Page 33 of The Man with the Knot
“Right,” Michael adds, “and Brax has been working for years on how to counter this problem in his homeland. He’s been successful too! Now, he brings his methods of aquatic preservation to New York because we’re also experiencing the effects of climate change.”
I stare at Brax, trying to grasp all of this new information even as I grapple with my shock.
“So, you’re moving to New York?” I ask in a faint voice. Michael gives me a strange look but doesn’t say anything.
“I am,” Brax says simply. “There’s a lot for me here. I hope so, anyways.”
My heart pounds at his words and I clench the countertop tightly.
“Well, I’m curious to hear more about your vision,” I manage to say in a steady voice. “You’ll be an asset to the city.” Meanwhile, my heart is a flurry of emotions—surprise, panic, joy. A little bit of anger.
“Ah crackerjack,” Michael interrupts. We both look at him. “I spilled some coffee on my tie. Give me a second, Braxton. I better go see what I can do about it in the bathroom because dry cleaning in this city isnotcheap.”
Michael scoots around Brax, forcing him to step further into the tiny break room before exiting. We’re suddenly very close, and very much alone.
“Morgan,” he starts just as I speak.
“What are youdoinghere?” I hiss.
Brax winces. “I wanted to talk to you, but I didn’t know how to find you. I just knew that you worked here.”
“And so you decide to get a job in my building? At my place of employment?” I demand, my voice full of … something. I’m not sure why I’m so mad at Brax, but I can’t control my emotions. “You’rethe one who didn’t want to pursue anything,” I hiss under my breath. “You let me get on a plane and was pretty clear that you wouldn’t be in touch—”
Brax just shakes his head. He holds up a hand to touch me but puts it back down again immediately.
“Morgan, I want to talk to you. I want to talk about all of this, but not here.”
Of course, I agree. I want, no Ineed, to talk to him, to know what the hell is going on and if he’s actually planning on staying in New York. Or if this is all just a ruse to visit me and then leave me heartbroken once more.
I decide to be honest with Brax. “I don’t know if I can talk to you,” I say in an even voice. “We’re co-workers now, and that kind of conversation isn’t appropriate. Nor is it normal.” It’s painful to speak the words out loud, but he needs to understand just how hurt I am. How much I’ve longed for him. How I thought he was a piece of my past, but never my future.
Brax closes his eyes. “Please, give me a chance, okay? After work today. We’ll talk. We can get everything out in the open. Please.”
“You can’t just show up and do whatever you want,” I hiss again, although his presence is exactly what I want.
“But now, I’m here,” he responds in an even tone. “After work? I’m begging you, Morgan.”
I hesitate but then give him a small nod, too scared that if I speak again, I might start crying.
Fortunately, I hear Michael’s steps as he rounds the corner back into the break room. If he notices the weird tension, he doesn’t say anything.
“Well, that tie will be soaking for the next bit. Nice to run into you, Morgan, and thanks for entertaining the new guy for a minute there while I was occupied. But now I have to get him back to more appointments and paperwork. Braxton, shall we?”
“Yeah, sounds great. Morgan, nice to see you.”
Brax backs out of the doorway, keeping his gaze trained on me until he disappears. As soon as they’re gone, I wheel around and grip the counter with both hands, my breath coming out in short, ragged spurts.
Why the hell is Brax here?
He claims it’s for some job, but more than anything, I hope it’s for me. That he’s had a change of heart. That he reallydoescare about me more than he ever let on.
It has to be…
Because if it’s not, if he’s just come to visit or apologize but do nothing to change our situation, I’m not sure if I’ll ever recover.
Please, please, please…
I glance at the clock hanging above the doorway. It reads 12:03.