Page 93 of False Promises

I took a seat opposite my manager, and a smile tugged at my lips when I noticed the cup of tea, bagel, and plant-based egg casserole he’d already ordered for me.

“Hey guys,” I said, rubbing my nape to relieve the last traces of tension from my upper back.

Riley brought his mug to his lips. “How is she?”

I sighed and shook my head. “Okay. I think. Still sleeping. I went for a run. We haven’t talked since last night.”

“How are you holding up?” he asked.

“I’m fine.” I took a bite of my breakfast to avoid talking any longer.

“Is she still leaving later today?” Sam asked.

I nodded. My food tasted like acid now, and I took a sip of tea to wash it down.

“What time is your flight back?” I asked

Sam sipped his coffee as he replied, “Ry booked us a private jet in two hours.”

“Isn’t your own manager or label supposed to book your VIP flight?” I teased. “After all, they’re the ones who sent you here.”

“Well, they are lax about every privilege these days. You would think they would make their biggest client feel special. Nope. On my own. I’m just a meal ticket to them.”

I shook my head. “I know the feeling…”

“One day, you’ll both be under my management, guys,” Riley announced. “It’s written in the stars. And we’ll all travel together. You’re both too great to waste your time with people who don’t appreciate you fully.”

“Told you already, Ry,” Sam added. “Mixing our friendship and business isn’t a good idea. I don’t want things to become awkward if we don’t agree.”

I grinned. “It’s working for us.”

Sam shook his head. “You guys are different. You can separate your professional relationship from your personal one. I have no idea how you can do this. What if shit happens and Ry and I get into a fight? No. Not risking our decade-long friendship for money. Not happening. I prefer watching you two banter like an old couple when you disagree.”

My smile grew larger. “We’re not bantering. Ry knows I’m always right.”

My manager threw a balled napkin at me. “Yeah, I can’t wait to see that day coming. Keep dreaming, man.”

“I’ve missed you guys,” I said, breathing out. “This. Here. Hanging out like this is what I find hard about living in another state.”

Riley’s smile dissolved. “The extraction mission is on. We’ll save your ass.” He tapped his watch. “It better not take too long. My patience is running out.”

I nodded in appreciation.

He locked his eyes on mine for half a second before bringing his attention back to his plate of scrambled eggs.

Sam talked for the next fifteen minutes, taking the conversation away from my disastrous love life. And I was grateful for my friends and their moral support.

“Gimme a call when you’re in town, okay?” Sam pushed his chair back as we all stood.

“I will.”

Riley pulled me into a hug. “You know Dr. Diaz, that therapist you saw after Jeff passed? Perhaps you could give him a call. Once it’s all over. Could do you good to vent it out.”

He tapped my back, and I nodded. “Sure. I’ll let you know.”

My friends waved as they left while I stood there, feeling more homesick than I’d been in months.

The world spun around me. My heart lurched in my throat.