Page 77 of The Bombshell and the Bodyguard
I could hardly believe my ears. But then why should I be shocked? It was just more of the same indifference he’d shown me all our lives.
I’d been a fool to think a few weeks alone together would change things.
The tears spilled over, and I unbuckled my seat belt, standing to move to the opposite side of the jet’s cabin.
“Yes. You have. And that won’t be necessary. You’re fired. I’ll hire my own security.”
He shot me a pleading look. “Jessica...”
“I’m serious Wilder. I can’t take it anymore. I’ve wasted too much of my life wanting you, and it’s obvious I need to stop. So please... don’t call me. Don’t text ‘just to check up’ on me. Don’t drop by. I don’t ever want to see your face again. If you want to see me... you can buy a ticket like everyone else.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Distraction
Wilder
I flung the empty gel pen across my office. It struck the large dry erase board with a crack and a metallic ping before falling to the floor in two pieces.
Roughly yanking open my desk drawer, I rummaged through it for a fresh pen, slamming my hand on the desktop when I failed to locate one. I jammed my thumb against the intercom button connecting me to my secretary.
“What do I have to do to get a working pen around here?” I barked.
Kiara responded immediately. “I’ll get some from the supply closet and be right in.”
Two minutes later, Gray came into my office with a handful of writing instruments.
He fanned them out like a deck of cards. “One of every shade,” he said.
Taking in my scowl, he dropped his own smile and laid the pens on the desk. “What’s going on, boss?”
“Nothing. I’m just trying to get this paperwork done, and I can’t find a fucking pen that works, that’s all.”
“Okay well, I get that. It’s just...” Gray rubbed his face, clearly reluctant to continue.
“What?” I growled.
“It’s not like you to get upset over the small things, you know? You haven’t been acting like yourself since you got back. Kiara asked me to bring you the pens because she was literally afraid to come in here. She’s convinced you’re about to fire her.”
He paused. “Look, I know Jessica was scheduled to fly out to Venice this morning. Want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. It’s over. I’m fine. I just want to get back to life as usual.”
Gray nodded slowly and backed toward the door as I returned my focus to the papers in front of me. “Okay then. If you change your mind... you know where to find me.”
When he reached the door, Gray didn’t leave but paused in the opening. “I’ll just say one more thing. The life you had before? It wasn’t all that hot.”
My head whipped up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Gray held his hands out in front of him in a don’t-shoot-me gesture. “I’m just sayin’... your ‘life as usual’ kinda sucked. Yeah, you had a successful business and plenty of money, but other than a few friends like me and Hap and Sully Reece, you had no personal life. The job’s not gonna keep you warm at night and give you children and keep you company in your old age. Ajobdoesn’t make life worth living.”
“I don’t see you settling down and getting married,” I snarled.
“Hey, I’m trying. It’s not easy to find the right girl. The problem with you is—you already have. You just won’t man up and be with her. If you ask me, you ought to get on a plane and get yourself out to Italy before she gives up on you altogether.”
Somehow my glare didn’t turn my friend into a column of ash.
“Ididn’task you. Don’t you have a project to take care of? Or have you decided to go into full-time couples therapy?”
