Gabriel and Gyan were college sweethearts, and they thought they had found the love of their lives. Then Gabriel got an opportunity in Australia, and he left behind a heartbroken Gyan.
It's been more than five years, and Gabriel finds hims...
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"I'm glad you decided to meet up with me," I told Enrique as we sat opposite each other at one of the best smoothie places in Shirley Heights.
His expression was unreadable. "No problem."
I waited for more, but he didn't give it to me. After I refused to be Enrique's boyfriend, things had been awkward. We didn't text or call each other on the phone anymore. At work, he kept his distance, only acknowledging and talking to me when necessary. I knew I hurt him, and I shouldn't have expected anything less, but it was still a jab to my heart.
"Why am I here?" he finally asked.
"I want to make sure we're okay," I said. "We haven't talked much."
"We're okay."
"Are we?"
He rolled his eyes. "What do you want me to say, Gabriel?"
"Be honest." I reached for his hand, but he pulled it back. I deserved that. "Are we okay?" I repeated.
He shook his head. "Not yet, but we will be. We just need some distance. No more kissing and acting like friends. From now on, we're going to have a strictly professional relationship."
"Oh..."
"It never should have started, anyway," he went on. "I'm your boss. It was beyond unprofessional. Don't worry. I'm not going to be one of those jackasses who find a way to fire you just because you rejected me. Your job is safe."
I was glad, but the dissatisfaction persisted. "I'm sorry, Enrique. I wish things ended differently."
"You're going back to Gyan." I shook my head. "Then why did you end us?"
"You deserve better," I said.
"You deserve what you put up with," he said, "nothing more, nothing less. If I choose to be with you, that's what I deserve."
"I won't be able to fully love you," I said. "Not until I move on from Gyan. You shouldn't be second best. You should be number one."
He released a sharp breath. "What's so special about this Gyan guy, anyway?" I didn't respond. "He's attractive. He's rich. What else? Why him?"
I had shared some information about Gyan. Not much, but enough for Enrique to think he was a brat. Then again, Enrique was really good at reading people, and Gyan did always get what he wanted. Then he agreed to marry Anushka before I came back. I guess I was the one thing he couldn't have.
"You don't know, Gyan," I said.
"I don't want to know him," Enrique said. "I could never be friends with a guy like that. Does he stand for anything? Or is he one of those people of color who just live life, oblivious?"
