didn’t want to leave her boyfriend behind.
“I trust your judgment,” Zara said.
Inside the elevator, Skye glanced at Zara. “It’s going to be okay. I promise.”
“I know.” Zara offered her friend a smile, which she knew wouldn’t pass for genuine. “It’s just a lot. A month and a half ago, I had a job, a home I loved, and family nearby.”
Her mother had cried a river of tears when she’d broken the news of her impending departure. The next day, the same crybaby who’d begged her not to move, announced she was moving to Paris in the fall.
“I still can’t believe Ms. Regine,” Skye said with wide eyes. “Moving to Paris? That’s crazy.”
“I know. Shocked the hell out of us.”
The elevator opened and Zara followed Skye down the hall. “Maybe Rissa will decide to leave the West Coast behind and give the South a try.”
Zara giggled. “Yeah, no. She’s not leaving Rick.” Her sister had been in a relationship with Urick Roberts for years, and had no intention of moving anywhere without him. And since he was recently elected to the City Council, there was no chance of him relocating. “Besides, she’s taken fifty million selfies of her surprised look in anticipation of a proposal.”
Skye waved at several people gathered near the patio door. “I can’t believe they’re still together.”
“I can. He’s good people, though. Definitely good for her.”
“Well...” Skye stopped in front of room 150-C and slid the glass door open. “Here we are.”
Stepping into the bright office, Zara gasped. “Oh, my,” she breathed. The space was huge, bigger than any office she’d ever had. “How?”
“Uncle Jax thought you needed space. So I worked it out.”
Zara pointed out the large floor-to-ceiling windows, where she had a view of Downtown Atlanta. “I’m... I... I don’t know what to say.”
She twirled around, trying to take in everything from the desk situated to her right, to the large flat-screen television mounted on the wall to her left, to the brown couch and glass table.
“Sit down, and tell me if you like that chair,” Skye said. “If you don’t, I’ll get you another.”
For the first time since the New Year, Zara smiled. Then she hurried to the chair and plopped down on it, swinging it in full circles, until she felt like she would fall off. Zara next spent a moment opening and closing drawers, testing out the lever that transformed her desk to a standing position. She stood, walked over to the window and peered out. “This is perfect.”
“Glad you love it. There’s a conference room next door. You can use it anytime. Just add your name to the shared calendar. Melvin from IT will walk you through your initial log-in. I have him scheduled to come at three. It shouldn’t take more than half an hour. I’ve also taken the liberty of programming a few important numbers into your phone—mine, Uncle Jax, and X.”
Zara gave her friend a sidelong glance. “How is he?” They hadn’t talked since that nice-turned-awkward moment in December. “I’ve been meaning to call and check on him, but...”
“Oh, girl. You know X. He’ll be fine. He’s just laying low, staying out of the press.”
“The blogs have been brutal.” Zara had been watching the melee online for weeks. She couldn’t help but feel bad for X because he wasn’t that guy anymore. Sure, he’d spent years rebelling against his parents and the public’s perception of the squeaky-clean preppy boy he played on television. The Xavier of today had carved out his own slice of the field, helped many young stars achieve success. He didn’t deserve the negative attention.
“Where is he?” Zara asked, her voice almost a whisper. “I mean does he know I’m here?”
“I...” Skye tilted her head and scrunched up her nose. “Jax wanted to tell him. I’m not sure he has yet, because X didn’t mention it to me.”
“That’s weird.”
“I know, but I just work here.” She winked. “Did they show you the cloud room?”
“Yes. I’m not sure I’ll use it, but it’s a good idea.”
“It is. There are more private spaces to relax. I’ll give you the secret hiding-spots tour tomorrow. Also, if you need any supplies, put together a list and I’ll make sure you’ll get it.”
“You’re not my assistant. You get paid to fix shit, not order staplers.”
“Hey, you’re my girl. I’m here for you.”
“I am so grateful for everything that Jax and you have done for me, from the real estate help to the travel arrangements. I can’t thank you enough for making such an incredibly difficult time better.”
Skye leaned against the desk, a wide grin on her face. “I’m so happy you’re here. I know things are different, but it will be great to have my friend near me.” She set her phone on the desk. “Let me tell you, I wanted to choke Larry when you told me what went down. We thought he was cool.”
Skye attended New York University for graduate school and had spent a lot of time in New Haven with Zara. As a result, she’d gotten to know Larry pretty well over the years.
Zara rested her forehead against the cool desk. “I did, too. To think, I almost gave him some.”
Her friend cracked up. “You didn’t. Not Larry. He’s...” She visibly cringed. “No.”
Nodding, she said, “Yeah. It’s been a long time.”
“Lawd, you need help.”
Sitting up straight, Zara sliced a hand through the air. “Absolutely not, Skye. No hookups.” The last time her friend had set her up, she’d gone out with an agent at Pure Talent L.A. who couldn’t stop texting another woman during dinner. He was attractive and everything, but Zara preferred her men to be available, not pining away for someone else.
“You can’t hold that one time against me. Darin wasn’t the one, but that doesn’t mean I can’t play matchmaker.”
“Neither was Dominic nor Hunter nor Jamaal nor—”
“Okay, okay! Obviously, I don’t have that gift.”
“Anyway, enough talk of potential baes.” Zara leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling. “I have to hit the ground running. I don’t want to let Jax down.”
“You won’t.” Skye squeezed her hand. The loud buzz of the phone against the desk broke the sentimental moment. Skye picked up her phone. “This is Skye.” She met Zara’s gaze. “Okay, she’ll be there.”
“Jax?”
Her friend nodded, stood up, and smoothed a hand down her stomach. “I’ll walk you up.”
Sighing,
