30

Liliana

It was Monday morning, and I had arrived at the office early, eager to get a head start on the presentation for our upcoming Colorado trip.

The weekend had passed without a word from Austin. I was upset enough that I hadn’t reached out to him either. As I saw it, he was in the wrong and should have been the one to apologize.

Maddie stepped into my office, closed the door gently, and asked with concern, "How are you holding up? You seemed pretty upset on Friday."

I sighed, stirring my coffee. "My relationship is falling apart, work is incredibly awkward, and I feel like a horrible person."

Maddie gave me a sympathetic look. "Just take a breath. What happened with Austin? I thought they were about to come to blows."

"So that was you peeking out the window, nose pressed against the glass?" I chuckled at the thought.

"Guilty as charged," she admitted. "What's with those two acting like they're in a duel?"

I hesitated, wondering if I should share about my history with Alistair. But Maddie was one of my closest friends. If anyone would understand, it was her.

So I leaned back in my chair and told her everything.

“Oh my God,” Maddie said, her fists under her cheeks as she took it all in.

“You’d understand why I was already starting to fall for Alistair when Julian appeared right after I’d seen Alistair’s wedding ring.”

I slumped and pressed my forehead against my hand.

“Alistair’s made no bones about wanting to be with me again. And maybe if it was just sex with some guy, you know, just a physical release, a night of fun, I could do it. But I still feel guilty about him being Julian’s brother.”

“Why?” Maddie asked, squinting at me. “You said he cheated on you.”

“I turned down his proposal in front of his family and friends.”

“Very gently, from the sounds of it. You can’t feel guilty about saying no when you meant no, Liliana,” she said.

"I know.” I nodded softly.

“It’s like a miniseries,” she said. “Drama at every turn. No wonder there's so much tension.”

“And plenty of guilt,” I said. “It's like the universe's sickest joke, Alistair coming back into my life right when I'm with someone else."

"Do you still have feelings for him?" Maddie asked gently.

I paused, the question forcing me to be honest with myself.

"I've been trying to deny it but...deep down I think I do. Seeing him brings up all these old emotions, you know?"

Maddie nodded understandingly. "The heart wants what it wants. You can't help who you have feelings for."

"It just feels like the timing is never right with Alistair," I sighed.

Maddie patted my arm.

“And now, on top of my mixed-up feelings, Austin thinks he can tell me what to do. I still can’t believe he tried to get me to give up the account and cancel the Colorado trip. Didn’t even ask.Toldme to.”

“That pisses me off, and I don’t even know him,” Maddie said.

“Austin’s a good guy, but I think he wants to control everyone around him, and I’m just not down for that. The thing is,I’veeven thought maybe it would be best if I got reassigned and dropped the account.”

I really didn’t want to, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t make things easier on everyone. Especially me.

“Don’t do that, Liliana. You’re nailing this account so far. And once you wow Avalon Spirits, you’re on the fast track to top management here, for sure.”

I knew I’d be shooting myself in the foot if I dropped the account now.

“He said we’d be over if I went on the trip.”

“What!?” Maddie’s eyes went wide, looking enraged. “Liliana, he can’t control you like that. Huge red flag. You shouldn’t have to choose.”

"Then why do I feel so guilty?" I whispered.

"You shouldn't!" Maddie insisted. "Look, it's clear things aren't working with Austin. Don't stay with him out of obligation if it's not right."

Hearing her say what I thought lifted a weight off my chest. I had been trying so hard to force this relationship into what I wanted it to be instead of what it was.

“Thanks for letting me talk it out, Mads.” I gave her a hug before she left my office.

“Glad my hunger for gossip could help,” she said with a laugh.

She got up to leave and then stopped at the door. “Hey, Liliana.”

I looked up at her.

“Don’t you dare drop that account.”

I knew then I wouldn’t. I’d worked my ass off on that account.

I was determined that no matter what happened, I was going to make sure Hard Rock got that collab, and my career stayed on track.

I figured I’d hear from Austin before the trip, maybe with another ultimatum if not an actual apology.

I decided that I’d at least do Austin the courtesy of letting him know I was still going on the trip. He could make whatever decision he wanted based on that.

But since that was his sticking point, I wanted him to know I hadn’t changed my mind.

When I called, his phone went to voicemail. I didn’t leave one.

He’d see that I called and return it or not. The ball was in his court.

An hour later, my phone buzzed with a text from Austin.

I think it's best if we end things. This just isn't working.

He was seriously breaking up with me over text?

“Wow…” I whispered as I stared at the screen in disbelief.

“Take care” were the last words of the text.

My first instinct was to call him and demand a real conversation.

But as I went to dial his number, my fingers froze over the screen. Was there really anything left to say at this point?

We'd both made our positions clear.

I should’ve been angry or sad. But I wasn’t. Instead, I felt…relieved.

Relieved to know that Austin wasn’t the right guy for me. Letting Austin steamroll me would have slowly suffocated the person I was.

I realized in that moment I didn't want Austin himself all that much. I wanted a partner. That person clearly wasn't Austin.

I didn’t cry the way I had when I found out about Julian cheating on me.

I couldn’t muster a single tear about Austin breaking up with me, in fact. With that chapter over, I really didn’t want to think about him anymore at all.

I pulled out my laptop and worked on the Avalon Spirits presentation instead. I wanted to win them over.

I wanted a promotion.

And I had to admit to myself, I really wanted to make Alistair proud.