Need Me (Mess with Me 3)

“Can you tell Ari that I had to go? I just…have to go.”

Ingrid pauses mid-sentence and frowns. “Well, I–”

Without waiting to hear whatever else she’s about to say, I take my coffee and leave. It’s better if I go now before I say anything I can’t take back.

I sit in the back of the cab, ignoring the driver’s attempts at polite conversation. Going to work is the only thing I can focus on right now.

At least I know what I’m doing there.

When I enter the office, Cheryl looks up and smiles. “Morning! I wasn’t expecting to see you today.”

“Change of plans. I need everything on the NBA deal. And the latest updates on the ready-to-wear line.”

She nods, obviously sensing my mood. I go into my office and shut the door. As I sit behind the desk, my hands shake slightly. Being here isn’t as neutral as I thought. Even this office carries so many memories that are all entwined with Ariana.

All the times I pulled that napkin out of my desk to look at it after she ghosted. The exploding dick bomb and all the meetings I daydreamed my way through while thinking about her. There’s no part of my life she hasn’t touched at some point.

A new email pops up. Cheryl has already forwarded the files I need. Introducing a more affordable line of menswear has been my pet project and lately I’ve been neglecting it. At least now I’ll have a chance to catch up. I’m sure Ari won’t miss me being there this morning. She has her mother with her. They’re probably laughing about my quick departure. I groan and resolve to focus. But after reading the newest report from my manager of domestic sales, all I can do is bang my head on the desk.

r /> Cheryl knocks and then opens the door. “Everything okay?”

“Perfect. Except sales teams are having trouble getting placement for the ready-to-wear line because the price is still too high.“

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“I am talking about it,” I grumble.

She harrumphs. “I have three sons. I know brooding when I see it.”

“Everything is falling apart. I feel like I can’t get it right. The new line can’t get traction. My girl…that’s not going to work. Andre will come back from vacation and find his company in the trash.”

Cheryl closes the door behind her.

“Everything isn’t falling apart. This company is thriving. You are the driving force behind so many changes. Who first came up with the idea for Andre to design for Hollywood? You. Who is the one who pushed him to consider a ready-to-wear line? You.”

Her words soothe a sore spot I hadn’t realized was still there. Years ago, I recognized my brother’s skyrocketing fame had stirred up some old feelings of insecurity from my childhood. I’d dealt with it, or so I thought.

But hearing Cheryl point out all the contributions I thought no one had noticed, means I’m not as evolved as I’d hoped. I shouldn’t need outside validation for the things I know I bring to the table.

“I guess that’s true.”

She smiles kindly. “You have such high standards that you perceive success as business as usual and only notice the things that don’t work. I’m willing to bet you do the same thing in your personal life. You need to give yourself a break.”

“Thank you, Cheryl.” Emotion makes my voice gruff.

“Your brother trusts you because you have good sense and his best interest at heart. One of the few people who sees him as a person and not an entity. Maybe you should examine why you don’t trust yourself.”

With that one final gem of wisdom, she opens the door.

“Cheryl?”

She turns back.

“Run away with me. Let’s leave it all behind.”

Her laughter fills the room.

“The only place I’m running is home at exactly five o’clock. My family is visiting with the grandkids and I have a houseful of boys to cook for. My Charlie is a sweetheart but he can’t boil water.”