Want Me (Mess with Me 4)

Curious now, I arch an eyebrow. There’s no way that’s all she overheard.

“I’m not telling you anything,” she mutters.

Chuckling, I slip my leather jacket off and toss it over the back of the couch. After sitting back down, I stretch my legs and wait. She may not want to tell me but her conscience will win in the end. No matter what is happening between us personally, Anya would never withhold information that could help me in business. It’s just not who she is.

Finally she sighs. “Mya thought that was why Elizabeth was calling you. That she was trying to rub it in your face or whatever.”

“Great. So it was Sunfire that got the account then?”

“Yes. Sorry.”

The pity in her eyes makes me feel like I’m on fire. That’s not what I want no matter what happens. Is it ridiculous and humiliating that my ex-wife keeps stealing accounts from right under my nose? Of course. But I don’t need anyone’s pity.

What I need is strategy.

“I’ve been thinking we could target some of their competitors. Maybe I’ll put a team together just to work on outreach campaigns to potential clients. If we show them examples of the kind of advertising we could create on their behalf, it might bring in some new business. What do you think?”

Anya’s still hovering by the front door. “Sounds good. Maybe we can talk about it at the office on Monday.”

“Trying to kick me out already?”

Her glare shouldn’t be as amusing as it is. She’s adorable when she’s mad. It hits me in that moment just how much I’ve missed this. Not that I don’t have other friends. Ethan has been my rock on many occasions and we’re bonded over our mutual hatred of our fathers.

However, the relationship I have with Anya is unlike any other in my life. There are things I would never say to Ethan, not because he isn’t trustworthy but just because it would be too weird. Even between friends there are lines you don’t cross. Things you don’t say.

With Anya every line is blurred and I’m as comfortable with her as I am with myself. There’s nothing I can’t say. A little stunned by that insight, I rub my suddenly damp hands on my jeans.

“I don’t want to leave,” I finally admit.

Her eyes soften a bit before she looks away. When she speaks again, her voice isn’t quite as sure. “We shouldn’t be spending time together outside of work.”

“This is work.”

“How is this work?” she asks with a soft chuckle.

“Your contract says other duties as assigned.” My reasoning might be thin but I’m willing to stretch that far.

“Hanging out with you is an other duty?”

“No, but business planning is. We’ve lost some accounts over the past year and we need to replace that revenue. I have to decide what accounts we should compete for.”

Apparently Anya gives up on getting rid of me because she plops down on the couch instead. She unwraps the breakfast burrito and takes a huge bite. Her hum of pleasure makes me smile.

“Don’t look so smug. I’m just a sucker for a good burrito.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

We sit in silence for a bit as she enjoys her food.

“You know, it’s none of my business…” She pauses and glances over at me. Something about the hesitant look on her face makes me nervous.

“Just say it. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t really want your opinion.”

“You aren’t the only person who can make these decisions. Why can’t you delegate some of this? You have an amazing team. Mya can read people like a book. Milo could sell ice to a polar bear and Kevin slides right in there as the goofy, friendly guy and by the time people figure out he’s directing them it’s too late. You have to trust the people around you at some point. Otherwise, why are they there?”

She takes the last bite of her burrito and then crushes up the foil. Meanwhile, my mind turns her words over.

Am I that bad at asking for help?