Need Me - M. Malone Page 0,52
honeymoon.”
“I bet it’s somewhere tropical. That’s the life. I told Ariana she missed her chance. That roommate of hers got to the prize first.” She taps my arm playfully. “But it looks like my daughter bounced back. The second brother isn’t so bad.”
The piece of croissant I’ve been absently chewing gets stuck in my throat. I cough to clear it. Ingrid jumps at the loud sound.
“Sorry. You said… Ariana used to talk about Andre?”
Ingrid laughs. “Oh yes. She told me when her roommate bagged him. The way she talked about it, I think she was quite jealous.”
Unsure where to look, I take a sip of coffee so I don’t have to respond. Ingrid keeps talking but nothing she’s saying registers. Instead my mind is going over all the early conversations I had with Ariana. She admits to yelling at Andre and slamming the door on him. But was that their only interaction?
I was under the impression she barely knew him. Now that I think about it, there’s no way that can be true. How much time did Andre spend here before he convinced Casey to move in with him? Suddenly I’m envisioning Andre hanging out in this very kitchen while Ariana secretly lusted after him.
Then I remember how she acted back when we first met. She was pushing me away but didn’t actually ghost me until she found out my last name. Was it really out of concern for her friend’s career or was it because I wasn’t the Lavin she wanted to target? Maybe she thought it was better to avoid me so she’d have time to try to get to Andre.
Was I just the consolation prize she settled for after Andre got engaged?
I wrap the croissant I’ve been tearing to shreds in a napkin and throw it away.
“Can you tell Ari that I had to go? I just…have to go.”
Ingrid pauses mid-sentence and frowns. “Well, I–”
Without waiting to hear whatever else she’s about to say, I take my coffee and leave. It’s better if I go now before I say anything I can’t take back.
I sit in the back of the cab, ignoring the driver’s attempts at polite conversation. Going to work is the only thing I can focus on right now.
At least I know what I’m doing there.
When I enter the office, Cheryl looks up and smiles. “Morning! I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”
“Change of plans. I need everything on the NBA deal. And the latest updates on the ready-to-wear line.”
She nods, obviously sensing my mood. I go into my office and shut the door. As I sit behind the desk, my hands shake slightly. Being here isn’t as neutral as I thought. Even this office carries so many memories that are all entwined with Ariana.
All the times I pulled that napkin out of my desk to look at it after she ghosted. The exploding dick bomb and all the meetings I daydreamed my way through while thinking about her. There’s no part of my life she hasn’t touched at some point.
A new email pops up. Cheryl has already forwarded the files I need. Introducing a more affordable line of menswear has been my pet project and lately I’ve been neglecting it. At least now I’ll have a chance to catch up. I’m sure Ari won’t miss me being there this morning. She has her mother with her. They’re probably laughing about my quick departure. I groan and resolve to focus. But after reading the newest report from my manager of domestic sales, all I can do is bang my head on the desk.
Cheryl knocks and then opens the door. “Everything okay?”
“Perfect. Except sales teams are having trouble getting placement for the ready-to-wear line because the price is still too high.“
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I am talking about it,” I grumble.
She harrumphs. “I have three sons. I know brooding when I see it.”
“Everything is falling apart. I feel like I can’t get it right. The new line can’t get traction. My girl…that’s not going to work. Andre will come back from vacation and find his company in the trash.”
Cheryl closes the door behind her.
“Everything isn’t falling apart. This company is thriving. You are the driving force behind so many changes. Who first came up with the idea for Andre to design for Hollywood? You. Who is the one who pushed him to consider a ready-to-wear line? You.”
Her words soothe a sore spot I hadn’t realized was still there. Years ago, I recognized my brother’s