I look over my desk, making sure I've packed up the last of the items off of it. I'm about to grab ahold of my box when my office door opens. The intruder is one that's studiously ignored me for the past four and a half weeks other than an occasional wave or hello.

"So, it's true then. You're leaving?" I don't say anything I just nod. "Why?" I internally roll my eyes at his question. Considering he's barely spoken to me since everything happened with the Adri situation I'm going to guess he knows exactly why. "Amelia?" Him saying my actual name, not one of his nicknames for me, has me letting out a sigh.

"Well, Luke, I mean Mr. Warner, offered up an opportunity I couldn't really say no to." I give him a shrug of my shoulders. "But I said no to him anyway and then I quit."

"Wait, what? What do you mean he offered you another job?" He looks completely confused; confused and lost. "Like here, within the company?"

"No, not here. Luke offered me a position to go work at another office downtown. The pay is nearly double but I declined and quit effective immediately." His quizzical mask soon turns into one of irritation.

"Why would you do that, Amelia?" He next to never calls me Amelia but he has twice already. I suppose it's better than him not calling me anything at all for the past month. "It sounds like he was only trying to offer you a great opportunity. Why would you turn down a job that pays you double?"

"I'm guessing the only reason I got offered the job in the first place has something to do with the fact you've barely talked to me and neither has Adri in over a month. So, I'm not going to stay where I'm not wanted."

"Why would you think you're not wanted here?" I quirk a brow at him while throwing him a disbelieving look. "I've just been really busy lately and you know I haven't—"

I hold up my hand saying, "please, spare me whatever excuse it is that you're about to send my way. I'm not an idiot, Jamie, I know you. I don't need to be lied to."

His face falls. "Amelia..."

"Sometimes I wonder why I ever left the east coast. I should've just stayed where I belonged, at least where I felt like I belonged." I grab my box and go to walk around him when he steps in front of me. "Get out of my way, Jamie."

"You're wanted." He says the words but his face is blank, unreadable. "I want you."

"Maybe that's true and maybe it's not anymore. But I'm not wanted here." I gesture to the room around us. "And you know what? I'm alright with that. I'm smart, attractive, and I've got a lot to offer. I'm not going to be in a place where I feel uncomfortable and unwanted. I don't need to." He looks taken aback for a second but then he smiles. "What the hell are you smiling about?"

"I'm digging this whole empowered woman vibe." I roll my eyes at him. "What, I'm serious?"

"Please, just get out of my way, Jamie." He throws up his hands and gives me a resigned look as he steps aside. "Hey, since I probably won't talk to you, happy birthday." His features immediately fall and I know it's because I sing to him every year but I definitely won't be doing that this year. From last year to now our relationship has done a complete one-eighty.

"Mellie, I'm sorry I've been—"

The office door swings open, interrupting Jamie, with a flustered looking Mr. Warner saying, "Amelia, please don't go." He's out of breath and worry is etched into his features. "Please, you're welcome here. I don't want you to go."

"I'm sorry but your words are just words at this point. I no longer feel welcome here." I stated honestly.

"Amelia, please, I meant no offense." Luke looks worried and why that is I have no idea. Maybe a little bit of an idea.

I clutch my box tighter to me, looking down at the picture of Rhoen and I on the top. "You know I think I'm all set working where I've either fucked my boss, another employee, or where my boss is sleeping with my real father." Luke's face goes pale. That's it, he's worried about Denver. "I'm really getting tired of having my entire world revolve around the men in my life. I think I'm going to get out of this industry for a while. So, if the two of you will excuse me, I've got other employment to look for."

I walk past Jamie determinedly, not even sparing him another glance as I do. Luke tries blocking my entrance by grabbing the door frame. I feel my jaw tighten as I look up into his grey-blue eyes. I stare at him, trying to express my discontent with my features, and before I know it he gives me a resigned nod. He lets go of the frame and lets me pass.

