Page 41 of Kiss From A Rose

I thought about it and said, "At least six months."

If Justin was surprised, he had no idea how I felt. I had transformed Rutherford Architects from what it was under myfather into the international juggernaut it had become. I did it with sweat and blood—and it appeared, at the cost of my marriage.

"You sure about this? You can work remotely or—"

"I need the time off. I'm sure."

"When do you want to do this?

"After our meeting tomorrow, where we come up with a transition plan. I'll still be available. Just a phone call and email away. But I've got to go bring my wife home, Justin. You'll be acting CEO and President."

"I won't disappoint you," he said softly, but I knew he was shocked that I was handing off the mantle of the position I'd worked so hard to elevate. But sometimes life was more important than making money; actually, it always was. I had only realized that now, after Rose left me.

"You never have disappointed me, Justin, and I don't believe you ever will."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Gray. So, where is Rose?"

I told him.

"Nice. It's a beautiful place. Okay. I'll put together a list of all projects and their statuses, and we can go through them. I'll also draw up a communication plan for the employees."

"I don't want anyone to know until we're done discussing this and nailing down transition."

"Absolutely."

"Justin," I took a deep breath and continued, "did you also think I had somethin' goin' on with Aimee?"

Long silence.

"Why is everyone thinkin' that? Do I give out sexual creep vibes?" I demanded.

Justin sighed loudly. "No, man. I know you, so I never believed it. Butyou know Aimee talks about you like that with everyone. Not that you're…you know, doin' stuff, but that you had dinnerwith her and how you both were working in your hotel suite. She's sort of been indicating that you're an item. And, I already knew about Rose leaving before you called, 'cause—"

"Aimee told everyone?" I filled in.

"Yeah, and that you'd bothvery soonmake y'all official."

"Well, she's going to be your problem acting President & CEO."

Justin chuckled. "Since I play for the other team, boss, I won't have a problem with Aimee. But I already have an EA, and I like her. We'll find something else for Aimee to do. Let me handle it with HR. Don't worry about it."

"Justin, when you saw Rose and me together, what did you think of our marriage?"

"That you were one lucky SOB to have a wife who was so in love with you."

"And how did you feel about Rose?"

"Man, Gray," he winced.

"Tell me."

"That it was sad because she always looked lonely, especially at the work parties, which was where I mostly saw her. She'd talk to people and watch you as you mingled. It was obvious that all she wanted was to be with you. I never believed any of the honey trap rumors.Andshe's damn beautiful."

Honey trap rumors? Yeah, so the whole fucking city knew that we married when we were young because Rose was pregnant with the twins. We weren't the first or last couple to have a shotgun wedding, but it had been a scandal when Rose May Smith became Mrs. Gray Rutherford. I still remember how lost she'd looked when I dragged her to my parent's home and left her there—eighteen, pregnant, and scared.

My father had taken one look at her and said to me, "I can see why you fucked her, Son, but I can't see why you couldn't wrap it up."

My mother had said to Rose, "You've fallen into a pot of gold, girl, but mind you, Rose May, you mess with the Rutherford family name, and I'll send you right back to the trailer park."

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