Chapter 32
Maddy
You know what, sometimes it feels good to take a little power back, and that’s what I’ve reminded myself as I finished the rest of the day, focusing solely on the tasks that I was behind on—and not the fact that Beck fucked Marissa before me.
No wonder she hates me so much.
Beck has been at off-site meetings all day, and I haven’t had a chance yet to talk with him.
I let out a sigh as I shove my laptop into my bag, trying not to conjure up the mental image of the two of them together for the hundredth time. I shudder and then sling my bag over my shoulder, heading for the elevators.
“I got your text,” a voice stops me in my tracks as soon as I press the down button.
“Oh,” I turn to see Beck lingering behind me. He’s got his messenger bag draped across his body, and a look of pure remorse on his face.
“I’m really looking forward to dinner with Riley.”
My throat feels like sandpaper. “Yeah, she is, too.”
He shuffles into the elevator with me. “I wanted to talk to you earlier, but I couldn’t find you and then I had a bunch of meetings.”
“What do you want to say to me, Beck?” I straighten my shoulders as he hits the ground floor button. There’s an edge to my voice that I can’t seem to get rid of. I mean, it’s not like Beck cheated.
I just don’t get what he saw in her.
Ugh. I’m being so jealous and insecure right now.
We stand in silence for a few beats as the elevator descends. I don’t know if Beck is expecting me to start this conversation, but I absolutely will not.
“Maddy…” Beck takes a loud breath, just as the doors open. “I’m sorry about all that. I’m sorry it happened at all. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
I stare at him and then shake my head. “You blindsided me.”
He jogs to keep up with me. “I know. I’m sorry for that. I just didn’t think to tell you. I don’t know how to do this, Maddy. I’m not good at it. Usually, if things get weird, I bail. Or I make it funny, I guess. But with you, I don’t want to. I want to do all of this the right way.”
Something inside me softens. But just a little bit.
He meets my eyes as he holds the door open for me. “What I had with Marissa was… it was nothing. I didn’t really even like her once I got to know her, and it was never even close to love. It was never close to what I feel with you.”
I swallow the feeling of my heart in my throat. “What do you feel with me?”
He rubs his face as we walk toward our apartment complex. “I… I…” He grabs my hand, forcing me to stop along the sidewalk. “I love you, Maddy. That’s what I feel with you. Love.”
I stare at him, searching his face for confirmation that this isn’t just him trying to charm me. “You love me?”
He nods. “Yeah. Fuck, I do.” He chuckles, slipping his fingers through my hair.
“I was so disappointed when you jetted out of the hotel that night. I liked you so much then, and then the second I saw you walk into this office… I knew I wanted you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone else.
I just didn’t know what to do with it, because it’s nothing like I’ve ever felt before.
It’s different. And fucking terrifying.”
“Well…” My voice trails off, wavering with emotion. “I guess that’s a good thing, because I love you, too.”
He grins and then plants a kiss on my lips. “That’s the best thing I think I’ve ever heard.” He wraps his arms around me, and I feel him exhale, his breath tickling my neck before he leans away.
I giggle and then grab his hand, tugging him down the street. “Come on, we have dinner with Riley.”
“I know, I know,” Beck chuckles, picking up his pace to keep up with me, so I’m not dragging him. “Adrian left like an hour ago, saying that he had something to do beforehand, but I think he just wanted to prepare himself for the best friend inquisition.”
I laugh and swing my arm, taking Beck’s with it. “I know you guys will do fine. Riley’s bark is way worse than her bite.” I pause. “Though, I have to admit, she’s way more skeptical about this than she’s ever been about any other past boyfriend.”
“That’s because there are three of us,” Beck points out.
“That’s very true,” I sigh, peering up at him.
He catches my eye and then smiles. “And for the record, Adrian and Caleb signed off on transferring Marissa to the marketing branch across town, but I have a feeling she’ll probably just resign.”
I frown. “Or refuse to transfer.”
He shakes his head. “Nah, I don’t think that’ll happen at all. She’s angry at me, and honestly, I get it. I should’ve never let it go anywhere. That’s on me, but what’s going on now? That’s just me finding my person, and I’m not going to be ashamed of that.”
My heart stutters in my chest at his words. “I had no idea you were such a secret hopeless romantic.”
He eyes me, just as we reach the apartment complex. He bops me playfully on the nose, “I’m full of surprises.”
I tip my head back and laugh. “Yes, yes, you are.”
We make our way to the elevators, his hand still in mine. The doors open, and we step inside.
“I need to run back to my apartment, and then I’ll head straight to yours,” Beck says, automatically punching both of our floor numbers.
“Okay,” I say softly. “That sounds good.”
As soon as the elevator reaches my floor, he leans in and plants a kiss on my lips, lingering there for a few beats before pulling away.
