Unforgiven(21)

“They have enough going on with their new house and planning their wedding.” She pauses for a moment. “I’ll call Landon this week. Just let him know I’m okay, will you?”
“Yeah, of course.” A now awkward silence settles between us.
“I should probably go now.” No. Don’t hang up. I need you, Lindsay. I need your smile, your laughter—I need you. “Thanks for calling.” Her voice is short and the line goes dead.
Numbly, I sit on the couch, the Braves game on mute playing in the background. My bottle of beer has warmed and I push it to the center of the coffee table. I sit for god only knows how long, trying to feel anything other than absolute devastation.




 
 
“How do you feel about Starbucks?” Mike asks as he leans into my cube with a grin on his face. His tan face looks tired, but in this business, you learn to “fake it till you make it.”
“I feel like that’s the best thing I’ve heard all morning.” I reach for my clutch and slide out of my office chair. “My treat,” I say, wiggling the clutch in front of him as I step out of my cubicle.
“Even better,” he smirks. We walk side by side down the long aisle lined with cubes that lead out to the front lobby. Mike holds the large glass door open as we step out into the sweltering Phoenix heat.
“It’s only nine in the morning. When does this heat end?” I complain and fan my face with my hand.
Mike chuckles and shakes his head, “Late November—so toughen up, buttercup. We have at least three more months of this.”
“I feel like this is the gateway to hell.”
“So dramatic, tsk tsk,” he scolds me with a laugh.
We walk quickly down the sidewalk, cutting through one of the downtown office buildings for a reprieve from the unbearable heat. My heels click along the travertine floors as we slow our pace, drinking in the cool air until we find the line for Starbucks that wraps around the outside of the store. Apparently, 112 degrees does not deter Phoenicians from drinking coffee.
“So your first week is almost done. How are you feeling?” Mike asks as we wait in line.
“Like I made the biggest mistake of my life,” I admit quietly.
“That bad, huh?”
“You could say that.”
“Has Amanda backed off yet? She usually has her claws out for a couple of days, but then backs down fairly quick.”
“Eh, I don’t give a shit about Amanda. I just feel like maybe I bit off more than I can chew by coming to Arizona.”
“Can I make an observation without you getting upset?” Mike asks.
“Of course.”
“If there was anyone who has ever come from a small market and jumped right in and owned this job, it’s you. In the first week, you’ve impressed the hell out of everyone. Why do you think Amanda hasn’t backed down? She’s threatened. You are the real deal, the total package.”
“You’re adorable when you’re blowing smoke up my ass. You know that, right?” I laugh at him. However, his words are comforting. I’ve second-guessed every decision I’ve made in the last month—and honestly have been waiting to fail, my excuse to go running home with my tail between my legs.
“It’s the truth, Lindsay. The camera loves you, the viewers love you, and Rob loves you.” He wags his eyebrows and I can’t contain the eye roll that just happens so naturally.
“What’s his deal anyway?” I ask, referring to Rob’s overly friendly personality. He is always floating around the newsroom, popping into say hello, or wanting to chat it up.
“He likes blondes.”
“Shut up.” I smack him on the shoulder.
“No, he really does. You’re young… presumably single?” He backs away, posing it as a question.
I nod my head. “Yeah, recently single. Not looking; especially not looking at my boss.” I shake my head.
“Well, in my expert opinion, he’s looking at you. So just keep it professional, would be my advice.” I like Mike. I like that he’s looking out for me and concerned with appearances. “So, your recent break-up; tell me about it.”
I swallow tightly against my dry throat, thinking of Matt. I loved nothing more than seeing him off to work in the mornings. He’d wake up early and make coffee, then join me back in bed while it was brewing. I loved when he’d wrap himself around me, his warm skin pressed against mine. Mornings were our time together. With my crazy schedule, evenings were difficult to plan around. Matt made sure every morning that I was thoroughly taken care of in every possible way. A smile tugs at the corners of my mouth when I think of our morning routine.