Page 134 of Face Off With Fate

How are you feeling

Trouble: 9:48 AM

Better.

Me: 9:49 AM

You comin over?

Trouble: 9:51 AM

Media day is Monday. There’s a lot to prep. Talking points, the press pool order. I want to get ahead

Me: 9:53 AM

That can wait a few hours.

Trouble: 9:55 AM

It really can’t. You pay me to be prepared.

Me: 9:57 AM

I’m not texting you in a professional manner right now…

Trouble: 10:01 AM

I know. But this is what I need to focus on right now. Okay? Let me do my job.

Me: 10:04 AM

Okay.

Me: 10:05 AM

For the record. I would have taken you home last night. Didn’t matter what night it was.

Trouble: 10:09 AM

I know you would have.

Trouble: 10:09 AM

That’s why I didn’t ask.

FORTY-FIVE

GRACIELLA

THIS WAS ALWAYS HER. SHE WAS ALWAYS THE TYPE OF WOMAN TO LOVE LARGE AND BEAR THE BURDEN.

The apartment had never felt so loud in its silence.

I sat on the floor with my back against the wall, knees pulled to my chest, staring at the stack of bags by the door. A suitcase, two totes, and a cardboard box sealed with packing tape that Ariella was going to ship to me. Pile was just as fucking sad looking leaving San Jose as it had been getting here.

At least when I’d gotten here, my heart was intact. But my relationship with Monroe had been a face-off with Fate, and Fate kicked my ass.

I pressed the heel of my hand against my sternum and breathed through my nose.