Page 113 of Dear Grumpy Boss

He stared at me for a long time then gave a slight nod. “What would you have said?”

I’d thought about this since things started with Elise. How I would explain. How much was any of Elliot’s business. He was her brother, but he’d been a parent to her also.

“I would have told you we’re in a serious, committed relationship. That my intentions for her are not short term. I would have explained thought and consideration went into the decision we made to be together, including your feelings, but in the end, our feelings for each other were paramount.”

He lowered his head, pressing two fingers to the space between his eyebrows. “Admirable you’re willing to get serious, but why did it have to be my sister?”

“It couldn’t have been anyonebutElise.”

“She’s too good for you.”

“I don’t deny that.”

He glowered at me. “You know, yet you let this happen?”

“I didn’t let anything happen. It was a decision. I’ve also made the decision that Elise is my priority.”

He scoffed at that declaration. “Interesting, but forgive me if I don’t believe you. You weren’t able to do that with the last one.”

If I hadn’t been so on edge, I would have laughed. He still disliked Marisol so much he wouldn’t say her name.

“It’s not about ability. It’s a choice and a desire. Nothing I can say now will convince you I’ll be a good partner to Elise. I can’t show you the future. But I do think you know me well enough to understand when I decide I’m going to do something, I don’t back down or accept failure.”

He finally lifted his head. “Do you love her?”

A rush of…not panic, but a strong, overpowering emotion hit me. I swallowed down the knot in my throat. “That’s not something I’ve told her yet.”

“But do you?” he pushed.

Another swallow. “I’ve loved Elise for as long as I’ve known her. It’s evolved over the years, and what I feel for her now is vastly different from what I felt for her when we were kids.”

“It’s love, though.”

I nodded. “I’m not saying it to you before I say it to her.”

He chuffed. “Never thought I’d be having this conversation with you.”

“Neither did I.” I scrubbed at my jaw, antsy to get away but needing to know Elliot and I would be okay. “I’ll be good to her.”

“I really don’t want to end our friendship, but I will always choose my sister over you if that’s what it comes down to.”

I heaved a heavy breath and told him the stark, honest truth. “I understand that because I would choose her over you too.”

He blinked at me and stayed silent, obviously contemplating my words. I thought about what I’d said too. It had come out before I even considered it, but if push came to shove and I had to choose, Elise would be it, hands down.

“As you should.” He pushed back from his seat and stood. “I’m going to see my sister now.”

I bit my tongue to stop from telling him I should have been the one going to Elise.

“Don’t give her shit,” I warned.

He lowered his chin, giving me another long, heavy look. “She’s always been the most important person in my life.”

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me with no idea what he was thinking.

At least I was no longer burning with rage. There was no room for it, not when I was filled with a consuming worry that I wouldn’t be Elise’s choice after Elliot got to her.

Chapter Twenty-seven

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