Page 44 of Stood Up
Aiden looks to me. “Do you want her?”
“No Aiden.”
She turns back to Elizabeth. “And…”
“And we have a history that can’t be denied.” Elizabeth fires back.
“A long time ago.” I interject.
“And I’m his future. You see that door, go and don’t come back.”
“Go Elizabeth,” I order.
“You know our fathers want us to be together.”
To this I laugh. “No, our fathers didn’t. They wanted us to be happy and that’s not with us together. You’ve known this for years. You’re married Elizabeth. I could never trust you.”
When I say the last words, Elizabeth flinches and tears well in her eyes. Trust has always been difficult for Elizabeth, but it’s of her own making, nothing to do with me.
“You could.” She whispers.
“Elizabeth, no I couldn’t. I didn’t when we were kids and I still don’t. You’re here out of a favor for my father, but after today, you’re done.”
Surprise and shock hit her hard. “You can’t fire me.”
“We’ll take it up with HR tomorrow.”
“I’ll sue you.” She says quickly.
“For what exactly?” Aiden asks. “For telling you he doesn’t want to be with you? For not taking your advances? This is on you, not him.”
“Aiden, you can’t. Our fathers will be angry.” She tries.
“That may be, but I’m done Elizabeth. I’d thought you’d get the point when you showed up uninvited to my home. Now you come to my office with this. I won’t work like this.”
“I love you Mason.”
The words are like acid in my veins. Elizabeth wouldn’t know what love was if it smacked her upside the head.
“No, you don’t. This is over Elizabeth. We’ll discuss this with HR tomorrow.”
Her face turns stony. “Don’t waste your time. I’ll pack my things. If you want her, then you’re not worth my time.”
I say nothing because I just want her to get the hell out of here.
After she sneers at Aiden, who gives her a little wave goodbye, she leaves and I pull Aiden in my arms.
“I wasn’t doing anything Aiden.”
Her arms come around my middle and she gives me a squeeze. She pulls away slightly and looks up at me.
“I trust you Mason.”
Those words are almost as good as hearing her tell me she loves me. I kiss her hard and deep. Then show her how much those words mean to me.
