Page 49 of How to Marry the Boss

So much has happened in the last twelve hours. I’m still processing. Not only was dinner a huge success, but so was the game we played. I learned more about Mia than I anticipated. Knowing what I know now, I’m not surprised she never acted on her feelings for me. Because of a lie she was never supposed to hear, she was convinced I didn’t see her as a woman.

How did I miss the fact she had a crush on me years ago? All those times, I merely watched her and kept my distance, I never knew my feelings were mutual.

Drunk or not, I should have told her.

No. Waiting was the right call. She deserves to hear the truth when she has a clear mind. When she and I can have a lucid, honest conversation.

Even though I told myself to wait, that didn’t stop me from expressing my feelings for her in a more intimate way. I couldn’t leave her that distraught without giving her some assurance that she isn’t alone in her affections. That her desire isn’t one-sided.

I don’t regret kissing her. Every second was worth it. Having her lips under mine wasn’t merely hot; I felt like I’d come home.Her soft body against my own had me itching to tangle in the sheets with her. No barriers. Just skin on skin, melding together in the heat of passion. She was begging for release, rubbing her no-doubt soaked entrance against my hard dick. All I wanted to do was carry her to the bed and claim her as mine.

Walking away from her nearly fucking killed me. But I had to. If I’d stayed, I would have done something I wouldn’t necessarily regret, but Mia might have. She wasn’t in the right state of mind, and I want her full consent.

But now I need to get back to the apartment and tell her that my feelings for her developed when she was seventeen, and that I lied to keep the peace between her brother and me. I have to explain that everything I’ve done from the moment she came home from college was for her. Because I want her.

Before we clear the air, there’s one more thing I need to stop putting off.

I’ve already gone behind Jonathan’s back by moving in with Mia. I can’t pursue her any further without explaining my intentions. The timing isn’t optimal since I don’t know when he’ll be in range of a cell tower again, but I need this off my conscience, and I have to hope Jonathan won’t make me choose between our friendship and my heart.

Grabbing my phone, I scroll through my contacts until I find his number.

This could either go really well…or really horribly.

Taking a deep breath, I tap on his contact and hold the phone to my ear. Through four rings, I’m hoping he’ll actually pick up, but I get his voicemail. Leaving him a message isn’t my first choice, but it will have to do.

As soon as I hear the beep, I start talking. “Hey, man. Hope you’re having a good vacation with Kiera. When you get back, I need to talk to you about something important. Everything is fine with the business, so no worries there. There’s justsomething personal I want to get off my chest. Enjoy the rest of your trip.” I end the call and turn off my phone.

Relief and anxiety both flood me, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I’ve said what I can to my best friend for now. I’ll deliver the full truth face to face when he gets home. So now all that’s left is for me to tell Mia my truth.

What if she rejects me?

She’s well within her right to do so. Going into this, I knew there’d be no guarantees, not after all the times I’ve lied to get close to her. If she wants me as much as I want her, like I want to believe she does, then things will work themselves out.

Confessing my feelings to Mia could go one of two ways: she could either feel the same way and want me to be a part of her life. Or she could tell me to get lost.

I could lose everything.

If telling the truth means I lose my best friend, my career, and possibly the love of my life, so be it. I just can’t keep lying to everyone anymore—especially myself.

I grab my bag and exit the gym. The sky is the same color as this situation I’m in—gray.

As I’m settling into the driver seat of my car, my phone chimes. So soon? No, that can’t be Jonathan. After the nebulous message I left, He’d be too anxious to text back a response. He would call and demand answers.

Reluctantly, I scan the device, but the text isn’t from him. It’s from Mia.

Headed back soon? We should talk.

Damn right.

We should. I’m on my way.

No more waiting. No more hiding. She’s open to talking, and I’m all in. This is the next step. I just pray I don’t stumble…

Chapter Eighteen

Dallas, TX

Mia

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