Page 85 of Kiss From A Rose

The old fears were still there, and they came to the forefront when I was triggered. It was no different for Gray, who worriedthat I'd leave if he inadvertently screwed up. He told me when that happened, and I did the same.

"Only to take a piss, babe."

I made a face. "You've got such a way with words, my darling Gray."

"I know. It's a skill." And just like that, he put me at ease.

He didn't ignore my needs or my wants, but he also didn't make it a big deal; just said he'd be there for me and moved on. We were not going back. We were moving forward.

It was a great party, and Gray and I had more fun than ever before.

Gray did leave me when he had to go up on stage to announce his decision to step down as CEO and President permanently.

"Thank you all for coming here tonight." He was a charmer, and I felt all the tingles watching my handsome husband command a room.

Unfortunately, that was when Aimee, who was still at the company, though not Gray's EA any longer, decided to find me.

"Hello, Rose."

I gave her a tight smile and nodded in response, then turned my attention back to my husband.

Gray's eyes flickered with concern, but I shook my head, telling him the best I could silently and from a distance not to worry.

I got this, my darling Gray.

"Justin has been doing a remarkable job while I've been goofing off," Gray continued, his eyes shifting away from me to his successor. "Come on up here, Justin."

As Justin went up on the stage, Aimee said, "I'm surprised to see you and Gray back together."

I clapped at something Gray said, ignoring Aimee.

"Rose, I—"

"Shh, hon, we'll talk after the speech, yeah?" I said gently.

God, but she was young, I thought. Painfully so. She was young, confused, and infatuated with her boss. Her married boss. I felt bad for her. I had expected to feel anger or resentment for how she had behaved with Gray after I left, but I just felt pity. She'd grow up, and I hoped she'd look back at this time without cringing too much.

"I know I said I'd be back in the Summer, but I've decided to step down as CEO and President."

Whispers and chatter ran through the crowd.

"As some of you know, my wife runs a Bed & Breakfast on Angel Island, and we’re living there now, though we’ll still come and go from our home here in Atlanta. I’ll continue to serve on the board of Rutherford Architects and work on projects that Justin decides to involve me in"—he grinned at Justin—"but it’s time to hand over this company, and your well-being, to a man I consider both a friend and an exceptional colleague."

Everyone clapped. I joined in.

"You're ruining his life. He was going to do great things with the company," Aimee hissed, "And you—"

"Shh, Aimee," I said a little more forcefully this time. "Gray's still speakin'."

I never talked to her this way, ever. But I was a new woman.

"Rose, darlin', come on up here, babe," I heard Gray say.

I walked to the stage, and he took my hand, gently leading me to the microphone. He knew I hated being the center of attention, but he had cleared this with me beforehand. "My wife, Rose, and I have been married for twenty years now," he began.

A congratulatory applause and some whistles went around the room.

"She's the most beautiful person I know."

---