Page 43 of The Boss's Hideaway Baby

“Thanks, Emily.” I force a smile, but, of course, no way in hell will I ever be confiding in her about anything.

As I return to my desk, my mind races with thoughts of what might happen if anyone discovers the truth about Nathan and me. Would I be able to find another job? Or would this be the end of my entire career?

It’s probably good that he doesn’t want to be with me anyway. Almost as bad as losing my career would be people thinking that I’m sleeping with my boss in order to get ahead.

Then again, in the light of Nathan giving me that check, things are different. I have more options now than I had before. Technically, I could walk away from this whole field if I wanted to. I could take the money and invest it in my own business, or real estate, or anything I want.

But I already know that I won’t be leaving this job anytime soon. A part of me is still tied here, tied to Nathan. Even if I hate admitting it to myself.

Finally, the end of the workday arrives and I waste no time wrapping up my last few tasks. Kelsey is coming to town for the weekend, and I’m starving for the kind of fun my sister always brings with her. Maybe, with her in tow, I’ll actually be able to forget about Nathan for a while.

Eager to escape the tension that’s become a constant companion at the office, I grab my purse and glance at Nathan’s door. His office is dark. He could have already left, since there’s a second door from his office that leads into the hallway.

But then his door suddenly opens, and he steps out.

“Oh.” I blink at him. “I thought you’d left.”

“Not yet.” He glances at my computer screen, which still displays an array of paint samples. “Redecorating?”

It’s probably the first time he’s asked me anything about my personal life since we returned to New York, and it catches me more than a little off guard.

“Oh.” I press my lips together. “I was just… I’m using some of the money you gave me to fix up the cabin in Montauk.” My cheeks flush at the mention of the place where we hid away together.

“Montauk?” Something flashes in his eyes for the briefest moment. It seems like he might say something more, but instead, he quickly shuts down again and gives me a tight-lipped smile. “That’s nice.”

I bite my lip to hold back a sigh, trying not to let my disappointment show. The memory of the intimate moment we’d shared earlier today, with our faces so close and my heart pounding erratically, is still fresh in my mind. But now, standing here with him, it feels like a cruel joke. As if every step forward only leads to two steps back.

“Thanks,” I mumble, averting my gaze from his unreadable expression. My heart aches, longing for even a hint of the connection we shared before reality came crashing down on us.

“Have a good evening, Maria,” he says, retreating back into his office.

“You too, Nathan,” I reply softly, the weight of everything unsaid between us hanging heavy in the air as I turn and leave for the day.

The door to the office building swings shut behind me, and I inhale deeply, trying to shake off the disappointment that clings to me like a second skin. I know I should consider finding another job, just to be away from Nathan. Seeing him every day is simply becoming too hard.

But every time I think about doing that, I can’t bring myself to take any steps toward it. It’s like I freeze.

I make my way down the busy sidewalk, a chill in the air biting at my cheeks as I pull my scarf tighter around my neck. The city bustles around me — honking cars, chatting pedestrians, and lights blinking and flashing — but all I can think about is the distance between Nathan and me that seems to grow larger each day.

“Maria!” a familiar voice calls out, and I turn to see my favorite ramen vendor waving enthusiastically from his food truck. “It’s been a while! How have you been?”

“Hi, Toshi!” I greet him with a smile, grateful for the distraction. “Things have been… busy. Can I get my usual order, please? Times two?”

“Of course!” He gets to work, expertly tossing ingredients into a steaming pot as we chat. “Who’s the second one for? You have a date?” He wiggles his eyebrows.

“Actually, my sister is coming into town tonight.” The thought of a date makes my heart sink, because there’s only one person I want to be going on dates with, and I know it will never happen.

“Ah, how nice! Enjoy your time together.” Toshi hands over my takeout bag filled with warm, savory ramen. “And remember, my ramen is always here to lift your spirits!”

“Thanks, Toshi.” I laugh, knowing that while ramen might not be able to fix everything, at least it’s a start.

Back at my apartment, I kick off my shoes and shuck off my coat, happy that my sister will soon be here and it won’t be another lonely, sad night spent by myself.

“Okay,” I murmur, setting the food down on my coffee table and pulling out my phone. “Time for some serious job searching.”

Kelsey isn’t due to arrive for at least another twenty minutes, and if I don’t make the most of this time right now, then I’ll never do it.

As I begin scrolling through various job listings, I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt. I love my job — it pays well, and I’m good at what I do. But the thought of being near Nathan every day, feeling the weight of our unspoken secrets and my desire, is becoming unbearable. Maybe it’s time to let go of this chapter in my life and start anew, somewhere far away from the man who’s stolen my heart and broken it in the process.

---