I Quit Being His Replacement Girlfriend, Then He Finally Panicked Chapter 03

I Quit Being His Replacement Girlfriend, Then He Finally Panicked Chapter 03

My hand froze in the air.

I could feel Elodie’s stare burning into the side of my face.

Like she could see straight through me.

The truth was, I didn’t get carsick.

Back then, work had been brutal. I had been running on fumes for days, then had to catch a flight for a business trip.

I had gotten into the car on an empty stomach and thrown up the whole way to the airport.

That was why I hadn’t replied to Dash in time.

When he asked about it later, I casually mentioned that the ride had made me sick and that I hadn’t checked my phone.

I never thought he would remember it for so long.

Much less decide I got carsick.

I smiled.

“You got it wrong. I don’t get carsick.”

Dash’s expression stayed calm.

“You misunderstood. I was talking to Elodie.”

Before humiliation could hit me, fear did.

The entire ride, Elodie kept studying me through the rearview mirror.

Several times, she casually brought up the online boyfriend who had once treated me so well that everyone at work knew about him.

“Online relationships are what they are,” she said. “A little emotional support. That’s all.”

I was mortified and trapped, forced to answer her questions while wishing I could teleport home.

Just as Elodie was about to ask more about my online love story, the car finally stopped outside my apartment building.

“My dog’s been inside all day,” I said quickly. “I need to take him out. Thanks for the ride.”

Before either of them could respond, I grabbed my bag and walked away.

After my shower that night, a text from Dash lit up my screen.

[Stay away from Elodie at work.]

[She’s smart. She’ll figure things out.]

Not long ago, he had been the boyfriend who worried about me over every little thing.

Now, in person, we could only act like strangers.

My chest ached.

[I’ll be careful.]

[To keep her from misunderstanding, we should delete each other’s numbers.]

I didn’t wait for his reply. Out of spite, I blocked him first.

Maybe I hadn’t slept well.

The next morning, my eyes were swollen when I got to work.

Pippa appeared out of nowhere and handed me an ice pack.

“Don’t tell me you cried under the covers over your online boyfriend.”

“I didn’t. I probably drank too much water before bed.”

I pressed the ice pack to my eyes and didn’t notice Elodie walking past.

On the way to meet the client, Pippa was a bundle of nerves.

I almost laughed. “Why do you look more nervous than you would for an interview?”

“You don’t understand. This client is vicious. Last time, he tore into Nolan so badly that Nolan hid in the bathroom and cried when we got back.”

After hearing that, I couldn’t help getting nervous too.

But when we arrived, I realized the client was someone I knew.

Breck Calder grinned and held out his hand. “Maris Keene. We meet again.”

The last time we had met, Breck had come with his father to discuss a project.

Elodie and I had been new interns.

Dana had brought us along to shadow her and learn how client meetings worked.

That day had been the start of everything.

Because Breck was the one who had asked for my number.

Pippa’s gaze bounced between us. She leaned close and whispered, “You know him? Then we’re totally fine, right?”

I pressed my lips together. “Not really.”