Colleagues

Chapter 24 | Margot

"Brooks, we need to talk."

Looking at Sadie now, in her admittedly stunning red dress and her lips painted to match, I felt my heart clench ever so slightly. She looked confused, and maybe even a little bit scared. I knew my erratic behavior over the last couple of days was partly to blame, but I really couldn't care less.

So far this night had been a horrible ordeal filled with corporate brown-nosing and intermittent digs and insults from my companion. I felt like I was on the verge of breaking down or bursting out in hysterical laughter. Maybe both.

Right now, my hands in fists at my side, I arrived at the conclusion too late that I had nothing prepared to say to Sadie. I had been acting on pure reflex when I pulled her aside.

"What do you want from me?" she asked, she sounded genuinely puzzled. Her light blue eyes seemed to sparkle in the ballroom lights and I felt my heartbeat quicken. I felt my mouth dry up and my throat constrict. For once in my life, I realized I couldn't talk my way out of my predicament. To be fair, I'd definitely brought this on myself.

After a moment of excruciating awkward silence, I saw something in Sadie's expression change. She sighed.

"Is everything okay, Margot?" To my surprise, genuine concern laced her words. "What's going on?" She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous tic I realized I'd grown accustomed to, even fond of. "Margot?"

"Nothing, nothing," I replied quickly. "It's just... I didn't know you'd be coming here with Cody." I cringed internally. I felt like an idiot. I probably sounded like one too.

I watched Sadie's demeanor closely again, an invisible wall evident between us that hadn't existed only a week ago. "Why do you care who I bring to work gatherings?" she demanded. "You especially have no right to judge me."

Her last words felt like a slap in the face. Something about her tone stripped me bare, exposing all of my mistakes and questionable decisions. I looked around, panicked, afraid all the partners and attorneys around us could see them too. But nobody was looking. The polite conversation didn't falter.

"Is that all?" she asked, her eyes watching me expectantly. Put on the spot, I faltered. Despite rapidly racking my brain for things to say, I found it empty of words. I couldn't bullshit myself out of this. The only thing I could do was run away.

"I have to go," I stuttered out, turning around and walking away quickly.

"Margot!" I heard Sadie call from behind me but I just kept walking.

By then, Christian had emerged from the bathroom, scanning the crowd for me. I was abruptly made aware of how much I wanted to sink into a hole and disappear. His eyes lit up when he saw my face in a way that made my toes curl. That wasn't the look of a loving partner, that was the look of a predator finding its prey.

"Margot," he called to me, walking over. "Didn't do anything crazy while I was gone?" he inquired, slipping his clammy hand in mine. I unconsciously searched the room for Sadie, but she must have disappeared into the crowd. Despite my sudden departure, our conversation was far from over and long overdue.

"So, do you want to keep ass-kissing?" Christian asked, disturbing my roaming thoughts.  "Those partners can't stroke those egos themselves."

Christian frowned at my lack of response. He perked up suddenly. "Let me get you a drink." And he was gone.

Sadie's laugh pierced through the crowd. I looked up at the familiar sound, dying to know who or what was making her laugh so hard. I felt a nagging ache in the pit of my stomach. This evening was turning out worse than I expected. If that was even possible.