WAVE

Chapter 14

It's unfair, but I'm pissed. I'm so pissed.

I take the stairs, chest swelling with concern and anger. There's someone leaving, so I grab onto the door but I can't walk in. Reluctantly, I look back over my shoulder.

And I breathe a sigh of relief.

He's still there.

There's still hope.

I hold up my hand, flashing a short goodbye before I head inside, shutting the door behind me.

***

It's been three days.

I've left voicemails. Texts. Emails.

Tristan hasn't gotten back to me.

The only communication was in the form of a driver who arrived at my doorstep the next day. He's a closed-mouth type, and even three days later, hasn't told me a single thing about Tristan. At first, I didn't understand why he had someone sent to cart me to and from my job.

Until I had my first day back at work—and I couldn't get into the building.

The paparazzi are relentless, following me and my colleagues to lunch, trying to breach the security in the lobby to find my floor. I thought things like this only happened in movies.

I'm having tomato soup in my office because of this bullshit. Bullshit I'm going through because I'm crazy about a man that's fallen off the face of the earth.

Michelle, our department head, is sitting in front of me, relaying information I've missed from meetings in my absence. I'm not even listening to her.

I can't believe he hasn't called.

"Earth to Genevieve."

I lift my hand off my palm, straightening. "Yeah?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

She grimaces, nudging the glasses back on her nose. "Is it the gossip? I told Trevor to shut the hell up. Don't let it get to you—"

I didn't even know my department was taking part in the gossiping...until now. "It's not that," I mutter.

"Then what?"

"Just keep going, please."

She toys with her mechanical pencil, pursing her painted lips. "Has... Has he gotten back to you yet?"

I stare at her, holding my spoon. "No."

"He will."

I pull on my sleeves, feeling a chill come over me as I force a nod. She looks back down, reciting her notes, and I feel myself tune her out again.

This isn't like him. I know it isn't.

***

"Your brother is on the line," the receptionist says through the speakerphone. I drop my head, heaving out a sigh. He's called four times already.

"All right. Thanks. Send him through."

I relax into my chair, waiting. His voice fills my office. "Genny."

"Andre, hi. Sorry, I'm back at work. I've been swamped," I lie.

"You sure you're not avoiding me?"

"I have nothing to avoid you about."

"Well, this guy you met in Thailand has dragged you into—"

"Andre, please."

"You're all over social, Gen. You know that, right? What they're saying about you? These assholes are calling my little sister a home-wrecker. The guys at the site are asking me tons of questions—"

I roll my eyes. "Don't they have anything better to do? I don't know, like, their jobs?"

"You need to address this, Gen. For your reputation. You need to refute this."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because it's complicated, Andre."

"Oh, come on—"

"I'm dating him," I blurt out. "I've been seeing him since I last saw you."

"What?"

"I'm not going to be that person that steps in front of the cameras. I don't need to defend myself to anyone."

"Well, maybe your boyfriend should do it for you."

"Don't do that, Andre. Don't."

He growls. "Listen, if the guy really cared for you, he'd know that you're not used to this."

"I'm not asking him to go out and make a damn statement about us."

"You shouldn't have to ask him, Genny...that's what I'm trying to tell you."

My eyes sear holes into my desk, my teeth grinding together. Mostly because I hate that he's insulting Tristan, but also because I know he's right.

"I have to go."

"Please, think about this, Gen. Is this worth it? Is he worth it?"

"I have to go." Winded, I hang up, shaking my head. My hand doesn't leave the phone. I just stare at it. Lifting it back up seconds later, I dial Tristan's number again, feeling sick.

Voicemail.

I bite my lip, hanging up, not sure what to believe anymore.