Part 13 (2/2)
”Almost done with this. How about you?”
”I was able to book two more meetings with retailers next week.”
”Wow, you're on fire.” I raised my eyebrows, genuinely impressed.
She smiled broadly, and then her expression became more serious. ”Have you been following the news?”
I stayed focused on my screen. ”No, what's new?” I couldn't help but ask.
”They said he shot himself. His blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.”
I closed my eyes, fighting the vision of what that scene must have looked like. Of all the ways to attempt to end his life, he chose the one he was guaranteed not to survive.
”Funeral services will be on Sunday. Do you think you'll go?”
”Risa, I told you I barely knew him,” I snapped. b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l. I really wished she would mind her own G.o.dd.a.m.n business. I wanted nothing more than to be alone with my thoughts, and she was in the front row trying to read them.
”Okay, sorry. I thought you'd want to know.”
”Now I know, thanks.” I started typing up the last of the terms into my open doc.u.ment, hoping she'd take the hint that I was busy.
She did and left wordlessly. I relaxed again, immediately regretting that I'd been so rude. My head was so messed up, and the one person I really needed wasn't remotely close.
I waited until after five when everyone had left to call Blake. I heard him talking to someone when he picked up.
”Blake.”
”Hey.”
”Mark is dead,” I said, my brain working hard to believe the words. I still couldn't believe it.
There was silence on the line as I waited for him to respond, to ask me how and when. Surely he'd have as many questions as I did. If anyone hated Mark as much as I did, it was Blake.
”I know.”
”What do you mean?”
”I saw it in my news feed. I'm sorry, I wanted to call but I've been tied up in meetings all morning. Hang on a second.”
”Okay.” My voice was quiet, my throat tight with emotion. I wanted to be angry with him for not calling, but all I could think about was how much I missed him. The noise was m.u.f.fled on the other end, and then the voices in the background disappeared.
”Are you okay?” His voice was softer.
I drummed my fingers on the desk, wondering how to put into words how completely not okay I was. ”When are you coming home?”
He sighed on the other end. I winced. I was becoming the emotionally dependent girlfriend that he probably really didn't need. Not to mention the kind I never thought I'd turn into.
”Sorry, just do what you need to do there, Blake. Don't worry about me, okay? I'm fine.” I bit back the tears that threatened, trying to sound as unaffected as possible.
”I'm coming back as soon as I can.”
”I'm fine,” I repeated, willing both of us to believe it as I wiped away the tear that fell down my cheek. ”I'm just kind of a mess right now, but I'll be fine.”
I heard the voices in the background again and he muttered a curse under his breath. ”I'll call you tonight, okay?”
”Sure.”
I hung up and let my head fall into my hands. Why did I need Blake to put me back together? What had changed in these past weeks that I needed him like I needed my last breath? I couldn't make sense of it, or of the insane thoughts I was having about hopping on the next red-eye to San Francisco to see him.
”You look like you need a drink.”
James was standing by my desk. He looked great as usual in a black graphic T-s.h.i.+rt and dark blue jeans, but the worried look on his face was what caught my attention. I wiped my eyes quickly, suddenly worried about the state of my mascara after a day like today.
”I thought everyone was gone.”
”I had to wrap something up here. I figured we could catch up.”
I straightened and silently hoped that he hadn't heard my exchange with Blake.
”Maybe later. I should head home.” I piled up the papers that had acc.u.mulated on my desk over the course of the day.
”On a Friday night? I thought you'd be celebrating the new account.”
”Well it's not final yet. Plus I still have work to do. I need to figure out the direction for the ad campaign we're planning.”
”How about you toss some of that work my way and let me take you out for a drink. I'll come in tomorrow if I have to.”
I shook my head. ”I don't expect you to do that.”
”I want to. Come on, there's a cool dive bar down the street. Unless you're more into those fancy martini bars?”
I lifted my lips. He had one thing right for sure. I could use a drink. Having someone to talk to, even if it wasn't about my solidly heinous day, was pretty appealing too.
”Fine. One drink.”
James delivered on his promise for a quintessential dive bar. Dark and spa.r.s.e on decor, the place attracted a local crowd. Most were casually dressed, so I stood out with my suit. Maybe a martini bar would have been better based on the double takes I was getting.
We found two seats at the crowded bar and each ordered a drink. I tried to ignore the news scrolling on the one television mounted on the wall.
”Are there any new developments?”
I panicked slightly. ”What do you mean?”
”With the Cooper kid?”
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