I have committed a social faux-pas. A technological felony, if you will. 

I double texted.

No, I'm lying. I triple texted.

In my defense, I was rather tactful... I think.

I asked Hunter if perhaps it would be better to meet in person to talk. He didn't reply. Then a day later, I said "or whatever works for you". Again, no reply. I'm starting to think that he's ghosting me. Albeit, he has valid reasons.

This whole 'have faith' nonsense is easier said than done. How am I supposed to remedy the situation if he won't talk to me? Kimmy suggested that I reach out through Jack, but it seems juvenile to involve other people. Plus, Jack has been slightly distant with Kimmy since the press conference, canceling dinners and postponing dates. I suppose they both have a lot going on right now, so I'm trying to be patient. But patience is hard to muster up when someone you love is slipping further and further away from you.     

Standing in line at Starbucks, the familiar scent of Chanel number 7 fills the air. I turn around to the grumpy Southern woman who won't make eye contact with me.

"Good morning, Marice," I say cheerfully. Maybe today it'll be different. 

"Miss Sterling." Marice nods then roll her eyes like a petulant teenager.

Nope, no change. Marice has been moody and one-wordy with me for the last eight days. Eight days! If I had to venture a guess, Hunter's mom probably mentioned our 'break-up' to her, and now I'm in the dog house.

"Marice, can we just talk? Please?" I beg as we pick up our orders. "You can't ignore me forever!"

"Watch me!" Marice huffs and starts walking to her office. 

"Marice!" I whine, desperately trying to get her attention. "I'm sorry!"

Marice comes to a sudden halt and I bump into her, spilling coffee down my sleeve. "Sorry for what exactly? Breaking that poor boy's heart? Or doing it after making him fall in love with you? Hmm?" She unlocks her office door, shuffles inside, and slams it in my face.

God, she's savage.

To be fair, she did warn me. If someone breaks my little cub's heart, I will never forgive that person. Little did I know, she was being completely serious.

I trudge down the hallway to Camille's office and slump into the chair opposite hers.

"Marice?" Camille asks as she passes me her laptop.

"Yup," I sigh.

"Been there," Camille shrugs sympathetically.

Camille caught me crying in the bathroom several days ago when I was on the phone with Kimmy. There's something strangely magical about a room full of toilets that just bonds women. She proceeded to pat me on the shoulder and fix my running mascara. For a minute, I thought hell had frozen over, but then the rumor mill started spinning. News travels fast in a department mostly populated by women: Mr. Tremblay was getting divorced. Once the papers were served, Camille and Mr. Tremblay went public with their relationship. Camille is now a homewrecker, but at least she's a happy homewrecker. I was worried she'd fire me since I didn't have anything on her anymore but she actually started acting nice. Her attitude did a complete 180, which I'm grateful for because we have to work together on the SunFire account.  

We have until the end of the week to finalize all promotional material before Christmas break. The CEO of SunFire is hopeful for a January 2nd launch. Camille and I jokingly suggested the slogan of "New Year, New Me, New Phone" but the executive team loved the idea, so now we're rolling with it. Don't get me wrong, Camille and I are not friends, but at least our work relationship is now amicable.

"Choose your top three favorite designs, and we'll submit those to Tremblay for final approval," Camille states, and I begin scrolling through the different color scheme options for the campaign.

Camille leans over and starts shuffling through her bag, pulling out a rolled-up copy of the New York Times.

"Holy crap," she exclaims, and I peer up from the computer.

Plastered on the front page, the headline reads: Edgar Carlisle and Mitchell Fanconi Charged With Bribery and Conspiracy. What!?

"Can I?" I ask eagerly, my hand reaching forward.

"Fine." Camille passes me the paper and I begin reading the article.

NEW YORK. Mitchell Fanconi, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration supervisor, and Carlisle Industries CEO, Edgar Carlisle, have been charged with bribery and conspiracy for using Fanconi's influence to bypass FDA protocols and fast-track Fairview Pharmaceuticals' products.

