Page 71 of Once Upon a Beast

“Well, you didn’t tell me that.” Ella leaned back in her chair and put her arm over the back.

“Why does that make a difference?”

“Whatever it is, it probably has nothing to do with you or he doesn't want to worry you about it. It says a lot about you for noticing it and it says a lot about him that he even said something to you. He could have shrugged it off, he could have said nothing was wrong. He could have said it was none of your business. Instead, he agreed with you and I’m sure it made him love you more. You know him so well he can’t hide anything from you.”

“You think that’s a good thing?” I hadn’t thought of it that way. I was just worried about Nic and wanted to help him.

“Don’t you want someone that you know, that you can tell when they’re having a good day or a bad day. Don’t you want someone who can give you the same? I think you and Nic have it and it’s wonderful. Dax and I are still figuring each other out but we haven’t known each other as long.”

“And soon you will have the rest of your lives to figure everything out,” I said with a sigh.

“Yes, we will. And so should you and Nic. Think about it, if you know him so well now, imagine how much more you will in twenty, thirty, even fifty years from now.”

“We haven’t talked about our future. He hasn’t said anything.” I shook my head.

“Does he even need to. The man loves you, he had you move in with him the weekend you slept together. This isn’t a man who isn’t sure how he feels about you or if he wants to commit. He’s all in. Though I’m wondering by your hesitation if you are?”

“I am too. I just wish he would talk to me. I hate having this between us.”

“Did it take away the joy of him saying he loved you because you felt this distance between you two?”

“No. Not in the least. When he was with me last night, he was with me. It was like the rest of the world didn’t even exist. I had never had a man be so into me, into what we were doing as he was. Not even when we had been together before. I’m sorry that might be too much information.” I could feel myself blushing and Ella smiled and gave me a reassuring pat on my arm.

“Sort of, but not really. I’m glad that it was so intense. I’m happy for you. And it only helps prove my point. The man loves you. He might have something going on that he can’t share with you right now, but that doesn’t mean he won’t. Everything can’t be wine and roses and ballroom dances every time you’re together. You’re going to have some ups and downs.”

“Do you and Dax?”

Ella laughed and leaned back in her chair. “Every day. There are definitely more ups than downs but it’s hard being in a relationship. But we want to make it work so we work on it. We have the added stress of working together. Though I’m not sure how much longer that will last.”

“What do you mean? Do you think he’s going to fire you or something?” I sat up.

“More like I think I’m going to look for another job. Maybe within the company or with another one. I haven’t decided. Something needs to change, and probably before we get married. I can’t keep working as his assistant.”

“You’re too good to be his assistant. You could be an office manager or running a department,” I said.

“Possibly. I’m looking into options in the company and have talked to our new HR manager, Gil. He’s wonderful and so much better than Tanya.”

“Anything would have been better than Tanya,” I said. Ella had some issues with the head of human resources when she first started working for Dax’s company. It turned out the woman had been harassing other employees as well. Dax had found out and put a stop to it.

“True. He’s very supportive of finding me a better fit for my qualifications and experience.”

“Have you told Dax?” I asked.

“And now it can come full circle. No, I haven’t. I didn’t want to worry him about something until I knew what was going on. Plus, if I told him he would probably find a way to create a job for me and I don’t want him to do that.”

“So, you’re keeping something from the man you love because you’re protecting him and you think that Nic’s probably doing the same thing with me?” I asked.

“Exactly. Trust him. Trust what you feel for him. Trust what you have started together and what you’re going to have.”

“I do and you’re right. He’ll tell me what’s going on when he’s ready. I shouldn’t push him. “I sighed.

“Oh no, definitely push him. Men will clam up quicker than anything if given the chance. Don’t let him. But know he’ll only tell you when he’s ready,” Ella said with a laugh.

“I’ll remember that. Thanks for the pep talk. I didn’t even realize I needed it until we talked.”

“Always here for you,” Ella said.

We didn’t get to talk much more as we had to go back to our jobs but the conversation kept playing in my mind and I wondered how I could gently push Nic. It didn’t matter what I had in mind because as soon as I got home Nic was waiting for me and said, “We need to talk.”

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