His words sting. They were meant to, I see it in his eyes, but they shouldn’t because he’s right. I’m here for Anika, and shagging my boss doesn’t change that.
“Don’t do that,” says Anika angrily.
“What?” he asks innocently.
“You wouldn’t introduce Catherine as my carer.”
He scoffs. “Because she’s family.”
“And Wynter isn’t?” Anika fires back. “Or have you forgotten her name too?”
“It’s fine,” I say quickly, my voice quieter than I want it to be.
“She’s hardly family, Ani,” Ray cuts in, his tone sharpening. “She’s been here five minutes.”
Silence stretches, it’s tight. Uncomfortable.
They stare each other down, neither willing to back off. I offer Heather a weak smile, heat creeping up my neck.This is humiliating.
“Who is this exactly?” Anika asks, her voice pointed.
Ray smirks slightly. “You really want to do this now?”
“No,” I cut in quickly.
“Yes,” Anika says at the same time. “I do.”
Ray exhales sharply, irritation flashing across his face. “You told me to meet someone,” he snaps. “I’m doing what you asked.”
“You don’t date strangers,” Anika shoots back.
“I don’t date, Anika,” he barks, his voice rising. “When was my last date?”
The room stills. “In case you didn’t notice,” he continues, harsher now, “I’ve spent the last year either working or being here with you.”
There’s something bitter in his tone, something that makes Anika flinch. Her eyes glass over.
“That’s enough,” I say quietly.
But neither of them listen.
“You told me to put myself out there. You told me to find someone to look after me when you’re gone, so here I am, finding your replacement.”
My heart twists painfully. Is that what last night was? Just a step in that direction? And when it didn’t work out, he moved on, just like that?
I swallow hard, shame creeping up my throat. He was my first ever one-night stand, and I was nothing more than a mistake.
I glance at Anika. Her face crumples, the hurt written all over it. Something inside me snaps, and I push to my feet.
Ray’s eyes flick to me, his expression already hardening.
“Yes,” he says before I can speak, his tone sharp, “I took you out because she suggested it.” Each word feels like a slap. “But I fucked you,” he continues coldly, “because I was drunk.”
The room is so silent, we’d hear a pin drop. Its heaviness feels suffocating.
“Get the fuck out,” Anika growls, her voice shaking with fury.
Ray’s head snaps towards her. “It’s my apartment,” he fires back.