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I wipe my lips, then clasp my hands together. “I can’t because all of this is my fault. This time the blame sits squarely on my unfeeling and confused shoulders. I don’t trust easily.”
“No shit.”
“Neither does Soph.”
“Again. No shit.” He tucks his hair behind his ear. “I haven’t known her long, but I am irrevocably in love with her.”
My heart flutters for them, then thuds for me. I don’t think he’ll help me, but I’m going to try. Even if Hayden never talks to me again I at least need to apologize. I have to tell him how I fucked up our forever and I’d like it back.
“Dax, where is he? I went to see Claire and Robbie.”
“I know.” Then he shakes his head and arranges the papers into the portfolio and zips it. He gestures with his chin towards the boards. “You can keep those.”
I laugh and a sob comes out.
“No. Please don’t.” His face softens.
“Please tell me where he is. I have to make this right, this isn’t me. I have to fix this with him and for me.” My heart and body ache.
He gets up, then pulls me to standing.
“You’ve never met the real me. Please help me.” I extend my hand. “I’m Lizzie. Nice to meet you.”
He grins. “Go back to the beginning.”
My tears stop as I hit a wall of confusion.
“Huh?”
“It’s all I can say. And if he knew I betrayed him like this, he’d kill me.”
“You betrayed him with a cryptic riddle that I’m going to need the guy from The Da Vinci Code to help figure it out. We’re going to need that twisty code thing or his sidekick volleyball to help.”
“Cryptex. And those are two different movies.” I shrug as he heads to the door and turns back to say goodbye.
“Tell Tony I said hi.”
“I will.”
I push my luck. “And tell Hayden I’m sorry and I’m hopelessly in love with him.”
“I won’t.”
“You’re a fucker, aren’t you?”
“Yup.”
He’s almost out the door and I have a couple more questions.
“Hey, Dax.” He nods. “What was the ultimate prank?”
He shuffles his feet and then turns back to me. “He resigned before the pitch; he wanted you to get the job.” And chucunk, my gears grind to a halt.
“Was that my surprise?” I can barely get the words out.
He scribbles on the back of one of Danny’s pictures of me. I mean Hayden.
“Go here. There’s something you’ll need.”
