AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But I clamp my teeth together instead of talking.
Like a puppet master, Garrett claps my shoulder. “Max isn’t the easiest to work with. But he’s worth it. So worth it,” he says, all smiley and shit.
“Thanks,” I say dryly. “Appreciate the vote of confidence.”
He squeezes harder. “C’mon, man. You aren’t, but you two pulled this off. Well done.”
“Yes, you two really pulled off a banger,” Clementine says.
Pulled off. Those two words echo ceaselessly in my head. We pulled it off. Like it was a heist? Maybe a con?And now we’re celebrating with the crew. Like we stole the diamonds and we’ve got them all in our pockets and now we’re getting away with it—the remake of Lambert.
The project.
Everly shoots me another one of those cautionary looks. Probably because I’m just a project to her. Probably because she doesn’t want me to ruin her project. Probably because she wants to make sure we can indeed pull off this whole thing.
I drag a hand down my beard as I slump back in my chair, like a fool. How did I miss this?
The same way you missed all the signs that Lyra was involved with someone else. Signs that were right in front of you. Signs you barely paid attention to while you were falling for her.
Because Iwantedto believe in Lyra. I wanted to believe in anus.
Garrett jumps in again, taking over the conversation like it needs saving. “And it looks like you’re well positioned for the promotion,” he says to Everly, then shoots that perfect agent grin of his toward Zaire and Clementine. What the hell is going on? Is he in on it? Was this always about her getting a promotion?
Everly demurs, holding up her hands. “That’s not what tonight is about,” she says, but it soundstoo humble.Too much of a deflection.
Zaire lifts a champagne glass Everly’s way. “I certainly don’t want to offer any promotions over dinner, but I will say we’re pleased with your work,” she says, mostly diplomatic even as she leaves a big, tasty hint.
Everly dips her face, as if she’s trying to hide her smile. Yup, that’s what my girlfriend wants. The promotion. My muscles tense. My heart shrivels.
“And now you can finally move on to other things,” Garrett puts in. “Other projects. Other opportunities. Like, I don’t know, maybe Date Night.”
It’s said oh so casually, like he clearly knows he shouldn’t push, but like he also wants an answer badly.
Zaire offers me a hopeful grin. “I spoke with Webflix today. It looks like it could be a great partnership all around.” She pauses. “If it works out with Date Night. And I know that’s anif.”
“No pressure,” Clementine adds, and they’re all so diplomatic. I should appreciate it. Truly, I should.
But I feel like I’ve stepped into quicksand in the middle of a murky night, so I shift my gaze to Everly, adopting a perfectly curious look. “Is there anything that would hold me back?”
Her eyes widen, and she swallows roughly. “I think it’s entirely your decision,” she says.
Ironic. The other night she didn’t want me to do it, but now it’s my choice.
Because she’ll be moving on.
Because what if that’s all I ever was to her? Work. Just work. The times we spent together never felt like work to me. I never felt like I was doing anything but falling head first into a big, spectacular, move-mountains kind of love. But the last time I fell for someone, my happy, easy, nice-guy life crashed head first and I was left to pick up the wreckage.
I know Everly isn’t cheating. I truly know that, but my nerves are strung tight. My heart hurts. And my hackles are up. I don’t know how to trust a damn thing anymore.
Except…me.
I’m the only one I can trust, and at some point I haveto trust actions, rather than feelings. Deeds rather than words.
Fact is, Everly’s been putting this off time and time again.
She saidlet’s get through this makeover and we’ll figure it out. She saidlet’s not do anything tonight. She saida partnership with Date Night could ruin all the work we’ve done.
What if I leave tomorrow and she gets that promotion, and then I return and she dumps me on my ass?
