Page 65 of Broken Boss

How do I explain it?

Unexpected.

Inevitable.

“It’s…it’s…complicated.”

With a sigh, Grant leans against a chair. He mulls the situation over, brows furrowed.

“You trust her? This isn’t one of those situations where she’s only after you for money or advancement in her career?”

I shake my head. “No. She’s going after partner, but she’s actually the one who wanted to keep this quiet. Actually—” I glance out into the office again, but Autumn is long gone “—I think things are a little more one-sided than I’d like to admit.”

Grant’s mouth quirks into an amused smile.

“So she’s smart.”

I laugh. “Yes, very smart. And a good lawyer. If things were different…” Waving a hand, I do what I’ve been doing this whole time and don’t let the thought take root. But it catches Grant’s attention.

“No, don’t do that. If things were different—what? What would you do?”

There’s only a moment of hesitation before I answer.

Because I know exactly what I want.

“If things were different, I’d let her consume me. I’d give her anything she wanted. I’d take her to Nate and Gen’s wedding, show her off, make everyone jealous, go home and treat her like a queen, and never let her leave.”

I’d beg her to marry me.

That thought takes me by surprise. But in this moment, I know it’s true.

Autumn is the only woman I want. The only one I need, and I’d give up anything for her.

Pressing my lips together, I look at Grant, worried. He must see it in my eyes, because he sighs again.

“Well, there’s only one thing to do, then. You’ve got to tell her.”

Chapter 21

Autumn

“You’ll be fine, boy, go back to sleep.”

Frank whines nervously and I glance up, worried that Chris will hear and come out to see what’s going on. But I can still hear the shower running.

It’s Saturday morning; if I catch the train now, I can be at Fishkill in two hours.

But Frank knows something is off and wags his tail low and wide, big brown eyes staring up at me.

“It’ll be fine,” I whisper, in part to reassure myself just as much as him. “I won’t be gone long. Just stay here. Distract him if you can.”

Kissing my big mutt on the head, I sling my purse over my shoulder, stand, and open the front door quietly.

There’s already an Uber waiting out front to take me to the station. My stomach twists into a knot; this feels wrong.

It’s not too late for me to go back inside and ask Chris to drive me.

I can’t do it, though. Things have felt too…close. Too vulnerable. It’s like there’s no longer a wall between us.

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