Three Broken Promises (One Week Girlfriend #3)(15)
Author: Monica Murphy

They scramble like cockroaches when a light’s flicked on—even Jen, who shoots me a worried look as she hurries past, headed straight into the dining area. Fable’s the only one left, standing her ground, looking every inch the fierce little warrior she is.

“Don’t you have something to do?” I ask, sounding like a complete dick and not really caring. I’m grumpy as shit. I’ve been grumpy since Jen dropped her “I’m leaving” bomb on me.

Fable waves her hand at me, the lights from above catching on her engagement ring, making the diamond twinkle brightly. “Clearly I must, since no one else is doing anything about it.”

Before I can say a word she’s rushing me, her expression tight as she shoves my shoulder so hard, I take a step backward. “What the hell was that for?” I ask as I rub my shoulder, more than a little pissed.

More than anything, I’m stunned that she would do such a thing. Touch me like that. Looking at me like she wants to kick my ass into the next planet.

“For being such a stupid idiot who won’t do anything to stop the girl you care about from walking out of your life forever.” Her green eyes blaze fury at me and I take another step back, downright scared of the ferocity I see written all over her expressive face.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Wincing, I jump out of her way when she tries to hit me again.

“You’re lucky I missed. You’re being a complete ass**le.” She rests her fisted hands on her hips, positively fuming. “I don’t care if you are my boss, we’re also friends, right?”

“Yeah, but at the moment, I’m officially your boss, considering you’re on the clock and all.” The minute the words fly, I know it was the wrong thing to say.

Her lips tighten so much they almost completely disappear. “Hey look, there you go being an ass**le again.”

Grabbing her arm, I silently lead her outside, to the alley behind the restaurant where all the employees hang out during their breaks. Some of them eat, some of them smoke, and all of them gossip. Luckily enough, it’s just Fable and me out here. I couldn’t take her berating me where anyone could see and hear us. As if I’d let her.

If I wanted to be a complete jackass, I could fire her on the spot. At the very least, write her up and suspend her for a few days. She’d deserve it for the set-down she’s giving me. Talk about insubordination!

But I know I deserve whatever she’s going to say, so I’m going to take it. It’s gonna be ugly, but maybe she can knock some sense into my head. Lord knows I need it.

“If you want to yell at me, do it out here,” I tell her once the door is firmly shut behind us. I can hear the music coming from inside the bar, hear the noise level start to swell as the restaurant slowly fills with customers. Like a switch, we go from empty to full, just like that.

“Want me to be brutally honest?”

Jesus, if she wasn’t being brutally honest just now, what do I have to look forward to? “Please, be my guest,” I say wryly, readying myself for the blow.

“She’s in love with you.”

Fuck. I hadn’t expected that. I flinch, as if Fable’s words physically hit me.

“Don’t say a word, because you’re just going to ruin it. Or make me madder. I warn Drew not to say anything when I talk to him like this because he always, always makes it worse. Men.” Fable shakes her head but she doesn’t look that angry. She loves Drew Callahan more than life itself. Lucky f**ker. “Don’t you see the way she looks at you? She keeps your every secret, deflects it when everyone, and I do mean everyone, flat-out says to her face that she’s f**king the boss. She defends you always.”

I say nothing, because what is there to say?

Fable’s on such a roll, I wouldn’t be able to get a word in anyway. “I don’t understand what’s going on between you two, so who am I to judge? But I’m not sure if she understands it either. All I know is she believes you don’t feel the same way she does. And that’s why she’s leaving. She can’t take it anymore.”

“Can’t take what anymore?” I finally ask, my voice cracking. I almost sound like I’m ready to break down and cry.

“Jen can’t take being in love with you when you don’t feel the same.” She peers at me with those all-seeing eyes. I don’t know how Drew can stand it sometimes. Her unconditional love knows no bounds for him but Fable’s gaze is damn near penetrating and I want to squirm where I stand, like a little kid caught doing something bad. “So. Do you feel the same? Or are you just stringing her along?”

“I—”

“If you say ‘I don’t know,’ I swear to God, I will knee you in the balls.”

Swallowing hard, I realize my voice has up and disappeared. I don’t doubt Fable’s threat for a second. My balls are shriveling up in fear at this very moment, for the love of God.

“I know I’m crossing the boss-employee line but you need to hear this, Colin. And I think you get that, too. That’s why you’re not saying a word. Why you’re not getting pissed at me for being such a rude little bitch and calling you out on your shit.” Fable steps closer, scaring the hell out of me, but I stand my ground, bracing myself for the next round of physical blows.

But she delivers it with words instead.

“If you don’t want Jen to leave, then you need to find those balls you’re so afraid I’m going to demolish, man up, and tell her. Don’t let her go. Tell her how you feel.”

Ah, she makes it sound so easy when it’s so . . . not. “She’s already looking for another job,” I protest weakly. “She wants to go apartment hunting this week. Roommate hunting.”

“Excuses.” She waves a hand, dismissing my words. “But hey, if you’re willing to let her go that easily, then by all means, go for it. Encourage her, then. Help her out—make it easier for her and get her out of your life once and for all.” Fable rolls her eyes and laughs, though there’s no humor behind it. “Don’t you ever wonder why you can’t let her go? Don’t you realize how you eventually chase after her no matter what she does or where she goes? Always trying to snare her into your net? If you want to give her all that freedom she’s so desperate to find, escort her right the hell on out of here.”

Before I can finally come up with something to say to defend myself she walks away from me, opening the door and slamming it behind her with such force, the sound rattles both the building and my bones.