Mitchel Fanconi, 58, and Edgar Carlisle, 61, were arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jennifer Cairn. The defendants were indicted by a federal grand jury on Monday, December 14, 2020.

Fanconi allegedly carried out a kickback scheme with Carlisle, using his position to ensure that Fairview products were first to reach the market. In turn, Carlisle provided Fanconi with monetary compensation. Through a privately conducted investigation, several of Fanconi's purchases were tied back to a Carlisle Industries corporate credit card.

"God, you read slowly." Camille snatches the newspaper out of my hands, nicking the soft space between my thumb and pointer finger.

Under normal circumstances, a papercut would make me cry out in pain but I feel numb as I process what I just read. This is what Hunter and Jack uncovered. This is why they both quit. This is why dad had a stroke. Edgar Carlisle.

My dad used to talk to me about corporate avarice. The devilry of wealth accumulation at the expense of the people. I've read about it, studied it, but never thought I would feel its effects on such a personal level. 

I hope he goes to jail. I hope he goes bankrupt. I hope...Hunter forgives me. You are your father's son. I can't believe I said that. I can't believe I compared him to that monster.

"Delilah, we need to finish this," Camille says softly as I wipe a tear from my cheek.

I take a deep breath. "I like options B, D, and E."

By lunch, Camille and I finalize the initial release documents and send them to head office. With a nagging ache in my chest I make my way to the café and order a chamomile tea. I fold my arms on the table as I sit down and lower my head. I can't help but think about Jack. He must be struggling right now. His world must be falling apart. He loves his father. Although I hate his dad, I feel sorry for him. I can't imagine how I would feel if I found out my dad did something like this. Thanks to Jack's dad, I guess I never will.

"Lilah? Are you ok, babe?"

I raise my head to find Jen's crystal blue eyes. "Hey, yeah I'm fine. I'm just resting."

Jen sits down beside me. "You've been a bit off the past couple of weeks. You sure you're ok? You didn't come to lunch yesterday."      

I give her a half-smile. "I haven't been very hungry lately." I've been running off of caffeine and guilt the past few days.

 "Still." Jen passes me a pastry bag. "You should eat."

"Thanks, Jen." I take a reluctant bite of the blueberry muffin. "How's everything going with you?"

"Pretty good actually. Ever since Mr. Tremblay's divorce went public, Camille's been so much easier to work for. She actually let me leave early last Friday. Can you believe that?"

"Well, I'm glad to hear that." I sigh. "I feel bad for his wife though. She must be devastated."

"Actually." Jen leans in closer. "The girls upstairs said that she was planning on leaving him for like a year and since he's the one who ended up filing for divorce, now she gets fifty percent of everything. She's probably ecstatic."

For the next fifteen minutes, Jen recaps everything I missed at lunch with girls. I nod and smile but can't process a single piece of information. My mind keeps wandering to Hunter and Jack. Are they ok?

My phone vibrates on the table and I read a text from Kimmy. 911! Call me ASAP!

"Jen, sorry. I need to make a quick phone call."

"It's cool. I gotta get back to work anyway."

I stand up and dial Kimmy. The line doesn't even ring before she answers.

"Lilah!" Kimmy shrieks.

"Kim, what's wrong? Are you ok? Are you hurt?"

"What? I'm fine. Are you at work right now?"

Really?

I sigh with relief. "We've talked about this! You can't send me a 911 if you're not dying!"

"Lilah, this is an emergency. Are you at work right now?"

"Yes, it's a Tuesday, Kim. Obviously I'm at work. I'm just on my lunch break."

"Ok, perfect. You need to run to Nobu. Right now!"

"Nobu? What? Why?"

"I was shopping and wanted to get some sushi. So I went to Nobu and guess who I saw inside?"

Did she 911 me for a celebrity sighting? Again?

