One more night,and I’ll be reunited with Amelia.
I repeat this thought in my head numerous times while sitting through my torturous meetings today.
Sometimes I consider what would happen if I stepped down. Walked away from it all. No more CEO, just founder and silent partner. I think of the freedoms that it could provide Amelia and me. I clearly have more money that I could ever spend, but it has never been about the money for me.
I know exactly why I’m here, sitting in a conference room on a Friday night. It’s because I need to prove to everyone that I belong here. That I’ve earned this seat at the table. I need to make sure everyone knows that I didn’t cheat my way up to the top.
Because I did.
In reality, I just stay because I’m trying to convince myself. No one here knows my secret and I have no intention of ever telling anyone. Except Amelia.
I dread the thought, but I know that in order for us to move forward, I need her to know exactly who the man she is spending her life with is. I just can’t bring myself to tell her any time soon. Maybe I’ll tell her after the holidays if I can grow massivecojonesby then.
My phone buzzes on my conference table.
I glance down and see a text message from an unsaved number. I grab my phone and open the text from under the table.
Nikki: Hi Evan, this is Nikki. Amelia’s friend. I swiped your number from her phone the other night when we were drinking in case I ever needed it for emergencies.
My blood turns cold. Amelia has an emergency?! Before I can react to what I’ve just read, she texts me again.
Nikki: Amelia is fine!!! Sorry, I just realized that sounded bad. Just wanted to give you a heads up on something!
I sigh deeply. Jesus Christ I’m going to have to have a conversation with Nikki about appropriate text lingo. I reply.
Evan: Hi Nikki. Thanks for saving my number. What’s going on?
She instantly replies back.
Nikki: Oh thank God you answered. So … don’t judge me, but I have a finsta account. You know, “fake Instagram” account that I use to stalk certain people. Anyways, Amelia is out at her company holiday party, so I looked at Christine’s stories.
She’s rambling. No wonder she’s Amelia’s friend. I reply, annoyed that she’s taking me down the rabbit hole with her.
Evan: Christine? I’m in a meeting Nikki, can you get to the point? :)
I added the smiley face so that I don’t get accused of being an asshole to Amelia’s friend.
Nikki: Ahh yes sorry. Super busy rich man haha. Anyways, Christine is the skank who was sleeping withHe Who Shall Not Be Named.She is also her coworker and will be at this party. Ten minutesago she posted a photo of her holding hands with a guy with the caption “date night.” The guy was wearing a watch that I helped Amelia buy a few Christmases ago. It’s him! Skank and Ex-fiancé douchebag are going to the holiday party and are totally going to ambush our poor little Amelia! I was supposed to go with her but I’ve been puking all day due to bad sushi. Sorry if that’s TMI. Anyways, I’ve been trying to call her and give her a heads up, but haven’t been able to reach her. The woman is incapable of letting her phone battery charge above 10%!
Fuck. I can see it now. Amelia face to face with Sebastián. She told me she hasn’t seen him since the breakup, but he’s tried reaching out to her.
A work event isn’t the appropriate time for them to meet. Actually, if I had it my way, he would never lay eyes on her again.
My Amelia.
Without hesitation I text Nikki back.
Evan: Over my dead body. I’m getting our girl out of there. Text me the location.
I stand, and my chair makes a loud noise as it scrapes across the floor. “My apologies everyone, it seems I have a family emergency I need to tend to.” I stand and button my suit jacket. “Hayden, please have the meeting minutes emailed to me once the meeting is over. Text Teddy now and let him know to pull the car around, please.” I nod to my assistant.
I walk out of the conference room, and smirk once I read the last text I received from Nikki.
Nikki: Evan fucking Cooper. Our hero. Give him Hell!
Oh yes, I will.
31
