Page 56 of (Un)Planned

Theo stepped back, covering his mouth with his hand. I glanced up at him, unable to hide the hurt in my eyes. “So you were planning on getting rid of me?”

“What?” he snapped. “Of course not, Calla. It wasn’t like that.”

“So explain it to me.” I slid back in my chair, pushing so I could stand to meet his gaze. There was a lot of conflict brewing in his stormy expression, yet I couldn’t latch onto a single emotion. Not that I really cared. I was too angry, too hurt, to worry about his feelings over mine. “Because it sure as hell sounds like you were.”

Theo cursed under his breath, then turned back toward me, “Jack and I were talking a while ago, trying to figure out how we could keep seeing each other and both keep our jobs. He threw out the suggestion, and I didn’t shut him down.”

I wasn’t going to think about the fact that he’d told Jack about us. There were more pressing things to worry about. “Why? Why would you even entertain that idea?”

“Because it made sense!” Theo snapped. “This was not some devious plan to get you out of my life, Calla. It was to give you a more permanent place in it! There’s no way we can keep going this way. It fucking kills me to see you here and not be able to hold you, to kiss you whenever I want. You know how hard it was to watch you come down here upset and know that I had to bide my time to go to you? I wanted to fucking leave in the middle of a goddamn meeting with the men who hold my fate in their hands.” He turned to look at me. “We’ve always known there was goingto be a moment, one when we’d have to choose. I choose you, Calla. I will every fucking time. Because I’d rather have you at my side as my partner than as my assistant.”

“Oh,” I said, all my anger deflating at his words.

“Yeah,oh. But I was a coward. Every time I tried to bring it up, I imagined being here without you, and it hurt. I love working with you, Calla. I love the life you’ve brought into my office. So I kept things going the way they were, holding onto this moment for a little bit longer.” He stepped forward, placing his hand on the back of my neck, using his thumb to tilt my chin up to meet his gaze. “I am sorry for that. But know this: I never would have made the final call before talking with you. You’ll always have a place here, one of your choosing, for as long as you want it.”

I chewed on my lower lip, debating his words. As much as I loved working in this office, it was also a placeholder for my real goals. I’d invested so much in Theo because I believed in him, because we were a great team. Did I want to see if I could find that dynamic with someone else?

No.

“I don’t want that.” I placed my hand on top of his. “I think we both know that the reason this job works for me is because of us. Otherwise, it’s given me a convenient excuse to delay finding out what I really want to do.” I paused, looking up to search his gaze. “And it’s probably time for me to figure that out.”

Theo sighed, pulling me into his embrace. His hands clenched my back, and an immediate sense of rightness washed over me. This was meant to happen. We both knew it, and as much as it would sting to not see him every day, there were better things ahead of us.

“Everything you’re saying makes complete sense. I can’t lie and say I haven’t had the same thoughts myself.” Theopulled back, brushing my hair away from my face. “But when I think of walking into that office and not seeing your face, I don’t want to go back either.”

I laughed, placing my hands on his chest. “You’ve worked too hard to walk away now, Theo, not when you’re so close to becoming a partner.” I lifted up to my toes, kissing him softly. “And yes, it’ll be hard not to be there for you, but I’ll give you most of my nights, and then we can share our days like a normal couple.”

“I do like the sound of you being here when I get home every night.” He tightened his hold on me. He nodded. “Fine. As much as I hate it, I’ll see if I can help you find something else. But I need one favor.”

“Of course.”

“Wait until after the partners leave. It’ll be enough stress with them looking over my every move. I don’t want to have to worry about having to train a new assistant.”

“You got it, Sunshine.” I smirked up at him. “I have a condition of my own.”

“Anything.”

“After I leave, you need to take me on a real date. I mean dinner, drinks, the works.”

Theo chuckled, lifting me into his arms. “Beautiful, do you know how long I’ve been waiting to show you off? I’m counting down the minutes until I can tell everyone you’re mine.”

THIRTY-THREE

“This is a huge mistake.”

Calla glared at her reflection in the mirror, staring at her half-made-up face. The mascara wand was still in her hand as she stormed back into her bedroom, rooting through her closet for the tenth time this evening.

I laid back on her bed, watching as she ripped dress after dress off the hangers. I’d tried to intervene earlier, and all it earned me was a scowl. I quickly learned that my role tonight was a supporting one, only muttering compliments when she asked me what I thought of her new outfit. That was easy, because she always looked gorgeous to me.

Calla sighed, placing her hands on her hips. I slipped off her bed, twisting her so that she’d face me instead of the offending mirror. She sighed as she relaxed against my chest. “I know I’m being ridiculous, but this feels like one of those scenes in a horror movie when the whole audience is screaming, ‘don’t go in there’, and the dumb character does it anyway.” She pointed to herself. “Dumb idiot screaming ‘who’s there?’ in the pitch-black basement.” She groanedas she dropped her forehead to my chest. “Why did I think this was a good idea?”

In truth, I had no idea. When Calla told me earlier in the week that she’d decided to attend dinner with her family, I immediately wanted to tell her no—to keep her away from their hurtful words and judgments a little longer. But the more she talked about it, the more it made sense. It wasn’t for her mother or stepfather; it was for her—a final chance to see if she wanted them in our lives moving forward.

As much as I hated it, I respected her choice. I was just pissed I couldn’t go with her.

Today marked day three of the partners’ visit, and everything had been going smoothly so far. Everyone, even the founding partners, seemed impressed by how much we’d accomplished in such a short amount of time. There was even chatter that they’d be naming a new partner before they left in two days. The general assumption was that it was going to me, but I refused to believe anything until it was definite.

Unfortunately, tonight, I was expected to play host at a dinner and a play, which so happened to collide with Calla’s family gathering.

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