The door swings open, revealing a small room full of tech.
Amber nods, satisfied, before requesting a tour of the kitchen. “The caterer says he came by already, but I’d like to see it for myself.”
“Of course, Ms. Pinton.” He leads us out of the room, down the hall, and back to the main room. “It’s admirable you take charge of all the details.”
Ass-kissing sycophant.
“Troy.” Amber points at the doors to the main room as we go through them. “Will the team I’ve hired be enough to manage security?”
I do some mental calculations, reviewing the info she’s already given me and matching it with the hotel specifications. “It should be fine. If you’re concerned, having two to four extra bodies wouldn’t hurt.”
“Are there weak spots?” she asks.
“Not really.” This isn’t a high security event. Guards are mostly here to elevate the appearance of wealth, and to make sure people don’t get drunk and disorderly. “But guards might need the occasional break. Hiring extra will keep everyone fresh.”
She nods. “I knew I could trust you to think things through.”
“Of course.”
Her smile is bright and cheery as we follow the hotel manager to the kitchen adjacent to the event room. It’s easy to see why I originally fell in love with this woman. She’s gorgeous, capable, charismatic.
Her foot catches on something as we walk, and she stumbles. She lets out a little shriek of fear.
My arm darts forward instinctively. I keep her from falling.
Now I’m almost hugging her. Breathing in her perfume. I immediately set her up straight and take a big step back.
“Clumsy me.” She grins at me in victory. “I can trust you with everything, can’t I?”
No, she really can’t. And I can’t trust her, either.
She touches the manager’s arm to get his attention. “Can you excuse us for a moment?”
“Of course.” The poor idiot bows, like Amber is royalty. “I have some messages to respond to. I’ll be in the room just behind you.”
We step out of his way, and then we’re alone in the wide corridor.
“Troy.” Amber’s light brown eyes shine. “I know we agreed that things are over between us. But...what if they aren’t?”
“I can’t do this again.” I fold my arms across my chest.
“You have to feel the same as I do, though. Tell me it isn’t just me.” She puts her hands on my upper arms. Not quite a hug.
My heart thunders in my chest. Run. Run. Run. But I stay where I am. If I leave, she’ll chase. She’ll get hurt, somehow. It’ll be my fault. It always was and it always will be.
She whispers, “I’ve missed you so much. You left, and you broke my heart.”
If I were stronger, I’d tell her I had to leave. If I had stayed, it would’ve killed me. She would’ve killed me. By the end of our relationship, I didn’t know up from down, good from bad, right from wrong.
“Troy.” Her voice is softer than a mosquito’s whine, but just as grating. She stands on her tiptoes and presses her lips against mine.
I freeze. I should’ve expected this. Planned for it. But I didn’t and now I’m unable to move.
I don’t kiss her back, but I don’t know how to stop her, either.
Danica
When I get back to the apartment after work, I say a quick, subdued hello to Edmund. Then I go straight to my room. The past few days with Edmund have been quiet. Troy left straight after I yelled at him. At first, I was glad. I truly didn’t want to look at the man I’m falling for, and try to reconcile my feelings with the knowledge that he has hurt people. So many people.
