Nemesis(32)

He’s standing with Jason, so I know he can’t say anything to me.

“Good morning,” I greet them, though only looking at Jason.

“Morning, Jacinta,” he says, nodding towards me. “Did you bring me coffee?”

“Nope.”

He grins and heads to his office, while Cohen lingers.

“Jacinta—”

“Anything I can help you with, Mr. Lake?” I ask, my voice cold.

“Fucking hell,” he mutters, taking a deep breath and looking down at his hands. “Everything you heard, it’s true. Or, at least, it was true. With you though, it was different. I didn’t message any other women, didn’t see any other women. All I saw was you, Jacinta.”

I hand him a piece of paper. “Here is your schedule for the day. I’ll send your first client in when they arrive.”

He looks directly at me, pain etched all over his handsome face. “Don’t do this, Jacinta. We need to talk, properly.”

“I’ve heard enough,” I say quietly, needing to protect myself. I let this go too far, let my desire for Cohen override my better judgement, my common sense. Look at the type of man he is, the things he does, the way he lives. There’s no place for me in his life, in that life. I don’t want to always be wondering where he is, who he’s with, knowing that he’s used to having the affections of more than one woman.

I’ll always be wondering if I’m enough, and I shouldn’t have to do that. I am enough, more than enough, and the right man will make me feel it.

I am Jacinta Warren. I am far from perfect, but I know what I deserve, and that’s not being lied to, or being made to look like a fool.

The elevators open and Cohen’s client walks in. With no other choice, he leaves the topic alone and escorts the gentleman into his office. He glances at me before he closes the door, his eyes pleading to hear him out, to understand.

I look away first.

When lunchtime rolls around, I leave the office first, heading to my usual lunch spot. I sit alone, like I always would. I order the same thing. I mentally prepare myself that this is now my life again.

But at least I have my peace of mind.

I hate that I miss him, I really do, and it’s only been a few days. But I focus on the type of man he is. I don’t believe in men changing, at least not for the better. How cynical does that sound? But I’ve found it to be true.

I’d hoped I’d be his exception, but I never truly knew what I was up against. I thought he’d just had trust issues from what happened with his ex-girlfriend, not that he’d built his walls up so high that he’d constructed his own dating rules to ensure he didn’t get hurt again. Men must worship Cohen—multiple women, money and good looks. The man has everything. It’s kind of impressive, when you think about it. How does he talk these women into agreeing? I don’t like to share but, then again, who am I to talk? I blindly entered this agreement with him because I liked him so much, because he seemed to like me so much. Was I secretly hoping that he’d change his mind? That he’d want me to be his girlfriend? That he’d make a leap to commit to another woman again?

Yes, yes, I was.

I’m an idiot.

*****

“Mr. Lake, here is the folder you requested,” I say, speaking very formally. I slide the folder onto his desk and retreat.

“Can you f*cking stop calling me ‘Mr. Lake’?” he growls, face going a little red.

“No,” I reply simply, then add, “Mr. Lake,” just to annoy him.

He looks like he wants to strangle me.

I blink slowly, watching him calmly. We have a silent conversation. He thinks I’m being ridiculous, I think he’s an *. He reminds me of all the times we spent together, laughing, f*cking and talking. I remind him about the time he lied to me. Yeah, remember that? Jerk.

“You don’t know the full story.”

“I know enough.”

How things can change in just a few days.

Cohen meant everything to me. And now?

Now, he’s my nemesis.



Two Weeks Later

“Say something” by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera plays on my way to work the next morning. I stare down at my red heels in the elevator, then lift my head as the doors open. I’m early, so I know that no one will be here yet. Coffee and a bag of lollies in my hands, I’m ready to handle the day. Cohen is the first to arrive; I’m messaging Sadie when he approaches.

“You are the most stubborn, hard-headed woman I’ve ever met in my life,” I hear him growl in front of me.

“Tell me more,” I deadpan, not bothering to lift my head.

“Oh, now you’re going to let me talk?”

He sounds pissed. Why is he so angry? Maybe the squad needs to up their game, keep him happier.

I lift my head and look at him. Fuck, he’s so handsome. Even angry. “Look, Cohen. I don’t know what you want from me. You can’t seriously expect me to be okay with everything I’ve learned about you.”

“All I asked from you was for you to hear me out, let me explain, but you can’t even give me that. It’s been two weeks, and all I’ve gotten from you is death threats, and I actually prefer those to when you’re ignoring me.”

“I’ve never given you death threats!” I respond, my tone a little defensive.