Page 81 of Beauty and the Boss Man

Chapter Thirty-five

Aiden

I’m almost all the way home before guilt eats at me enough that I turn back around.

Ever since I woke up, today has been the day from hell. Everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. I woke up late and then spilled coffee on the hat Romy got me. Then, I got a flat tire on my way to work and found out we lost the Stevens job once I got there.

And to top it all off, I still feel like shit and can’t seem to shake this cold.

But none of that is an excuse for how I treated Romy. I took my bad day out on her, and it wasn’t right.

Earlier, she even tried to tell me something eventful about her weekend, and I completely blew her off.

The truth is, I was a total dick for no good reason. She probably thinks I hate her for her decision about our relationship—or lack thereof.

But that has nothing to do with it. I meant it when I told her that nothing would change, but then she comes in, and I’m sure it seemed like everything had changed.

Honestly, I’m not mad at her. Although my feelings were hurt, anger never played a part in it. And when I came home from Key West and cleared my mind, I was able to see that something was bothering her. I’m not sure if it was me or something else entirely—and I didn’t ask like I should have.

Maybe if I had, I could’ve helped her through it—or at least listened. And maybe things would have turned out differently.

Maybe.

Either way, I’m on my way back to the office to apologize, and I hope to catch her before she heads home for the night.

I spend the rest of the drive trying to think of what I’m going to say to her and about what an idiot I’ve been. My head is still fuzzy from the cold medicine I took around lunchtime, so it makes it hard to focus on anything too long, but I try.

When I get to the job site, some of the guys are finishing up for the day, and they all wave and say hello as I park and make my way into the trailer.

I bust through the door, hoping to see Romy sitting at her desk, but she’s not there.

Damn.

I should’ve looked for her car in the parking lot before I came in, and I could’ve saved myself some disappointment.

I walk over to her desk and notice something. It’s not just that Romy is gone, but she took all of her stuff with her. The only things that are left are her monitor, docking station for her laptop, and a folded piece of paper.

The outside of the paper is labeled: Mr. Montgomery

My fingers practically rip the paper as I open it to read. My eyes struggle to focus.

Mr. Montgomery,

I realize this is probably the most unprofessional way I could possibly do this, but I’m giving you my resignation.

I thought that we could come back from our trip, and everything would go back to normal. I felt that even if we left the romantic stuff on that beach, maybe we could bring the bond we formed back with us. Hell, I was even entertaining the idea of…more.

But now, I see that you can’t put the genie back in the bottle. God, I wish we could because I’ll miss this job so very much.

I’m sorry for not giving more notice and for leaving you hanging, but I don’t think the uncomfortable situation between us is very good for your business.

I’ve emailed you a list of phone numbers and passwords—everything you’ll need to handle things without me. I hope you find a great assistant to replace me—someone who has a tougher skin. And someone who won’t throw herself at you when she’s drunk.

I wish I could do this, but I just can’t. And I know it’s all my fault. I’m sorry to leave you in a bind. I’m sorry I didn’t know what I wanted when it mattered most.

But most of all, I’m sorry I kissed you on that beach.

-Romy

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