Page 85 of Enchanting the CEO

He looked up at me briefly. "No. If you want to leave, it's effective immediately. Starting tomorrow."

I felt like he'd slapped me. This was not what I'd expected at all. "But what about the other tours?” I'd been counting on that money.

"No, I want a clean break. You said you want to start on your own, and I respect that. I will simply assign your other tours to the other guides."

"George, I didn't think today would be my last day. I simply wanted to let you know so you have time to look for a replacement."

"No need for that. The others will be happy to take over."

Crap. "Well, then, that's it, I guess, George."

“It is.”

I headed straight to the meeting point with my group, feeling like everything was crashing down around my ears. Why was I so stupid? I thought I was doing an honorable thing, letting him know ahead of time. Truthfully, we didn't have any clause in the contract that told us to give advanced notice.

It was the first time since I'd started doing tours that I couldn't muster too much enthusiasm, and that was reflected in the tips.

Great! Am I about to embark on another spiral downward?

No, no. I just started on the wrong foot, that was all.

After the tour was over, I walked down the Freedom Trail lost in thought, already trying to make a plan. I still had enough of my tutoring sessions booked this week to make rent. And I had a bit of a nest egg that I'd built up since I'd started tutoring. I was sure it would all work out.

I arrived at the house at six o'clock. Gabe's car was already here. Oh God, I could imagine how this conversation would go.

I opened the door and momentarily forgot all my troubles, watching my sexy man walking barefoot through the living room.

He looked over his shoulder. "Hey. You're late."

"I had a long day. I'm a bit exhausted."

"Good thing you don't have to do anything except relax tonight."

That's when I started to sniff the air. "You ordered takeout?"

He grinned. "Even better. I cooked."

"How? What did you cook?" It didn’t smell like burned food, so that was a plus.

He rolled his eyes. "Have a bit of confidence in me, would you? I followed a recipe this time."

"I’m curious."

"What's wrong?" he asked and tilted my head upward. "This is more than just tired. Something happened. Tell me. I need to know."

"Um... well, I told my boss today that I intend to start my own company."

“How did he take it?"

"Said there was no need for me to turn up for the rest of the tours I've been booked for."

"Fuck."

"I just don't know why I told him."

Gabe stepped closer to me. "Because you're honest and you wanted to give him a shot to find someone to replace you."

"Yes, exactly."

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