Wasn’t it because Tracy and Jared worked so seamlessly together that she was able to move his heart?


    What if, one day, Nathan met a woman who could help him in his career? Would his heart stray from me too?


    People’s hearts are impossible to read, just like you can’t stare straight at the sun. That’s an unbreakable truth.


    “Maybe you’re right about that,” I said with a faint smile.


    Ryan was stunned for a second, then swept me into his arms, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Deal. When you and Nathan break up, I’ll be the one chasing after you.”


    I didn’t promise him anything. I just imed I was busy with work and slipped out in a hurry.


    As soon as I got back to the office, my assistant rushed over. “Ms. Murphy, you’re finally back! There’s a handsome guy waiting for you.”


    I walked into my office and saw Nathan sitting on the couch in a crisp white shirt, flipping through one of the magazines from my


    desk.


    When he saw me, he stood up immediately. “Victoria, have you eaten yet?”


    I looked at him, surprised. “What are you doing here? You didn’t even tell me you wereing.”


    Nathan shrugged. “I had a project meeting nearby, so I thought I’d stop by. You’ve been really busytely, haven’t you?”


    I nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got a ton on my te.”


    “So that’s why you always give me the cold shoulder when I text you?” Nathan suddenly looked all hurt and pouty.


    I thought to myself, ‘Still pretending, huh? Why won’t he juste clean about what happened at the airport that night?‘


    “I don’t like mixing personal stuff with work–it messes with my judgment,” I said coolly.


    “I always wait until you’re off work to text you, but <i>you </i>still hardly ever reply,” Nathan said, sounding even more frustrated and hurt. “And you never text or call me first. Are you just not into texting or something?”


    My heart skipped a beat as I thought about it. I really had stopped being the one to reach out first.


    Back when I was with Jared, I was always the one texting him, asking where he was. He was the one who barely bothered to reply.


    “Sorry, I just get so caught up with work that I forget,” I <b>said</b>, but it was a half–hearted excuse.


    Nathan just stared at <b>me</b>, clearly catching on. He looked disappointed.


    “Can we grab dinner tonight?” Nathan asked after a moment of silence.


    There was still a thorn in my heart, and every word Nathan said just made it harder for me to want to keep this going.


    “We’ll see,” I replied, my tone noticeably cold.


    Nathan’s eyes darkened with disappointment. He just said, “Okay,” and walked out.


    09:17 Mon, 25 Aug


    I knocked my forehead with my hand, convinced I was handling this the right way–it was Nathan who needed toe clean.


    85%


    That evening, when I got home from work, Nathan was waiting for me–just like I expected. He had a gift bag in one hand, some fruit, and a bouquet of roses.


    I met his gaze, noticing how rough his voice sounded. Nathan asked, “Mind if Ie in for a bit?”


    Honestly,pared to Jared, Nathan was a lot more considerate in rtionships. At least he never treated women like they belonged to him.


    “Come on in,” I said, moving aside so he could step inside.


    After he set the stuff down, he hesitated for a second, then just came out and asked, “Victoria, did <i>you </i>fall for someone else?”


    I shook my head. “No.”


    (28)


    “Then why have you been ignoring me?” Nathan stepped up to me, and I could see the hurt and sadness in his eyes. “You’ve been so distant these days. I’ve been wondering if I messed up somehow.”


    I gave him a little smile. “It’s not your fault. You just went to pick up some pretty girl at the airport at 3 AM.”


    AD