Into You Series: The Complete Collection

35. Ian

CHAPTER 35

IAN

Eight months ago

W hat have I completed on my last day of work at Treasures Inc.? Let me think: I played air hockey in the warehouse, I stole freezer food from an anonymous employee because the fish sticks were too tempting (and who cares if I take a two-hour lunch?), I annoyed Grace in her office until she kicked me out, and I scoured the building looking for Nia until I realized she wasn’t here.

It felt odd that she conducted my exit interview yesterday. Generally, she’s very active on an employee’s last day, but not today. Not with me.

I sit in the break room later, surrounded by co-workers; I can’t recall half of their names. I’ve been here almost nine years, and the staff has drastically changed with our spike in growth the past year. Veterans left for bigger and better things, and the only people I really know anymore are Grace and Nia.

Grace carries a small cake to the round table, nine candles lit to signify my years here. They all sing a rendition of “Happy Birthday,” except they’ve replaced it with “Happy Last Day.” I laugh as they all expect from me, but it’s all wrong. None of it feels like a proper exit. Not without Nia.

We pass out the cake, with Grace cutting the pieces. A scowl rests on her face. I’m sure she has work to do, but she’s trying her best to be a good sport, just like me.

“Hey, so where is Nia?” I ask. I force a chuckle, like it doesn’t really matter and isn’t driving me insane, but with her raised eyebrow and smirk lifting the corner of her mouth, I can tell she knows me better than that.

“She took the day off,” she says, shoveling another piece onto a paper plate. “Gary, this is your last piece.” She hands it to the plump man in the corner who looks like a child being denied his lollipop.

“Weird,” I say, just low enough so people can’t eavesdrop. “She normally makes a big deal out of last days.”

“For real.” Grace’s eyes grow wide, letting out an exhalation. “If she were here, I wouldn’t be doing this stupid cake-cutting job.”

“Hey, it’s my party.”

“Yeah, and you’re fully capable of using a knife too.”

“Did she say why she isn’t here?” I ask, trying to maintain a nonchalant manner, but it’s not working. I feel betrayed. Even with our ups and downs, she’s been my constant at this company. If only she knew she was the reason I’m leaving in the first place.

“Nah, just needed a day, I guess.”

I can see through Grace, or maybe I’m just projecting my own insecurities that Nia is definitely absent because it’s my last day and she’s finally done with my shit.

“Don’t feel too bad,” Grace says, walking to the sink to wash the knife as people slowly leave.

“No, I feel absolutely stellar,” I comment flatly. My tone is laced with sarcasm, but I can’t help it. Today was going to be the day I filled her in on my not-so-secret secret. Nia needs to know I’m leaving for her. We argue, sure, but I want to finally try for something more. I’d argue with her forever if I could. She’s the only woman I want, and now we’re no longer co-workers. The barriers are gone. We’re free, able to do whatever we like.

Whatever we like… If only she knew. If only she would have me.

“Well, she’ll be a bridesmaid in my wedding, you know.”

“That’s eight months away,” I say.

“Okay, grumpy Gus, I’m just saying. You’ll at least see her again.”

“Well, there’s that.”

She waves the dripping knife at me. “Hey, my wedding gift to you is a second chance.”

“Shouldn’t I be gifting you something?”

“Nah, I’m good.” She winks and wipes the knife down before putting it back in drawer.

Grace and Cameron’s wedding.

I’ll see Nia then, and I will let her know.

Because she has to know.

I won’t stop until it’s crystal clear.