Chapter 336
Madison
I smiled, taking a sip. “I did have fun today.”
“See? Life exists outside the office. Revolutionary concept.”
“Says the woman who works sixty hours a week.”
“But I complain about it properly,” she countered. “You wear your workaholic tendencies like a badge of honor.”
I couldn’t argue with that. “I’ve always been driven.”
“Driven is good. Obsessed is concerning.” She twirled the stem of her glass. “Remember college Madison? The one who painted on weekends and went dancing on Thursdays?”
“That Madison didn’t have student loans and a sick mother,” I pointed out.
“True.” She nodded. “But that Madison knew how to balance. You used to say ‘work hard, play harder.‘”
I winced. “Did I really say that? Sounds obnoxious.”
“It was your life motto junior year. Right before you met-” She stopped herself. “Sorry. Almost violated the no- questions rule.”
I took another sip of prosecco. “It’s fine. College feels like a lifetime ago anyway.‘
“Well, I miss aspects of college Madison. She was fun.” Hazel nudged my shoulder. “But I like current Madison too. Even when she’s being a workaholic pain in my ass.”
“I’m not that bad.”
“You color–code your calendar. You have separate notebooks for different types of meeting notes. You alphabetize your spice rack.”
“Organization is not a character flaw,” I protested.
“It is when it prevents you from living.” She finished her glass. “When was the last time you did something completely spontaneous?”
I opened my mouth to answer, then closed it. The beach day hardly counted since Hazel had practically dragged me there. Before that?
“Alexander’s penthouse,” I said quietly. “The night I called Dr. Peterson.”
Hazel’s eyes widened, “Whoa. That was unexpected. And technically about Alexander, but since you brought it up…” She leaned closer. “What happened that night?”
I shook my head. “Nothing relevant now.”
“Orders up!” The bearded man called from behind the counter, saving me from further explanation.
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We collected our pizzas, the boxes warm in our hands, and headed back toward Hazel’s apartment. The sun had fully set now, the city illuminated by streetlights and storefront displays.
“I’ve been thinking,” Hazel said as we waited at a crosswalk. “You should come to my company’s annual party next weekend. Lots of cute single people, open bar, good food. No pressure, just fun.”
“I’ll check my schedule,” I replied automatically.
Hazel fixed me with a look. “Madison.”
“What? I’m busy!”
“It’s on Saturday. You don’t work Saturdays.” She paused. “Do you?”
I shifted the pizza boxes to my other arm. “Sometimes. The Manhattan Project has a tight timeline.”
“All the more reason to take a break. Come on, when’s the last time you went to a party that wasn’t work- related?”
“Today. The beach.”
“That wasn’t a party, it was a hangout. I’m talking music, dancing, drinking excessively, and making questionable decisions.”
I laughed. “That’s your sales pitch? Questionable decisions?”
“Best kind there are!” She grinned. “Come on, say yes. I promise it’ll be fun.”
We reached her building, and she held the door open with her foot. “Think about it at least?”
“I’ll think about it,” I promised.
“Make yourself comfortable,” she called, heading to the kitchen. “I’ll grab plates and more wine.”
I kicked off my sandals and sank into her oversized couch, setting the pizza boxes on the coffee table. My phone buzzed, and I fished it out of my bag, half expecting to see Alexander’s name.
Instead, it was Mom: Having a lovely dinner with Mrs. Miller. Don’t worry about me. Enjoy your night!
I texted back: Will do. Don’t stay up too late.
Her response came instantly: You either. Say hi to Hazel!
“My mom says hi,” I told Hazel as she returned with plates, napkins, and a bottle of red wine.
“Tell her I said hi back and that she owes me a rematch at Scrabble.” Hazel plopped down beside me, expertly uncorking the wine. “Last time she destroyed me with ‘quixotic‘ on a triple word score. I’m still not over it.”
I laughed, opening the first pizza box. The aroma of basil, tomato, and melted mozzarella filled the apartment. She practices when I’m not home. I caught her with a dictionary once.”
“Cheater!” Hazel gasped in mock outrage, pouring generous glasses of wine. “And here I thought Sarah Harper was a woman of integrity.”
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“She’s ruthlessly competitive. Where do you think I got it from?” I grabbed a slice of the Margherita, the cheese stretching in perfect strings.
Hazel bit into her pizza and moaned dramatically. “Oh my god, this is life–changing. I’m never eating anywhere else again.”
“It is pretty amazing,” I agreed, savoring the perfect balance of flavors.
We ate in comfortable silence for a few minutes, both too busy enjoying the food to speak. Hazel refilled our glasses after we’d demolished half the Margherita.
“So,” she said, wiping her mouth with a napkin, “can we talk about the elephant in the room now?”
I sighed, reaching for my wine. “Let me guess. The elephant’s name is Alexander Knight?”
“Give the lady a prize.” Hazel leaned back, studying me with narrowed eyes. “Look, Madison, I’ve been trying to be supportive, but I’m worried about you.”
“I’m fine-”
“No, you’re not.” She cut me off firmly. “You jump every time your phone buzzes. You got all weird when I showed you those photos. And today is the first time in months I’ve seen you actually relax.”
I focused on my pizza, avoiding her gaze. “It’s complicated.”
“Relationships usually are. But they shouldn’t make you miserable.” Hazel set down her glass with purpose. “If Alexander is jerking you around or seeing Katherine behind your back, you need to cut him loose.”
“It’s not that simple-”
“It absolutely is that simple.” Hazel’s voice softened. “Madison, you deserve someone who’s all in. Not someone with one foot out the door and his eyes on his ex.”
I took a large sip of wine. “He’s not seeing her. It’s business.”
“Business dinners don’t end at midnight with her practically in his lap.” Hazel reached for the Inferno pizza, examining a particularly spicy–looking slice. “You know what would solve this problem? Dating someone else.”
I nearly choked on my wine. “What?”
“Go on a date. With someone who isn’t your boss. Someone normal who doesn’t have a supermodel ex circling like a shark.” She took a bite and immediately reached for her water. “Holy shit, this is spicy.”
“Serves you right for suggesting I date to make Alexander jealous.”
“Who said anything about making him jealous?” Her innocent expression didn’t fool me. “Okay, fine. Two birds, one stone. You get to remember what it’s like to date someone without all this drama, and if Alexander Knight happens to notice, well…” She shrugged with exaggerated nonchalance.
“That’s incredibly childish.”
“So is pining after a man who’s clearly playing games.” Hazel wiped her watering eyes. “Seriously, what
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happened to the Madison who wouldn’t take crap from anyone? College Madison would’ve kicked this guy to the curb weeks ago.”
“College Madison didn’t have to worry about career implications,” I muttered.
“Or maybe you’re just afraid to admit you have real feelings for him.” Hazel’s observation hit uncomfortably close to home. “Look, all I’m saying is consider your options. Jackson is nice. He asked you to dinner, right?”
I nodded reluctantly. “But with Alexander-”
“No buts.” She held up her hand. “Text Jackson. Say yes to dinner. In the worst–case scenario, you have a nice meal. In the best case, you find someone who doesn’t have a Katherine–sized complication.”
I picked at the crust of my pizza, considering her words. The idea had merit. Getting out of my Alexander- centric bubble might provide some perspective. And if he happened to find out…
“I’ll think about it,” I conceded.
Hazel beamed triumphantly. “That’s all I ask.”
Chapter 337
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
