and her demeanor relaxes.
“What?” I ask, unable to grasp what she's telling me.
“Misty,” she says, stepping forward and grabbing both my wrists. “I can see it. I could see it back in New York. I'm surprised you thought I couldn't tell.”
“I just didn't want to hurt you. You said you liked him, and I wanted to respect that.”
“Misty,” she says my name like a mother who's disappointed that their child didn't know better. “You're my best friend, and I hardly know the guy, I would never let a guy ruin our friendship.”
“Really? So you're not mad?”
“No, I'm not mad. I'm happy for you, I'm also wondering why you've never baked me a cake, but we can talk about that later. Go talk to Nick, tell him how you feel. I'll close up here and meet up with you later.”
“Oh, where would I be without you?” I ask, leaning in to hug her tight.
“Single,” she answers with a laugh. “I'm taking credit for this match making business, just so you know.”
Laughing with her, I grab my purse and phone and give her a wave before running out the door. The hotel is only a ten minute walk up the street, so I hit the pavement with heavy steps.
'Hey, we need to talk.' I hit send and watch the screen, waiting for him to text me back. There's no little swirling circle or moving bubbles to indicate he's typing.
'Please, let’s talk.' I text him again, hoping to get something from him.
Nothing.
He has to be pissed.
Nick wanted one thing, and I denied him. He wasn't afraid to tell me how he felt, and all I did was shove an open palm in his face. I feel like an asshole. Like I strung him along, and now I'm done with him.
I'm not that kind of girl. I don't play with people's feelings. I was just trying to respect my friend, but in the end, she's on our side anyway.
Reaching the hotel, I get to the room, and slide my card through the lock. The door lock buzzes, and I run into the room, expecting to see him there.
“Nick!” I call out, checking the small space. “Nick!” I say his name again, and open the bathroom door, but it's empty.
My suitcase is still on the floor by the window, but he's gone.
Dropping down onto the bed, my hands fall weightlessly into my lap as tears spring up in my eyes.
He's gone.
I drove him away.
My phone pings, and I pull it out of my pocket. Opening the message, it's from him.
'I'm heading out early. You made your choice and I'm going to respect it.'
Tears fall down over my cheeks, plopping onto the phone screen. Wiping them away, I read his message again and again. I'm such a fool. I had something good, I had something real and true, and I let it walk away.
You can't let him go. My inner voice speaks up, and it grows louder and louder.
Take what you want, that's how this love works. If you want him, go get him.
Running back down to the bakery, Vanessa is still inside, just checking things out.
“Vanessa,” I say winded as I gasp for air. “I need your car.”
“My car?” she asks, quirking a brow.
“He left, he's heading back to New York right now. I need to catch him.”
Pulling her keys from the pocket in her jacket, she tosses them to me from across the room. “Bring it back in one piece.”
“Thank you.” Tipping my head, I give an anxious smile and head for her car.
I don't know the road as well as the ones back home, but I know it enough to go a little faster than I should. Taking corners, I can feel the rubber gripping the pavement as I lean into the turn.
I'm going to find him, he can't be that far from here. The trees are blurring as I drive past, turning into a giant green flash. Rounding a bend, I finally see his car parked in the