"I don't know? Lady Gaga?"

"What? No! Lilah." Kimmy grunts. "I saw Hunter."

"You did? How did he look?"

At least he's eating.

"He was with this brunette woman and they looked awfully friendly!"

...Penelope? No, he wouldn't.

My heart sinks to my stomach. "Friendly?"

"Yeah, I saw her rubbing his hand!"

"That's it?"

"Well yeah! I saw them then ran out and called you!"

"Maybe they're just friends?"

"Lilah! You told me that he doesn't have female friends!"

Ugh, I did. After that When Harry Met Sally discussion.

"It could be a colleague?"

"A colleague who rubs his hand? Really?"

"What do you expect me to do? Run to Nobu and crash his supposed date?"

"Exactly! Go! Run!"

"Kimmy, that's insane. I'm not going to do that. He'll think I'm crazy."

Kimmy grunts. "Lilah, how are you going to feel if you don't do anything and then he ends up dating this woman?" Kimmy's voice softens. "Sweetie, you have nothing to lose. Just go."

"Kimmy, I don't know..."

"Lilah, do you love him?"

I hesitate. "Yes-"

"Then go! Go get your man!"

Screw it!

"Fine!"

I hang up and rush out of the building. This is insane. I am insane! But the idea of Hunter with someone else is crushing. Jacketless and in flats, I run as fast as humanly possible through the snow infested street. After four blocks the adrenaline kicks in and I don't feel the cold anymore. I see Kimmy as I cross the street, I run past her through the doors of Nobu.

"Hi, do you have a reserva-"

Scanning the restaurant, I spot Hunter in the far right corner. I sprint towards the table, stopping just in front of him.

"Hi." Bending over, I catch my breath. I wipe my nose that's dripping. How attractive. I must look like a mess.

"Lilah." His bright eyes are wild with confusion. How I've missed those eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm sorry!" I blurt out. "I am so sorry. I'm sorry for hurting you, I'm sorry for judging you. I'm sorry for not believing you. I'm sorry for comparing you to your father. I'm sorry about Miles. I'm sorry for everything!"

"Lilah-"

"No, please. Let me finish." I quickly take a look at the gorgeous brunette for the first time. Not Penelope! "I know you don't want to talk to me so I'm just going to talk, ok?" I don't let him answer. "When we first met I felt an instant connection and that scared me. After I found out what you do for a living, I got scared even more. I thought, why would he be interested in someone like me? We don't run in the same circles. We live two different lifestyles. But the more I got to know you, the less scary it became. Every moment we spent together, I felt myself falling in love with you. And oh, my God, I fell so hard. But when I got that class action notice, I just lost it. I was blinded by anger and pain. I said so many things to you that I didn't mean. If I could, I would do it all differently. But I can't. All I can do is tell you how much you mean to me. You've shown me what it means to be loved. You've been kind, generous, thoughtful, attentive, caring. And I love you, so so much. So please, before you move on with-" I look over to the brunette. "What's your name?"

"Sarah," she whispers as she slightly laughs.

Disregarding her smugness, I continue. "Before you decide to move on with Sarah. Please consider what I just said. Please."

I stare at Hunter as he tilts his head and his eyes soften. "Lilah, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Sarah." He motions towards the brunette."Sarah, this is the girl I was telling you about."

Sarah holds out her hand. "Lilah, I presume?"

I blink rapidly. Cousin? I close my eyes feeling embarrassed. I can't believe I said all that in front of his cousin. I feel my face turn crimson. I'm going to kill Kimmy.

Sarah stands up and smiles at me. "I'm going to go to the ladies room. It seems as though you two should talk." She squeezes Hunter's shoulder as she walks away.

"You're wet," Hunter comments as he gives me a once over.

I hadn't noticed that my blazer was almost completely soaked through. "It's snowing," I murmur.

