The Office Rival: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance

After all, this is only the beginning.

Liz is coming over later to take Masen out for a couple of hours, so I can run some last-minute errands. Since Masen is still fast asleep, I shower quickly and dress in my jeans with a knitted gray sweater. Makeup is mandatory as I have to cover up the bags under my eyes. My hair never cooperates, so I settle for running some product through it and leaving it down. All dressed and ready for the day, I change Masen and feed him, then finish packing his bag.

On cue, the doorbell rings, and a happy Liz is waiting impatiently for her grandson.

“There he is!” She pulls him from my arms as I motion for her to come inside.

Liz is a very attractive woman. I’d peg her for being in her early fifties with her youthful skin yet classic style. She is wearing a long, natural-colored overcoat and black leather gloves.

“Okay, so the stroller’s over there, and his bag has enough milk for the day, spare clothes, and a ton of diapers.”

“Thanks, honey.” She smiles. “We’re going to have fun today. Daddy is going to take you to the zoo.”

“Daddy?” I almost choke at her words.

She stops smiling and moves her attention back to me, looking slightly nervous. “Yes. Haden took the week off work because of the hectic wedding schedule.”

I have two options—I can be the devil and take Masen away from him, or I can ignore the way my heart just fell to the floor when Liz mentioned the wedding and act okay with it.

“I better get going,” I mumble, kissing Masen on the top of his head.

“Presley.” She stops me, clutching my arm.

I reluctantly turn to face her, struggling to keep my emotions steady.

“Let fate run its course. In the end, it will all work out.”

Fate? Fate hasn’t stopped screwing with me since the moment I told Jason we needed to end things. I can’t rely on fate. I can’t rely on anything. Call me a pessimist, a cynic, whatever the hell you want. If I want something to happen, I need to do something about it. Right now, I just want to get out of here. I don’t want to think about the Jerk and his stupid wedding.

As soon as Liz is gone, I muster up every part of me not to shed one more tear. He has made his decision, and I have made mine. Grabbing my purse, I head out, forcing myself to enjoy my child-free day.

“I’ll have the grilled salmon, baked potatoes with ranch dressing, and a salad on the side. You know what, throw in some nachos while you’re at it.”

I stare at my friend, amused. “Throw in some nachos while you’re at it? Please don’t tell me you’re pregnant, Vicky.”

She rolls her eyes at me while shoving a breadstick into her mouth. “No. You’d be proud of me. I haven’t touched Patrick whatsoever.”

“Wow. I am proud of you.”

“I’m happy to accept his lavish gifts while he pines so desperately for my kitty.”

“New wallet?”

“Yep.” Her mouth widens into a smile. “Chanel. Isn’t it a beauty?”

“Yes. But you realize he wants sex, and you need sex?”

“Don’t worry about me. I bought this super-duper vibrator with all the bells and whistles. I’ve gone through a whole pack of batteries… in a week!”

Vicky spends the next ten minutes reciting the stats of the vibrator. She wasn’t kidding when she said it had all the bells and whistles. It has five-star reviews, and we have a good laugh reading what other women had to say about it.

“At the rate I’m going, I may need to buy one, too.”

I take a sip of water as the waiter places the nachos in front of us. My weakness, and today, I ignore my attempt to get back in shape. I eat like it’s my last meal on earth. The gym can wait. Again.

“I saw the Jerk yesterday. He came into the office in the morning to grab his laptop.”

“That’s nice,” I say without any emotion.