Page 68 of The Only Time

“Because he has basically told me. He’s so hot and cold with me. I swear, whenever he feels something real, he freaks out and pulls away.”

The corners of her eyes droop, as a soft sheen of moisture appears. “I thought maybe since he was acting different, since he seemed happier, that maybe he had worked through everything. Don’t give up on him. I think he’s crazy about you.”

A soft smile touches my lips. “He has a lot of issues with his past, especially his ex.”

Her voice raises slightly. “He told you about her?”

“About his fiancée? Yeah, she was clearly the worst. I mean, to leave him because she wants a man with more money. My gosh, how much money does the woman need? And for the man she married to end up being his boss. Ugh, gross.”

Layla’s face contorts into pure anger. “That’s what happened between the two of them? That bitch left him because of money?”

My body freezes. “He never told you that? Shit. I can’t believe I said that. I thought you knew.”

I can’t believe I just did that. He’s going to kill me.

“He never talks about it. With anyone. I’m glad he opened up to you. I told you there’s something between you two. He talks to you.”

Silence falls between us. I don’t know how to respond.

“What do you think about everything? Do you care about him?” she asks softly.

When I look into her eyes, I know I can’t lie. Tears blur my vision then spill over my lids. “I love him.”

A tear escapes her own eyes as she stares at me. “Don't give up on him.”

I nod my head. I won’t…if he doesn’t give up on me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Eric

This inability to focus on my work is getting old. I don’t know what the hell has changed, but it’s starting to piss me off. I like my job. I should be able to focus. I shouldn’t be looking at the clock wondering why it’s going painstakingly slow.

I wonder what Mia is doing. She’s been getting on her laptop more often now as she tries to manage some of her workload from here.

I know she’s starting to go a bit stir crazy in the house. It’s only a matter of time before she goes home.

My body tenses at the thought of when that day will come. I don’t want to think about it. It will just make this shit day even worse. My body is wound so tight from being so damn tense all day as I battle with my own head.

I should check my security cameras again just to make sure Mia is safe. It’s become a bit of a habit for me to glance at themthroughout the day. It already has me on edge a bit to leave her home alone for so long.

I open up the app on my computer and type in the password. There are cameras in all main rooms and the entire outside perimeter. I sweep through the outside cameras first to clear all points of entry then I click through the rooms.

Everything seems clear. I am about to close out of the last camera that is in the kitchen when Mia comes into the frame. I sit up straight because she is getting herself a glass of water from the fridge—in nothing but a black bra and underwear. Her ass is barely covered by her underwear and it’s sexy as fuck.

Is this what she does all day when I’m gone? Anger surges through me as I watch her from afar knowing if I wasn’t at this damn job I would be able to be home with her.

I reach for my phone and dial her number. I watch her reach for the phone on the island and pick it up.

“Hey, you,” her voice crackles slightly. “Everything okay?”

My hand squeezes the phone as I watch her lean her arms on the island, bending over the counter.

“Not exactly,” I bite out.

“What’s wrong?” she asks softly.

“There’s a lot wrong right now. But I’d say at the top of the list is you.”

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