Page 27 of Boss Daddy's Girl

My chest heaves, and the tears fall, and I know I'm going to start ugly sobbing if I don't get out of here right now. I take off as fast as my legs can carry me. I don't stop, running as fast as I can until I'm back at our suite, shaking as I lock myself into our room.

All at once, I sob, ashamed that I didn't rush the happy couple and make a scene right in the middle of the cafe like Drake deserved and heartbroken that I was stupid enough to fall for him. I look at the bed where we spent so much time just hours ago, now freshly made by housekeeping, and want to puke.

But I can't fall to pieces. If I'm just an assistant to Drake, then that's all he'll ever get of me. I will never open myself up to be hurt by him again.

Actually, no. Fuck that. If he thinks he can sleep with me, take my virginity, and toss me to the curb, then he won't get assistant Ellie either. He will get none of me.

Heartsick and furious, I pack my bags as quickly as possible, intent on being out of here by the time he returns. If I'm lucky, I'll be on a plane back to Denver before he even realizes what happened.

Drake wants to abandon me? Fine. Two can play that game.

After payingan outrageous amount for an Uber, followed by a last-minute ticket back to Colorado, I don't start to feel any regrets until I'm seated on the airplane and the adrenaline of my escape from Drake starts to wear off.

I turned my phone off as soon as I left the hotel, knowing that if he called me and begged me to stay, I'd fold. Now, as the airplane starts to taxi down the runway, I hate realizing that I want to fold without him even speaking a word to me about staying. I want Drake that much. I love him, even if it makes me an idiot.

But that doesn't mean I have to hang around while he wines and dines other women. I might be an idiot, but at least I can be an independent one.

A few hours later, the plane lands, and I'm exhausted. I have a long drive ahead of me, and I'm not looking forward to spending more time in the car. But I've made my bed, and I have to lie in it. I take a deep breath and start the drive back home, grateful that at least I'm away from the man who broke my heart.

The entire drive is spent alternating between crying and anger. I should have known better than to let my heart get involved. Drake is my boss and nothing more. I'd been so careful to keep my feelings to myself, to keep everything professional, but in one night, all of that had gone up in smoke.

I've given Drake Evans my virginity, and he doesn't even want me. Now, I've lost my job, the man I love, and my pristine career reputation. Everything I've worked for is ruined.

I don't want to think about it anymore, but I can't escape it.

I yearn until I'm home, sinking onto my couch as I take out my phone. I switch it back on, dreading what I'll see. And immediately, my phone buzzes with an incoming call.

My heart sinks.

It's Drake. I can't deal with this. It might make me weak, but I can't.

Ignoring the call, I pull up his contact before he can dial again, and with my heart shattering inside me, I hit 'block'.

7

DRAKE

It isn't until I get the notification that a plane ticket has been purchased on my business credit card that I even realize anything is wrong. Because apparently, I'm the densest man in the world.

Kenneth Hopper called me just before I went on stage, telling me he was ill, but his intern Meredith would be meeting me to conduct the interview instead. Never once did I consider telling Ellie about the change. I guess I take it for granted that she isn't omnipotent. She seems so all-knowing all the time that sometimes I forget.

So when the interview runs long, and I return to our suite late, I figure she's just gone to get lunch without me. I text Ellie, and when she doesn't respond, I call her.

No answer. Frowning, I go to call again, just as the alert for the plane ticket pops up.

A flight has been purchased. In Ellie's name.

I stare at the screen in shock. And then I call her again.

Still no answer.

Fuck. She’s left me.

I'm going to lose it. I'm going to lose my mind. Because I don't understand. How could Ellie leave like this? What am I supposed to do? I can't believe she would go like this. I feel like my heart has been torn out of my chest. I don't know what to do.

I sink onto the bed, resting my head in my hands. I'm not usually a man who loses control, but this is too much.

Think, man. Think!

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