Chapter 2

I came out with my suitcase, and Kirk stared at me.

"Olive, is this really necessary?"

When he saw my reddened eyes, he sighed helplessly.

"It's late. It's not safe. I'll leave."

I moved my suitcase aside before he could touch it.

"No. This is your place."

His hand stopped in midair.

He yanked his tie loose in irritation.

"Olive, where are you going to go?"

"Back to that run-down shared apartment? Or some cheap hotel near the airport?"

He frowned.

"Stop making a scene."

I knew that tone too well.

Dismissive. Certain.

As though my entire world would collapse without him.

When we'd first gotten together, I'd asked him, "Why do you always talk to me like that?"

He'd smiled carelessly.

"Olive, you want me to treat you with respect? Earn it."

For six years, I'd thrown myself into projects, revised proposals endlessly, and routinely stayed up until dawn preparing presentations in hotel lobbies.

All because I wanted to prove to Kirk that I deserved to be treated well.

But Cathy only had to exist, and she got his patience.

If she stammered through a presentation because she was nervous, Kirk patiently let her finish.

If she messed up the numbers, Kirk stepped in and fixed them for her.

Even when she was actually scheduled to work, he'd bend the rules and approve her leave.

Sometimes I wondered whether Cathy had been Kirk's secret girlfriend for six years instead of me.

When I didn't move, Kirk repeated through clenched teeth, "I said you stay. I'll go."

I looked at him calmly.

"And I said we're breaking up."

The guilt vanished from his face, replaced by open disgust.

"Olive, you're being completely unreasonable."

"You're throwing a tantrum because you think I didn't give you special treatment."

"Our relationship is different."

"But let me tell you something. You're capable, sure. But do you really think you'd be where you are now without me looking out for you?"

I repeated softly, "Looking out for me?"

Looking out for me by giving Cathy the vacation days that should've been mine.

Looking out for me by keeping me under him for three years without a promotion.

Looking out for me so well that even my competitors pitied me.

I lifted my head.

"Kirk, I can't afford your kind of special treatment."

"Save it for someone else."

His face darkened.

"Olive."

I tightened my grip on the suitcase handle.

"Don't call me that."

He sneered.

"If you walk out that door tonight, don't regret it."

I looked at him and suddenly found the whole thing ridiculous.

"Kirk, what I regret isn't leaving tonight."

"It's going home with you six years ago."