Page 43 of Loving the CEO

I stayed put until they faded away completely, then headed to my own bedroom.

I am definitely screwed.

Chapter Ten

Tory

Over the next two weeks, I tried to bring some sort of routine to my life. Leo told me that I was more than welcome to use his home office; he had a room set up downstairs with a desk and everything but never worked from home. I took him up on his offer because, despite having a huge bedroom to myself, I was getting a bit of cabin fever by staying in one place.

But as time passed, I got cabin fever anyway. I was spending far too much time indoors. I was tempted to take Natalie, Meredith, and the other girls up on their offer and go out with them, but... well, I wasn't sure they really meant it. Maybe they’d just offered to be polite. I felt like I was intruding in Leo's life as it was. I was also wondering, slowly, if I should take a look at apartments. He could probably help me find something.

But the truth was, I wasn't convinced that I wanted to stay in Boston. Then again, what was there waiting for me in New Orleans? Nothing. I’d have to start over back there as well. Somehow it felt easier to do that in Boston.

On my second week in Boston, I got a package from New Orleans. Mom sent me some candles from my favorite store. I knew it was her way of telling me she loved me—she’d never been good with words. I texted, thanking her, but never heard back from her.

At five o'clock in the afternoon, I closed my laptop. I didn't have specific working hours, but as it happened today, I'd finished earlier than I thought I would. I rose from the desk, shaking my hips a bit to wake them up, having been sitting for far too long.

Now, what to do, what to do?

I cooked dinner from time to time, but there were still leftovers for this evening’s meal, so there was no need for that. But the kitchen could use a bit of polishing. A cleaning company came regularly and had already been here last week, but I needed to feel useful.

Having made up my mind, I hurried to my room, changing into something more comfortable, choosing a summery short dress so I could move about easily. I didn’t have too much choice, to be honest—I didn’t bring enough clothes from New Orleans. Then I pulled my hair up in a ponytail.

I always wore skimpy clothes when I was cleaning, but I wasn't too worried that I’d run into anyone. Earlier today, Leo texted me that he would be home very late because he had a meeting, so I’d have plenty of time to change before he arrived.

Grabbing the cleaning supplies, I went to the kitchen. I usually put music on while I cleaned, but now I wanted to catch up with Debbie, so I called and put her on loudspeaker.

"Hello, stranger. Turn on the camera so I can see what you look like."

“No can do. I’m deep cleaning, so I’ll be moving around."

"That's code for ‘I'm not in a good place.’"

I bit my lower lip. Well, I couldn't deny that. Debbie really knew me. I only did deep cleans when my life was a dumpster fire.

So I should be deep cleaning from dusk to dawn every day.

"Talk to me. You’re not enjoying your life in Boston?"

I sighed. "I am. I just feel a bit caught in limbo. I don't actually have a life here."

"It's been two weeks. It'll take you a while to get the groove of this new phase."

"I like how you phrase it."

It was true, though. I was on another path of my life’s journey, and I should embrace it. I wasn’t mourning over Walter—no, not marrying him was honestly a relief. I just felt... unsettled, like my life had no future.

“Listen... I have some news for you.”

My stomach constricted. “What is it?”

“Walter wants to move out of the house. He’s got a new place.”

I swallowed hard. “With her?”

“You really want to know?”

“Yes.”

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