"I know that." Hunter stands up and reaches for his jacket. Is he leaving? Shit. Before I can say anything he drapes the thick wool coat around my shoulders. It smells like him. Like manly vanilla. "Do you want to sit down?" he adds.

I nod as I take Sarah's seat. I slip off my flats under the table, my feet are drenched. Why did I do this? Ugh.

I comb my fingers through my hair as I try to read Hunter's face. He looks calm, a hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"How did you know I was here?" he asks.

"Kimmy saw you," I admit with a sigh.

"Ah, I thought I saw her." Hunter chuckles. "Did she think I was on a date?"

"Yeah." I nod sheepishly.

Hunter's inviting hand reaches across the table and I instinctively reach for it. As our skin touches, my breath hitches. "Lilah, the fact that you thought I would be on a date while in the middle of an FDA investigation and a major lawsuit is-" Hunter tries to find the right word. "Silly." I frown. "And the idea that I would be over you in a couple of weeks is absurd." My heart leaps in my chest.

Hope.

"It's just- You didn't answer my calls," I whisper as Hunter rubs his thumb in circles on my hand.

"I know." He exhales. "I wanted to but with everything going on I felt like I needed time. I just wanted everything to be out in the open before we spoke again."

Everything as in his father's scandal. "I understand."

"I assume you've seen today's paper?" he asks in a solemn tone.

"I have."

A moment of silence dances around us. The connection between our flesh becomes more dominant and intense as the seconds pass by.

"My father," Hunter begins quietly. "Is a loathsome man. What he did is...disgusting. A part of me thought that once you heard the news, you'd run away from me, as far as possible."

I narrow my eyes. "Why would I run from you?"

"Because, as much as it pains me to say, he's my family. And my family is responsible for the death of so many people," his voice cracks, and pain fills his wary eyes.

I tighten my grip around his hand. "You are not responsible for his actions, Hunter."

"I should've been more diligent, more thorough. More involved." He shakes his head. "I just didn't care enough. I never wanted this job. I just did what I was told, no questions asked."

"You can't blame yourself for what he did. His actions are not a reflection of you... or Jack."

"Truthfully, when you texted me saying you wanted to talk-" Hunter pulls his hand away and runs it through his hair. He hesitates."I thought you wanted to tell me goodbye, forever."

"Hunter." My lips pull up into a grin. "The fact you thought that is absolutely absurd."

We're both quiet as the undeniable yearning and unfathomable admiration for one another crackles like fireworks in our eyes.

"Did you mean what you said earlier?" Hunter's chest rises as his eyes scan my face. "Even with everything my father did?"

Yes.

I stand up and walk around the table. "You are not your father." I graze his stubbly chin with my hand, tracing the edges of his jaw, his nose, and lastly his lips. "I- I love you," I whisper.

Hunter closes his eyes as he rakes his fingers through my damp knotted hair, pulling me closer. "Baby," he breathes. "I love you, too." Hunter's nose brushes against mine. "More than you can possibly imagine."

Then suddenly his plump, velvety lips meet mine with a long drawn out moan, audible only to us. I fall apart as his kiss intensifies, shaky and shallow sighs escape my throat. This is where I belong. This is home.

It takes every fiber of my being to pull away from his electrifying touch. I run my fingers over my lips, savoring the moment until I look around and see almost every other table staring at us. And just like that, I'm pulled down from heaven, crash landing on earth. Nobu Manhattan to be exact. I quickly check my watch. Shit. I'm so late.

"Hunter, I need to get back to work!" I take off his jacket and hand it back to him in a panic. Even with our mended relationship, Camille is going to kill me for taking a long lunch.

Hunter chuckles as he pulls out his phone. "Harry's around the corner." He cups my chin and gives me a lingering kiss. I'll call you tonight."

I smile blissfully and start heading towards the door. "Ok. I'll talk to you later."

"Lilah?" Hunter calls out.

I turn my head. "Yeah?"

Hunter looks down at my feet. "Where are your shoes?"