Yeah, that story blows. I’m not saying a word. I don’t want her pity. She never doubted herself or her self-worth. “I met Dad’s new partner a few minutes ago.”
“I guess I didn’t realize you haven’t met Damon. He’s the greatest. A real family man.”
“You know him?” My heart skips a beat.
“Yes, we met years ago at a conference. Your dad and Damon hit it off from day one and could spend hours talking about business. They drove me to the bar. I couldn’t take all the insider bullshit.”
I laugh. Soraya loves my dad, but she’s never been keen on the business side of things. She operates an advice column for an online magazine. People adore her blunt, in your face advice. Soraya doesn’t mince words or put up with people’s bullshit. I cringe. That’s the real reason I haven’t told her.
A part of me is stupidly holding out hope Damon cares about me and is going to barge through the door and declare his undying love for me. Nothing in my office moves. Especially the door.
More importantly, I don’t want to hear Soraya’s slap in the face honesty that I’m never going to be with him.
“What did you think of him?”
He’s hot as fuck, and I love touching his hard body. I choke and cough uncontrollably for several seconds. “He seems pleasant enough.” Shit. The lies keep coming. Once I start, there’s no stopping in sight.
“I’m glad you liked him. I know your dad is looking forward to having you intern for him.”
“Why?” It doesn’t make any sense. I can learn everything I need to know from my father.
“You’ve worked with your dad for years. I think he wants you to get experience from someone else.”
“I guess I get that.” My face flushes, and my nipples tighten. Oh Lord, did I get experience. The image of being in Damon’s arms as he held me against a wall while slamming his cock into my sex fills my head. Fanning myself, I grab a glass of water and pray I don’t choke again.
We talk for a few more minutes and make plans for dinner later in the week. I try to eat with them and my younger brother, Lorenzo, at least once a week.
After I hang up, I push out my seat and move to the window. The city skyline goes on for miles – my dad’s building towers over several other structures in the neighborhood.
What would Soraya think of Damon and me? How do I get out of working with him without telling everyone what happened? How do I work in the same office with him every day and not get my heart broken? I want to ask her all these questions, but I can’t.
I’ll call Dalilah and get her advice. I grab my cellphone, swipe open the screen, and scroll to her number. When my finger hovers over the image, I stop. What in the hell is wrong with me? I groan and run a hand over my forehead. I can’t ask Dalilah.
Her idea would most likely involve me seducing Damon and either ruining his life or tricking him into marriage. She’s not exactly reasonable. Her idea of thinking through a plan is plowing forward like a bulldozer until a butterfly flits through the air and then she switches direction. I love her, but she’s my complete opposite.
Despite what my father and Damon accused me of, I am responsible. I do think things through and consider other people’s reactions to potential plans and solutions. They can both kiss my ass if they don’t think so.
“What am I supposed to do?” I whimper and stare at my desk. Soraya’s advice column. I’ll ask her anonymously what to do. That’s a great idea. I can keep my identity secret and still get her opinion.
I boot up my computer and go to Soraya’s website. Once I get to the right place, I write my letter.
Dear Soraya,
I need your advice. A little over a week ago, I met this guy. He seemed perfect. We got along great. Our chemistry was out of this world. At least, I thought it was. His family liked me, which is amazing considering we have a substantial age difference.
The problem is, I started to care for him, but he blew me off. A part of me hoped the only reason he didn’t see a future between us is we’re from two different parts of the country, but now we’re in the same city, working in the same building.
God, this sounds pathetic as I read this back. I expect you will say, ‘He’s just not that into you,’ but I don’t want to hear those fucking words.
Damn it, I shouldn’t curse. Good girls don’t swear. At least that’s how I was raised, but if any situation deserves a good f-bomb, it’s this one. Anyway, now, we’re stuck working together. What do I do? Shit. I don’t even know what I want advice for.
Losing My Mind in The Big Apple
My finger hovers over the mouse. Should I give her that much information? What if she figures it out because I say, ‘The Big Apple’?
I hit the backspace button and delete the previous ending.
Lost My Heart in The Mountains
There. That’s better. No one knows I was in Tahoe. That’s safer. My finger rests on the mouse.
Oops. I can’t send it from my email address. My face warms at my stupidity. I click over to a second tab and open a new email account. It’s something easy I will remember but is in no way connected to me.
I click the mouse and hit ‘send.’ Then, I flip to my new email address and wait for several minutes. The only email I receive is a welcome message.
Why doesn’t she respond? My toe taps on the floor as I stare nervously at the empty screen.
Stop it. She’s not going to respond this soon. Hell, she might not even answer until she posts it in the magazine. That could be weeks from now.
Switching to my standard email, I read the first message. One of my professors posted an assignment via email, so I spend an hour going over the task and forward my response.
My eyes drift to the open tab for my new email address. Don’t look. You’re wasting your time. Crap. I tap on the tab button and am once again rewarded with an empty folder. When I move the mouse to click out of the screen, a message pops up.
My fingers shake. Do I want her opinion? God, yes. Even if I hate her response, it’s better than nothing. Because right now, I have no idea what to do. My only other option is going to my dad and asking to be moved to another person. I wince.
Dear Lost My Heart in The Mountains,
I’m sorry you’re going through this situation. It sounds complicated and confusing. I’m going to respond to you as if you were my daughter.
Holy cow. My heart pounds against my rib cage. Surely, she doesn’t know it’s me. I shake my head. There’s no way she can know.
If you have such a connection with this gentleman, maybe it’s worth exploring his reasoning for ‘blowing you off.’ Could there be something more going on than you think? It sounds like your connection was electric.
At the beginning of many relationships, it is normal to fear being open and honest, which results in misinterpretation of things. This might not be the case, but it’s worth your consideration before you dismiss him.
Either way, if you are working together, you should behave as a professional adult. You sound like a mature, responsible woman, so I believe you can handle more than you think.
Good luck. Trust your instincts. And best wishes.
Soraya
Your Trusted Seer
P.S. He sounds kind of hot, so keep me posted!
Soraya’s words swim in front of my eyes.