Hired Hottie - Kelsie Rae Page 0,73

Alexandra asks curiously.

“Honestly?” I sigh. “I don’t even know anymore. He used me, Alexandra. He practically sold me to Conner in hopes of getting him to withdraw his application for the job. That’s how much Levi cared about our relationship.” Her face doesn’t show an ounce of surprise. “Did you know?”

Giving me a single nod, she tucks a strand of her dark hair behind her ear. “I did know. And I’m so sorry that happened to you. But I will tell you this. You weren’t in his cubicle when he finally realized what was at stake if he didn’t get his head out of his ass. He couldn’t handle seeing you with someone else, and I know for a fact that he regretted bargaining you in the first place. He was jealous as hell, and he was willing to sacrifice his job to get you back. He was an idiot, Charlie. But in the end, he called it off. Doesn’t that count for something? He wanted Conner to leave you alone, and he put the chance at his dream job on the line for you. Hell, if upper management had caught wind of their little agreement, he could’ve easily been fired for it. He was willing to risk that outcome as long as he could ease his conscience. But it looks to me like he lost both of the things he wanted. Talk to him. For him––and for you. Hell, even for Montague Enterprises.” She laughs. “Yes, I’m being a little selfish. We really want him, and we’re trying to figure out how to convince him to take the job. But now that I know what happened between you two, I don’t think I can do it. Not without your help. That being said, if he says no, or if you refuse to help,” she adds, “I completely understand too.”

All the information she divulged hangs in the air, threatening to burst my little bubble of reality that I’d conjured from my perspective until I want to crumble. The silence that follows only proves the ball is in my court, and I need to decide what to do with everything I’ve learned.

I just don’t know where to start.

But one thing is clear. I don’t think I can sum up the effort to keep up anymore small talk, and it’s obvious she’s said everything she came here to say.

Bonnie tugs on the leash again, anxious to continue our run. “I should probably get going. Thank you for telling me, though. And for stopping by. I really appreciate it.”

“Thank you for almost running me over,” she teases. “I was headed into Get Baked to see you, so it really worked out. I guess it was meant to be. But you’re right. I need to get going too. My sister, Bianca, is watching my little girls along with a two-year-old of her own, so I can only imagine the chaos she’s experiencing. I should probably go relieve her.”

Blanching, I cover my mouth at the prospect. “Oh my gosh! I can’t even imagine having to herd that many little kids all at once!”

“I know, huh?” Her tinkling laughter proves that even though parenting is hard, you quickly learn to roll with the punches. “I’ll see you later.”

“You too.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Charlie

Sucking my lips into my mouth, I rock back on my heels and raise my fist into the air for the tenth time in the last thirty seconds. Before I can talk myself out of it––again––I pound on the solid door in front of me.

Then I wait.

And I wait.

And all the while, my heart is racing a million beats a minute while I force my feet not to move an inch from this spot. I know that if I do, I’ll be down the hall before Levi has a chance to answer the door.

However, when the door in front of me creaks open, I’m greeted with a glimpse of Conner instead.

I jerk back in surprise before sliding my hands into the front pockets of my jeans as an awkward silence follows the sound of the squeaky hinges.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, his tone accusatory.

I shouldn’t have assumed Levi would be home, but he wasn’t working at Montague Enterprises anymore so….

“He’s not here,” Conner states. He crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the doorframe.

“I can see that.”

“He’s at his mom’s house. He’s moving in with her.”

Brows raising, I try to peek around his massive frame, but can’t see into their apartment.

“Oh.”

“You didn’t answer