Michael takes my hand. “Presley, are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?” I ask with a very unconvincing quaver in my voice. I have to be strong for Michael. I can’t break down in front of him.

“What’s going on? What happened with that guy you were seeing? Did my advice help?”

I laugh, a tear escaping my eye and landing with a soft splash on my hand. If only it were that simple. “It’s complicated.”

“You said that. Come on, Presley. Tell me. We’re the only family we’ve got,” Michael pleads, his hand warm against mine.

I finally raise my eyes to his. “My boss is the guy I was seeing.”

I can see the color drain from Michael’s face. Oh God, what have I done?

“Did he hurt you?”

“No, no. Not like that. It was entirely my choice. As soon as I met him, I fell for him. If you knew him, you’d understand. He’s so handsome, and he’s really committed to his work and his family. And the way he speaks, it’s so honest. I got to see it firsthand as his intern. So I fell for him. Hard. And I thought . . . well, I thought he was falling for me too.” The words pour out of me as freely as my tears.

Michael hands me his napkin, and I blow my nose wetly into the scratchy paper.

“If he didn’t fall for you, he’s an idiot. You’re the best person I know,” he says quietly. “You deserve someone who’s gonna treat you right.”

I smile weakly. Why can’t everything be so simple?

drop out, you know. I’ll get a job

school. I didn’t get this job for you to up and quit,” I say firmly,

he says with a laugh. “You

aches.

miss her too. But I’m glad I have you,” he says, every bit the

couldn’t live

going to do about . .

“Dominic.”

“Is

say, smacking my brother lightly on the arm,

ever again . . .” Is that true?

job anywhere. I think you’re staying

like that!

“Wait, the news?”

there’s this scandal that’s

boss is the

out with Dominic

his chair with a huff, like the air

told you it was

issues to work

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255