Why Do You Love Me ── MATTHEW GRAY GUBLER

ix. parent-teacher conferences

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REINA'S POV

I've been glaring at my boss for what feels like hours, waiting for him to quit his rambling and finally dismiss us. We're having that monthly meeting where nobody cares about anything being said but pretends they do for the sake of preserving this desperate old man's feelings. Don't get me wrong, I'm included in that bunch. I want a pay raise just as much as any of these other people do. But, for all days for him to plan this meeting for, it had to be today.

Liana's parent-teacher conference was today. I scurried out during my lunch break to pick her up from her half-day, leaving her at my house with food and a promise of going out for dinner. She reassured me that she'd be fine in my absence, but that wasn't what was causing my discontent when I left her there. It's the fact that I knew I had an unread text from Matthew on my phone, that I justified ignoring by telling myself it's rude to spend the time I was with Liana on my phone.

Much to my dismay, my car read the text aloud to me as soon as the car was turned back on. He was informing me that he'd be at my office at four o'clock so we'd drive together. He didn't ask, he told me, which only further pissed me off. But, I decided not to fight with him. Yet. I'm sure we'd have plenty of opportunities to fight throughout our performance as a couple.

Now, here I am, at 4:13, listening to my boss drone on and on about business expenses. Realistically, he could just send out these reports so everyone could read it on their own time. But I secretly think he enjoyed watching his workers squirm in their seats as they watched the clock go past clocking out time without them being able to leave.

He had barely finished his farewell when everyone was getting out of their seats, crowding into the hallway in a rush to collect their belongings and leave for the weekend. "Hey, Rein." I turn at the voice, seeing my assistant, Natasha, was walking in unison with me. "Me and a bunch of the girls are going out for drinks. You coming?"

I can't help but pout. A night out with a bunch of reckless girls is exactly what I need right now. "I can't," I sigh, genuinely feeling dejected at my need to reject. "I have to go to Liana's parent-teacher conference today for my mom."

Despite my rejection, Natasha smiles. "You're gonna be a great mom, one day," she says softly. Then her eyes widen, a blush dusting over her cheeks like she hadn't meant to say the comment aloud. "I mean—"

I shake my head. "Don't worry about it. Have fun tonight." I nudge her gently with my elbow, before slipping into my office to collect my belongings. As expected, my phone has numerous texts on it, all from the same man. I send back a quick text saying I'm on my way down, before dropping my phone into my bag and leaving the office in a rush.

As I squish into the elevator with my coworkers, I'm pressed against Amelia from the marketing department. She gives a small smile upon catching my eye, which I return instantly before my eyes trail down to her hand that rests protectively on her swollen stomach. I remember when she first told us she was pregnant; I was the first to offer up my office if she needed privacy for when the time came that she needed to pump. An offer that still stands, and I hope she takes me up on in a few months when her son is born.