“I’ll see you in a few.” He shoots me a wink as I step out, and the doors shut once more. “Love you, Maddy Girl.”
“Love you,” I call out, a smile tugging at my lips.
Two of my three bosses have now admitted to loving me, and I can’t help but wonder if Adrian is on the same level…
And if he is, if he’d ever actually admit it.
“Thoughts?” Riley gestures to the spread in our kitchen, complete with homemade fettuccini alfredo, garlic bread, Caesar salad, and our finest china all laid out on the table.
I didn’t even know we had china.
“I think this is totally overkill.” I let out a sigh, shoving my hands into the front of my hoodie pocket. While she did all this, I showered and dressed like a bum. “I had no idea we were going this high-end. I should probably go change.”
She pokes my shoulder. “You should stay exactly as you are, because I’m not changing either.”
I take in her paint-stained white T-shirt and light-wash jeans. “Deal. We shall be the best shabby-looking women in all of New York.”
“That makes no sense,” she giggles, tipping her head back to laugh.
“I know,” I groan, running a hand over my face. My body feels a mixture of surrealness and just pure anxiety about the guys coming for dinner—and what Riley will think of all of them together.
Before I can voice it, the doorbell rings.
Here we go.
Riley prances to the front door, and swings it inward, met with the faces of Adrian, Beck, and Caleb. All at once.
She pulls back and gives the three men a once-over, like she’s grading their boyfriend potential. Then she winks at me. “Well, you definitely didn’t exaggerate about how hot they all are. I mean, I already knew Beck was hot, but geez, Maddy…”
My face grows bright red as the men chuckle and then make their way inside. They’re all dressed fairly casually, but like…snappy casual, making Riley and I look like a couple of bums.
“I brought wine,” Adrian holds up a bottle, his broad shoulders straining the material of his black long-sleeve shirt.
“Amazing,” Riley claps her hands together. “Follow me.”
Adrian does as he’s told, planting a kiss on the top of my head on the way. He uncorks the wine while Riley gathers glasses. He fills them with ease, not a single nerve apparent. Beck heads for the table, and Caleb follows him.
We crowd around the dining table, all of us eyeing each other as we take a seat with our fancy wine and homemade dinner. I’m seated between Beck and Riley, with Adrian at the head and Caleb adjacent to him.
“Well, let’s eat, shall we?” I break the comfortable silence in my natural, awkward way.
“Absolutely,” Beck agrees, echoing me with a grin on his face.
I catch Riley watching the three of them—how they pass food, how they communicate without really saying anything. I already know she’s studying the undercurrent, seeing if the weirdness she expected is there.
And as soon as the plates are filled and everyone starts eating, Riley leans back and raises her glass.
Oh boy.
“I would like the opportunity to ask questions now,” she announces, taking a sip of her wine. “I love my best friend, and I am not scared to go to prison for life on her behalf.”
Caleb nearly chokes on a bite of pasta. “That’s a little aggressive.”
“I can appreciate that,” Adrian chimes, a grin on his face. “I have to admit, I would go to prison for life on behalf of Maddy as well.”
Beck chuckles, shaking his head as he stabs his salad. “I knew this was going to be fun,” he mutters, just loud enough for me to hear it.
Riley keeps going, undeterred. “I need to know everyone’s intentions with her, and how you intend to handle outsiders questioning this…dynamic.” She sets her wine glass down and folds her arms across her chest. “You can go first.” Riley nods to Adrian. “You seem like you’re the leader.”
Geez, I forgot how well she reads people.
Adrian clears his throat, setting down his fork. “Well, first of all, we will happily rid the office of anyone who disagrees with how we choose to live our personal lives. It’s none of their business, and the moment they make it their business, they need to go.”
“Intense, but honorable.”
“I prefer to protect the woman I love, if at all possible,” he continues, shrugging his shoulders.
Riley beats me to it. “So you love her?”
Adrian’s eyes flick to mine across the table, softening as they linger. “I do love her, and I think the way the three of us love her balances everything out.” He glances to Beck and Caleb. “They make up for what I lack, and vice versa.”
Riley purses her lips, tapping her index finger against the table. “Well…” Her voice trails off as she looks at me. “Are you happy?”
I break into a grin. “You know I’m happy.”
“And do you love all three?” Riley presses, though her lip twitches upward into a smile. “I can still call security and kick them all out now.”
Letting out a sigh, I push some of my hair behind my ear. “I absolutely do, and I know this is exactly what I want.”
She gives me an approving nod. “Then you have my blessing.” She eyes the men around the table. “All of you. But don’t forget. As I said before, I’m not scared of prison.”
“Noted,” Beck chuckles, and the entire table breaks out in laughter.
As the laughter dies down, Riley continues with her questions and now is in the spotlight.
I smile to myself.
This is perfect. Absolutely perfect.