Page 94 of My Forbidden Boss

David parks his car in his reserved space. I help Mom out and we reach the elevator. My skin prickles for another reason, and it has nothing to do with shopping with Mom and celebrating.

The first chance I have, I’m going to get David alone and tell him exactly how I feel.

I will no longer deny what I feel for David. Nothing will silence me. I won’t let anything stand between us.

Not anymore.

David’s cell pings with another message. His brow furrows as he reads the message and when he looks at me, it’s distant. “Please excuse me, but I have to visit the office. Something has come up that needs my immediate attention.”

“Do what you need to do, David. I’ll be fine taking Mom out,” I say.

The crease between his brows doesn’t disappear. He kisses my cheek, a perfunctory gesture, and walks back to his car. The engine starts with a purr as he races off.

“I’m sure everything is alright,” Mom says.

I smile and nod. “Yes. Me too.”

We go back to David’s apartment while Mom gets ready to go back out to the shops. I track down a taxi service that can handle a disabled person, but my thoughts aren’t on the screen of my cell. I pace the apartment, discord making my heart beat heavy, cell forgotten in my hand.

“Something is bothering you, sweetheart,” Mom says as she appears from her bedroom.

I brush it aside. “I’m okay. Let’s find you something to wear.”

She approaches me with knowing eyes. “Go to him.”

“What?”

“Your mind isn’t here,” Mom says.

“But we’re going shopping,” I say. I want to take her out. Show her New York, I want —

“And I’m giving you permission to think about yourself first for once. Go to him. Don’t wait to tell him whatever is on your mind,” she says. “I’ll be fine here. We can go out anytime, but something tells me this can’t wait,” Mom says.

I hug her. Her words provide me with the relief I wouldn’t ask for myself. “Thanks, Mom.”

I rush out the door and take the first cab I can hail to Blue Sky. My leg bumps up and down as we fight the New York Traffic. Each second is an hour and to bide the time I pull out my cell and the message I haven’t replied to.

Maddy: I’m so sorry. I told him where you were. Don’t hate me ??

My fingers twitch over the letters. I’m filled with a caustic mix of love and hate for my friend. I don’t want to feel this way.

Me: Why did you tell him where I was?

The reply is instant.

Maddy: He rang me. He sounded so desperate. He wants you, Adeline. Badly. If he is it for you, then I couldn’t do anything to keep you apart. That’s not up to me

Me: You should have told me

Maddy: I know. I tried. I think he might have already got to you when I texted

Me: You need to always ask me before you act on my behalf

Maddy: I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. You’re my friend and I love you. I’ll always do the best by you

I pause, watching the crowd blur past the window and wonder if they’ve found the love of their lives and what their friends did to help, no matter how ill-conceived. My heart aches to think that some might be as sad and lonely as I was.

Me: I’m in love with him. I’m on my way to tell him

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