CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Sutton
“I feel like I just got you back and now I’ve lost you again,” Lizzy says through the phone.
“But you’ve lost me for good reasons this time.” I lean back on the lounger and soak up the afternoon sun.
“True. True. But I still miss you nonetheless.”
“It feels good to be missed.”
“Speaking of missing you . . .” she says with some hesitation. “I got a call last night from Clint.”
“Clint?”
“Mm-hmm. You missed a dinner with his boss or something and since you weren’t answering your phone, he called me.”
“I’m sorry.” I scrunch my nose and think of the numerous all-caps messages I received from him last night.
The threats and belittlements and then the apologies and the acting like the first texts were never sent.
What amazes me is how I responded though.
It’s more than clear that Clint is emotionally abusive.
I’m sad I stayed as long as I did. But leaving was the absolute best move I could have made.
Time and distance have allowed me to see this.
To acknowledge this. “I didn’t want to answer him. He never should have called you.”
“I’ll take the calls and the opportunity to let him know what a dick he is any day of the week. You keep on not picking up the phone and having fun there.”
“Thanks. I truly didn’t mean—”
“End of story, Sutt. Don’t apologize. Now . . . on to that man of yours. Tell me all the details.”
“There’s not much to tell.”
“You’re living with him. That means there is a whole lot to tell.”
“There may have been some flirting and some heavy petting—”
“Keep going . . .”
“But I needed to draw the line somewhere. He’s who he is and I’m who I am.”
“Meaning you have the most to lose.”
“Exactly.” I think of my status update meeting with Roz earlier and her palpable excitement over this project. “So I gave him an ultimatum that sounded great but now that the moment has passed, it feels like such an immature thing to do.”
“You were, are, protecting yourself. What was the question?”
“What’s in it for me?” I feel stupid even saying it now.
“Exceptional and long-lasting dick, obviously.”
“Lizzy.” I sigh her name out.
“Well? It’s true.” She laughs. “What else can he say? Money? A raise?”
“I told him those weren’t the answers.”
“You do like him though, right? Because those are the only answers he can give.” She snorts. “It was ridiculous, but I kind of love it.”
“Why?”
“Because it’ll make the man get creative. And if a guy like that, who can have anyone, actually tries to answer you, then you at least know he’s really interested.”
“I guess.” I start to say something and then stop.
“Spill it, Sutt.”
“Do you know how hard it is to work with someone, see their aloofness and authority, knowing what he sounds like when he orders you to spread your legs?” I swear I blush a thousand shades of red.
“Girl, please tell me you sit in meetings and fantasize about him bending you over that desk and having his way with you.”
Wasn’t I doing just that this afternoon? Having a whole, full-blown fantasy while we were reviewing staff numbers and salary efficiency?
“Perhaps,” I finally answer.
Her laugh is the only sound I need to hear. She knows she’s right.