Page 56 of Scandalous Secrets

“It was heaven.”

“So, what happened?”

I filled her in on the romantic getaway and meeting his sister and how everything had seemed perfect. More than perfect. But then I told her what happened Monday morning when we were back at work.

“What a dick,” she said heatedly as she shook her head.

“He’s not a dick.”

“Well, he’s acting like one. And you have no idea why?”

“Maybe he got bored of me.” I shrugged.

“No one could get bored of you.”

“He did have a meeting with his dad right when he arrived to the office…” I said thoughtfully. “I couldn’t hear what they were talking about, but I heard raised voices.”

“Well, maybe that’s it. He just had a bad day.”

“But to shut me out for an entire week?” I frowned.

“Do you think his dad knows?” she asked, sipping her wine.

“If he did, I’m sure I would be fired.”

“Hmmm…” said Heart as she tried to rack her brain for answers, just like I had been.

I popped a piece of yellowtail and jalapeno in my mouth before shrugging.

“Maybe I should find a new place to work. It’s just the money is so good.”

Heart mused for a second as she swirled the red wine in her glass.

“Or…” she started.

“What?” I asked, raising a brow.

“You could get back to writing. I know your fan base probably misses you.Imiss you. Doing what you love.”

I looked down at my hands and thought about what she said. It was what I had been thinking all week as I wondered if this personal assistant job was the right thing for me. But I was scared. Terrified even. I couldn’t stand to let down my loyal readers again, even though it felt like the weeks I had spent with Troy had given me enough material for a whole damn series. Except I would have to make up a happy ending.

Deep down, I worried that I had experienced a slice of life that I could never get back again. He had given me everything and ripped it all away. How could I possibly write a happy ending when my heart was breaking?

Plus, writing brought up memories of being stalked at the coffee shop when I was lost in writing on my laptop, not aware that someone dangerous was lurking just on the other side of the street. Being out of the spotlight for the past six months has felt safe, like no one could find me if they didn’t know I existed anymore.

Heart reached for my hand on my lap and gave it a squeeze.

“Think about it, okay?” she asked softly.

I nodded, even though deep down I was already pushing the idea away.

Chapter 26

Troy

After a hellish work week of trying to prove that I took my job seriously to appease my father and the watchful eye of his in-office spy, and giving Monica the cold shoulder, I spent the weekend holed up in my apartment with a bottle of bourbon and the silence as a reminder that I was once again alone. In reality, I hadn’t been giving Monica the cold shoulder. I had put up a barricade of icy walls that she had given up trying to break down the moment I had sent her out of my office.

Had I really expected her to keep trying after I had been such an asshole? She was a strong woman and I knew that. I loved that about her. Maybe she would understand if she knew the whole story, but I hadn’t completely opened up to her. She knew nothing that was going on with my father or the threats against me and my firm. I spent most of the week wondering if losing her was worth keeping this job.

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