Page 27 of Forever His This Christmas

***

“Lisa’s not in today,” Donald stated seeing Corey moving down the hall towards her office. “She called in sick.”

“She did? That must be why I couldn’t reach her on the phone,” he replied feeling deep down, it was over.

“She must really not be feeling well because she hardly ever calls in sick. The last time was after she’d gone homethe previous day. She comes in with minor upsets, colds, and headaches so if she called in, she’s bad off.”

“I’ll let her rest then. It’s nothing pressing anyway,” he stated glancing into her office, the one that was at his building to coincide with her new position taking care of all federal requirements for the company. He caught a glimpse of her the next day and tried to talk to her, but she made it clear the only thing between them was work.

A month passed by, and nothing changed, she would only look at him during meetings, only talk about the company. It was as though they’d never shared a single moment together. He wanted to discover what she was doing with herself now, if there was anyone else that was in her life or if he could win her back. He held off not really wanting the answer and was surprised to find her outside his office that Friday afternoon.

“Lisa, come in,” he said stepping aside, not sure what to expect, but he didn’t care about being late to his meeting. “How are you?” he asked when the door was closed behind him.

“I’m fine Corey. I’m actually only here to give you this,” she replied handing over the letter. She watched as he opened it, reading the short resignation and waited for the questions to start.

“Lisa if this is because of our relationship…”

“Past relationship Corey, but no, it’s not about that. This is an opportunity that I would be foolish to turn down,” she stated seeing the hope that it wasn’t true splayed across his face.

“I see, and where exactly is this great opportunity?” he asked sitting on the edge of his desk.

“Chicago, I’ve arranged to work the next two weeks and take the last two using my vacation time I have earned. I have roughly six weeks saved up unless you have any issues with that.”

“No, I have no issues with that,” he lied; he had a million issues with it. He didn’t want her moving; he wanted her with him. It felt like his heart was ripping apart all over again, but the look on her face was entirely cool and collected, and that pissed him off.

“Thank you.”

“Actually, you have eight weeks of vacation time on the books. You’re free to use the entire four if you’re sure this is what you want to do. I don’t want to keep you somewhere you don’t want to be. I will have HR use the four weeks to satisfy your contract and have them pay out the other four.”

“Thank you, Corey. Are you sure you won’t need me to come back in at all?”

“No, your work is exemplary. It will take us no time to figure out where you’re at on it. As your employer, I’m saddened to see you go but wish you the best in your work endeavors. As the man in love with you, I wish you would stay not only with me here at work but with me period,” he said reaching for her. He caught her hand and pulled her up against him, kissing her because he couldn’t stop himself. If it were the last time, he would always remember it and her.

Lisa felt herself slipping as the kiss deepened and pulled back from him, shaking her head, praying she didn’t look as affected as she truly was.

“I have to go pack. Goodbye Corey,” she said walking out and back down to her office. She brushed away the tears closing her door and told herself over and over that she had to go as she packed. She settled her things into her car and took a final look around her office, leaving this part of her life behind as she went home to Abby.

“He just gave you the entire month off?” Abby asked in surprise when she asked her daughter if she’d like to go on their vacation earlier than planned.

“In the end he pays me less this way,” she said trying to hide the pain leaving him and this place caused her.

“Mom, are you absolutely sure you want to go to Chicago? We can stay here. You could tell Corey the truth about me and beg him to not go after anyone in Colorado. We could all be together, and you’d be happy.”

“I’m happy with you honey. Corey and I would never work in the end. We’re too different, see things in different ways on too many subjects to make a relationship work. So, let’s get things packed and head out a bit early, alright?”

“Are you kidding…this sounds like the most incredible thing ever. Could we add in a couple days in Venice? I know we’re planning to go to Rome but what about Venice too?”

“Of course, honey,” she agreed loving the enthusiasm in her. They quickly packed the rest of the apartment, and she rebooked their flights adding in a few days in Venice for Abby.

They spent several days in Paris, and she was amazed at her daughter’s grasp of the language. She was incredible and it was amazing to see her expanding, thriving in the different surroundings. It wasn’t incredible to see the teenage boys interested in her, not after what she’d been through. She pulled Abby down the sidewalk giving her a look, “That’s enough flirting there, young lady.”

“Mom…”

“Exactly, Mom—and you know when I became your mom which means you know why I’m going to be very overprotective of you when it comes to boys.”

“Fine, but you have nothing to worry about. I’m not likely to fall for some cheap line.”

“I know you won’t but there are always things you don’t account for,” she warned.

---