“Thank you,” Lisa murmured.
Mia shut the door behind her and waffled a moment over the ethics of what she was contemplating.
Fuck it. What’s the worst that could happen? Another spanking?
She placed her ear against the door and then glanced nervously down the hall to make sure no one could see her. She was dying of curiosity, and okay, maybe she was a teensy bit threatened by Lisa’s visit. It made her feel insecure and…jealous. She could admit to jealousy regarding the other woman. After all, she’d had what Mia didn’t and would never have.
Gabe’s heart.
She listened intently and finally she caught their words as their voices rose.
“I made a mistake, Gabe. Can you not forgive that? Are you willing to turn your back on what we had?”
“You were the one who walked out,” he said, his tone so cold that Mia shivered. “That was your choice. It was also your choice to lie about our relationship and to make a mockery of everything we shared. I didn’t turn my back on you, Lisa. You turned yours on me.”
“I love you,” she said in a softer voice that had Mia straining to hear. “I miss you. I want us back together. I know you still have feelings for me. I can see it in your eyes. I’ll grovel, Gabe. I’ll do whatever I have to in order to convince you that I’m sorry.”
Damn it but they must have moved farther from the door. She couldn’t hear!
“What in the world are you up to?”
She stood straight up, bolting upward in fright. “Damn it, Ash! You scared me to death!”
He crossed his arms over his chest and regarded her in amusement. “Is there any particular reason you have your ear glued to Gabe’s door? Did he lock you out? Already raised the boss’s ire? See, this is why you should come to work for me. I’d pet you and love you and be nice to you.”
“Oh for God’s sake, Ash. Shut up. I’m trying to eavesdrop here.”
“That much is evident,” he said dryly. “Who are we eavesdropping on?”
“Lisa came to see him,” she hissed. “And keep your voice down or they’ll hear us!”
Ash’s smile fizzled and a frown replaced his amusement. “Lisa as in his ex-wife Lisa?”
“That’s the one. I was trying to hear what was going on. All I got was that she’s sorry and she wants him back.”
“Over my dead body,” Ash muttered. “Move over so I can hear.”
Mia scooted back enough that they could put both their ears to the door. Ash held a finger up for Mia to be silent. Duh! She was the one trying to get him to shut up.
“Ah shit, she’s crying,” Ash muttered. “A crying woman is never a good thing. Gabe can’t stand it. He’s toast when a woman cries and that bitch knows it.”
“Don’t you think you’re being a bit harsh?” Mia murmured.
“She f— uh, she screwed him over royally, Mia. I was there. So was Jace. If you ever have any doubt, ask Jace how messed up he was when she went public with her lies. He’s a dumbass if he doesn’t toss her out of his office.”
“Well, that’s what I’m trying to find out if you would be quiet,” she said patiently.
“Right,” Ash said and fell silent as the two strained to hear once more.
“I won’t give up, Gabe. I know you love me and I still love you. I’m willing to wait. I know you have your pride.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” Gabe bit out.
“Oh shit, they’re coming this way,” Ash said. He grabbed Mia’s arm, dragged her down the hallway and then thrust her through the open door of his own office. “Sit,” he directed. “Act like we’ve been having a good ole time.”
He hurried around behind his desk and planted his butt in his chair before propping his feet on top of the polished surface. Not three seconds later, Lisa strode past, her face red with tears. She was putting on her sunglasses to hide the evidence as she disappeared.
“Just hang out here,” Ash said softly. “I wouldn’t want you to go back into the lion’s den so soon after that confrontation.”
A noise outside made them both look up again to see Jace start to walk by. He halted when he saw Mia and did a double take. He entered the office, a frown on his face, and Mia silently groaned. This was beyond awkward. She was stuck in Ash’s office with Jace and she had an anal plug up her ass while Gabe was next door fending off advances from his ex-wife.
“What’s going on? Why is Mia in here?”
Ash shook his head. “Am I not allowed to say hello to my best girl?”
“Knock it off, Ash. Don’t be a dick,” Jace growled. “Was that Lisa I saw walking through the lobby?”