Christmas with my Three Best Friends (Lucky Lady Reverse Harems)

Chapter 28

28

Marius

T he longer she is away, the more I miss her.

It’s as if a hole was left where my heart is supposed to be. An emptiness in desperate need of filling, an emptiness only Shay can fill.

I’ve always kept a clear head in my previous relationships. I had a certain sense of balance, a clear direction, a logical way of thinking that helped me move forward. With Shay, it’s different. It’s not worse, but it’s definitely strange and uncomfortable for me to be like this in her absence.

The mornings are gray and dreary, even if there’s a bright sun shining outside. The evenings are cold and gloomy, even if I’m wrapped in the warmest blanket. And no matter what I do, my mind keeps wandering back to her, beckoning me to chase after her—Shay wouldn’t want that, though. She needs her time and her space away. I can only respect that. But it’s killing me. Slowly.

One day at a time, I tell myself as I walk into the reception area. It’s snowing, giant flakes falling slowly outside the large windows flanking the reception desk. It’s an early morning, but there are plenty of regular clients coming to and from the locker rooms. I greet each of them with the brightest smile I can muster, but the face behind the desk puzzles me. I don’t know her, yet she’s wearing one of our branded polo t-shirts and handing out keys to incoming clients. A pretty girl in her early twenties, and she looks nervous. It’s clearly her first day.

“Hi, there, how can I help you?” the girls asks me.

I give her a polite nod. “I’m Marius. One of the—”

“Bosses, yes. Richard said you’d be coming in early,” she says with a sunny smile. “I’m Sarah. It’s a pleasure to meet you!”

“Likewise,” I reply. “I’ve been away for a couple of days, and I haven’t had a chance to check my emails and messages. So, you’re our new receptionist?”

“It was pretty short notice for me, since I only came in yesterday for an interview. I didn’t expect to get the job and to start so quickly, but here I am!” Sarah giggles.

“Well, I’m glad you’re on board, Sarah. If you need any help, please, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ve covered reception duties before, back when we were just getting started.”

“Good to know. I will definitely have questions,” she replies.

I look around. This place feels so empty without Shay. It’ll be empty without Richard, too, though Jax did mention he might’ve turned him around—we’re supposed to have a conversation about this today. Yet I can’t shake this nagging feeling that Shay’s absence may reverberate into something far more profound.

“Where’s Richard?” I ask Sarah. “Is he in yet?”

“He should be arriving soon,” she says.

“Alright, cool. I’ll do my own workout first,” I reply, quickly realizing I forgot my gym bag in the trunk of my car.

I leave Sarah to her reception duties and make my way back to the parking lot, only to freeze at the sight of Vincent and Roxanne making out by her silver BMW. They’re getting hot and heavy, too, judging by the roaming of hands and moans echoing all the way over to where I’m standing. I don’t know when this started, but I can’t help but feel genuine relief.

On one hand, there’s Vincent, the so-called good guy who wants Shay back. He had the audacity to bring her flowers and candy, to tell her he still loves her. Go figure, the narcissist asshole lied. On the other hand, there’s Roxanne, who has repeatedly tried to get back with me. I didn’t notice the chemistry between these two, but I find the entire scene rich and funny as hell as I snap a couple of photos with my phone. Something tells me I’m going to need the evidence for later.

Shay needs to know who she’s dealing with, no matter how she feels about the guy. She may reject him, she may reject us, too, but I don’t want her ending up with someone like Vincent ever again. She deserves infinitely better, and whether I’m part of that “better” or not, the prick I’m looking at right now definitely isn’t. Roxanne’s move on him is surprising, though. I’d expected her to keep a low profile at the gym, especially since she’s been so adamant about getting back with me.

“Huh, go figure,” I mutter softly and move to the side so they don’t see me.

Once they’re done with their make out session, they straighten their winter clothes and walk toward the building as if nothing happened, as if they’re simply sharing the same path up the sidewalk and into the gym. The cheapest form of theater, in my opinion, but a much-needed sight. It puts everything into perspective, and it certainly clears the air on so many levels.

Shay needs to know about this. I can’t lie to myself. It doesn’t change how murky things are between us, it doesn’t soften my longing for her, either, but at least it gets Vincent out of the way permanently.

My phone dings with a message from Richard. We need to talk , he writes.

Definitely , I reply.