I carry my belongings down the hall, avoiding everyone's curious glances, before entering the elevator. As I stand there waiting for the doors to close I feel a smile creep up my lips feeling proud of myself. But just before the metal doors clang together I see Jamie making his way toward the elevator. He gives me one last desperate look then doors close and I begin my decent toward a different future.

✩✩✩

The entire car ride home I experienced a litany of emotions. I was initially euphoric thinking how it will be nice to start something new. Maybe I could even get into my old love of photography again. I knew whatever I decided to do Rhoen would support me completely. He'd actually probably be elated for me distancing myself from Jamie.

Speaking of Jamie, I pull into our driveway feeling a bit melancholy about our whole situation. It's our fault we are the way we are. We can't seem to put that genie back in the bottle in the least. Regardless of whether or not we are with Rhoen and Adri it seems as though there will always be feelings there between us. No matter how slight, they always seem to be lingering somewhere off in the distant places of our minds.

I notice a familiar car parked in the driveway as I mull over things. When I reach the semi-circle in front of our house I scan over Adri's car. Why is Adri parked in my driveway?

Just as I pull in I see her leaving the house. Rhoen leans on the doorframe and then waves at her then he notices me. He doesn't change his position and Adri gives me a giant smile as she makes her way over to me. The smile makes me want to roll my eyes as I get out of the car since she hasn't talk to me in weeks.

"Hey Amelia!" Adri comes up to me giving me what looks like a sincere smile. "Long time no see."

"Yeah, I was going to say the same thing. Haven't talked to you or Jamie in a while, really." But I'm sure she knows that, not that I blame her after what Jamie had told me.

"Jamie is actually why I'm here." I cross my arms over my chest and arch a brow at her. I'd say she was here for some type of confrontation but by the look on Rhoen's face I doubt it. "His birthday is next week."

"I'm aware of when Jamie's birthday is." I've only known him the majority of our lives. I'm not going to say that last bit though.

"Oh I know, uhm, I was hoping that you wouldn't mind hosting a birthday party here, being his oldest friend and all." I feel my brow furrow in confusion. "I know it's a weird request but my place is super small compared to this." She gestures to the mansion of a home behind her. "And I know things have been kind of tense between the three of us since, uhm" she looks away from me, "since you know..." Since Jamie almost kissed me in my office, among other things. She doesn't have to say that though, she's right, I already know it.

"Yeah, no worries about that anymore since I quit today." She begins to open her mouth but before she can ask what I know she's going to ask I say, "I'd really rather not talk about it. I'm just looking forward to something different."

"Okay." She fiddles with the hem of her dress. "I know he misses your friendship and I think this would be a really great birthday present."

I let out a long sigh. "What did Rhoen say?"

"He said it was up to you but he's all for having a party here since you guys haven't had one yet." I look away from her and see Rhoen watching our interaction from his place at the door. He's too far away to hear our exchange but he's still studying us. "Listen, I know he's put some space between the two of you but you know that doesn't mean that he doesn't care about you. If anything he cares too much about you, Amelia."

"You don't have to explain it to me, Adri. I just don't know why you'd want us to throw his birthday party after basically a month of straight up avoidance from you and him."

"Can you blame us?" I shake my head no at her. "He still had feelings for you. I don't think those will ever completely fade away but that doesn't change that you're his oldest friend. He doesn't have any of those here. You know it would mean a lot to surprise him."

I nod my head in agreement. "Have you talked to his parents about coming?"

"Well no, I wanted to get the okay from you about having the party here." I give her a frustrated look and she throws up her hands. "I know, I know it's really last minute. Do you think you could help me?"

"Of course I'll help you throw him a party, Adri. You already knew the answer before you got here." She throws her arms around me, giving me a giant hug and I hug her back.

Although our situation is complicated it doesn't change that fact that we both care about the same person. And even though I may not like to admit it, I'm happy Jamie found someone who understands him and cares about him like I do.