More Than Hate You (More Than Words)

They’re not. “Give Wendy Grisham a chance. She’s really smart, great with numbers. Solid. Logical. She’d be a good choice to replace me.”

“Yeah, okay. I’ll look at her. But can’t you and Sloan can work something out without you giving up your job?”

“Not if she’s ever going to believe that I’ll put her above everything and everyone in my life. That’s especially true of you. No offense, buddy, but this mess started because I followed the directives you gave me.”

“You did.”

“And I kept coming at her like a hard-core competitor, trying to bend Reservoir—and her—to my will, even when I realized how deep my feelings were. I was an asshole.”

A little smile skitters across Evan’s face. “If it’s any consolation, I think most guys go through the asshole phase. I did.”

I remember. “And you had to show Nia that you were one-hundred-percent willing to give up everything for her.”

His grimace tells me he finally understands. “Yeah. Son of a bitch, I’m going to miss you around the office, buddy.”

That chokes me up. I’m not just giving up a lucrative job; I’m giving up working side by side with my best friend of a decade. Sure, I can find another position elsewhere. I ignore headhunters and turn down other opportunities all the time.

Not working with Evan anymore will leave a hole in my professional and personal life. But the last week has proven that doing without Sloan will crush me.

“I know. I’ll miss you, too.”

“But I understand why you need to do this.”

I’m grateful. “I owe you so much. I—”

“You don’t,” Evan insists.

“You’re my best friend, and everything we’ve done professionally, we’ve done together. You believed in me when I was barely more than a snot-nosed undergrad. You trusted me with every cent you had in the world.”

“And I was right to. You’re brilliant. You made all the right moves, and you made me a very rich man. If I’ve never said thank you—”

“You don’t need to. I know. Just like I hope you know I always tried to do the right thing by you, even when I thought I’d fallen for Becca. I was loyal.”

“We’ve talked about this, man. You couldn’t help who you loved, but you always acted with honor and integrity and—”

“I tried to do what was right.” But I sacrificed anything I could have had with Becca for my best friend and my ambitions. I’m not willing to do that with Sloan. “You’re important to me, Evan. I really mean that.”

He frowns. “You’re important to me, too. I’ve never said this…but I’m sorry I expected you to do all my dirty work. It wasn’t right. I let you do it because it was easy.”

“And let’s be honest. I liked it. I just can’t do it anymore. I have to show Sloan that she’s my first priority and always will be.”

“I get it.”

“I hope this doesn’t end our friendship.”

“Nothing will.” He sighs. “Are you leaving Maui?”

“Probably. My future—my wife, if I can win her back—is in Dallas.” Then I grin. “Fair warning: she’s a hell of a competitor. I’ll try to persuade her to go easy on you, but no promises.”

“I never expected any.”

“Take care, buddy.” I stick out my hand.

Evan scowls. “Fuck that.”

Then he brings me in for a hard, back-slapping bro-hug. Damn it, neither of us is emotional by nature, but knowing he’ll always be my friend, even if I am leaving? I’m on the verge of breaking down.

Instead, I drag in a big draft of air and pull back. “Thanks for everything.”