MATTHIAS
annah, where’s the-?”
“H
“It’s on the desk right in front of you, for god’s sake, open your eyes!” she yells back from
her desk.
“Wow, is that how you speak to your boss?” I say into the intercom, even though we seem to be doing just fine yelling.
“It is when he’s interrupted me for the fifth time”-she comes storming into my office-“in the last hour, asking where something is and the answer is the same every time. Right in front of your face!” She jabs at a stack of papers to the left of me.
Oh, I’m the one who had put it there. “I thought they had an orange folder. Did someone change it? If so, that one wasn’t my fault.”
She glares at me and then takes a breath. “Can I get you something, sir?” her voice uncharacteristically sweet.
“Well, I’d love a cappuccino?”
Her face takes an air of triumph. “Then get it yourself!” She storms out, slamming the door behind her.
Hmmm. Someone’s in a bad mood.
And she’s not the only one.
Clarissa hasn’t been herself in the last few days. I thought it was just all the things going on with the club, but last night she didn’t even want me to come to the club, saying that they couldn’t even spare one seat. They’d added two tables, but were very cognizant of not making things too crowded, not want to cram her customers in. It wasn’t part of the atmosphere she was trying to create.
So, I hadn’t gone, just came to pick her up when she texted to say she was done for the night. She’d fallen asleep and then gone directly to bed without a shower.
We haven’t been intimate in days.
And I miss her.
Not the sex, although sex with her is mind-blowing, but I miss the physical intimacy. Her body against mine, skin touching skin. I can’t even remember the last time she kissed me.
How do you miss someone who’s sleeping in your bed?
I’m going to give her a few more days, and then maybe I’ll just take her away on a short trip. New York City can push and push and push on you, until you either turn into a diamond, or a pile of rubble. And either can happen to anyone, at any time.
I can’t go away until I come back from Damien’s wedding, but I’ll take her somewhere. Maybe upstate to see a few more ranches, or maybe west for some beach time. The sun and saltwater are natural healing agents.
My office door opens and Hannah comes in looking even more irritated. But she’s here, her professionalism is she’s still around, even if she’s threatened to fire me more than I’ve threatened to fire her.
“Your two o’clock is here.” I nod.
It’s the first of a series of meetings I’m having today, with Patrick’s associates and clients he’s in deals with.
And I’m going to dismantle what there is of his business, brick by brick.
***
Me: Lunch?
Clarissa: I can’t, I have a meeting.
Me: I feel like I haven’t seen you in days.
Clarissa: That’s silly, you saw me this morning.
Matthias: You were on the phone and didn’t even wave goodbye to me She doesn’t reply.
I feel like a nagging, lovesick teenager.
Come on, Matthias, you’re better than that. If you want to see her, go see her. When have you ever sat around just waiting for something you want?
“Hannah, I’ll be back at one,” I tell her on my way to the elevators.
It must be a riveting document she’s reading, because she doesn’t even look up. “Don’t come back on my account, by all means.”
“You’re a gem, highlight of my day, Hannah.”
She glances at the yellow highlighter in her hand and throws it at my retreating ass.
I stop by the Vietnamese restaurant that just opened up a block from the club and pick up some pork spring rolls and Vietnamese coffee that I know she loves.
There’s a spring in my step that hasn’t been there since Clarissa has been distant. I’ve never been a passive man, taking what I want has always been my wheelhouse.
The front door of the club is open when I get there. They must be working early to get the club ready for my friend, Tyson with a T tonight. I’m looking forward to it; even if I have to stand behind the bar with James, I’m going to be there.
There’s chatter in the club when I enter, and I follow it into the main room. She’s there. With another man’s hand on hers, giving it an affectionate squeeze.
My ears roar with jealousy. What the fuck. “Well, hello.”
Clarissa’s head snap around at my voice. “Matthias! What are you doing here?” She doesn’t sound shamed, just irritated.
I lift the bag of food. “I was bringing my fiancee some lunch, but apparently I’m also interrupting something.”
She sits back, her hands slipping out of the other guy’s, folding her arms as she narrows her eyes at me. “I told you I had a meeting.”
“So, I see.” I want to slap myself. If I thought I sounded like a lovesick teenager before, now I sound like a jealous husband.
I drop the food on the bar and walk over to the table, Clarissa’s eyes following me.
As I get closer, I realize I know the guy. I can’t remember his name, but he definitely looks familiar.
“Matthias,” I say, extending my hand.
“Hello!” He greets me cheerfully as he takes my hand. “I’m Halifax. We met at Leanne’s a few weeks ago, remember?”
Right. I knew he looked familiar. Was that really only a few weeks ago? A little over a month, I think. Time with Clarissa has felt like just a second and an eternity, both at once. No wonder I don’t know my brain from my asshole.
I give him a friendly smile. “Of course, Halifax, how are you doing, man? It’s good to see you. I’m sorry, I didn’t place you. It’s a little dark in here.” In my soul, maybe.
“It’s okay, we were just-”
“I told you I was busy, why would you come here?” Clarissa interrupts, her face a swirling dark storm.
Halifax clears his throat and leans away from her as I mouth an “I’m sorry” to him before addressing her. “I just came to bring you some food. I know how you forget to eat if I don’t remind you.”