Page 25 of Save Me the Trouble
“No. He asked Diane to tell me the truth about Aleta, which disproved everything she told all of us before she left.” I knew I shouldn’t be telling her, and I wouldn’t go into the specifics, but I trusted Darcy to be discreet.
“So, you’re still working on his profile?”
My mouth opened and shut. “I think so.”
“So, you have to go back and see him?”
“More than see him at this point,” I murmured. “I owe him the world’s biggest apology.” I sighed and picked up the last magazine, theSeattle Social.A flyer slid out from the pages.An advertisement for a nature photography exhibit at the Frye Museum.
I sucked in a breath and sat back.
“What is it?” Darcy leaned over to look. “The museum?”
The photography.
“I think I just found how I’m going to get back in his good graces.”
I didn’t know if it was a good or bad sign that when I called over to Crown Industries to schedule another time to meet with Killian, the receptionist gave me a time for this afternoon.Almost as though he’d anticipated my call and instructed that I was to be seen immediately.
I let out a slow breath, watching the elevator tree bring me up to the top floor of his building. I checked my bag for the tenth time, confirming that the tickets to the pre-opening private viewing of the photography exhibit were still there.
My olive branch.
On the one hand, it felt silly to buy tickets for a man who could buy out the entire museum. But on the other hand, it wasn’t about the money; it was that he’d never take the time for himself.
One of the true things I’d learned about Killian Crown in the last week.
My apology was well-rehearsed, but when I stepped onto his floor and the elevator closed behind me, it seemed to take with it all my well-crafted words.
I’m so sorry, Mr. Crown, for my groundless accusations—no.
Mr. Crown, I’d like to apologize for my inappropriate outburst—no.
“Ms. Johnson.” The receptionist gave me a tight smile. “You can head right in.”
It was a good thing she said it because my feet weren’t stopping. They carried me to his office, and when I saw him seated at his desk, my heart skipped a beat.
Killian, please forgive me.
His shadowed expression was focused on the papers in front of him until I crossed the threshold of the room. Then, as though there were some tripwire I’d activated, his attention snapped up. Hot eyes roamed over me for an instant before he detached all sentiment from his regard.
“Miss Johnson.” He stood as I approached.
“Mr. Crown,” I greeted softly when I reached the desk. “I owe you an apology.”
His jaw tensed, but he didn’t say a word. I guessed silence was as close as I’d get for permission to continue.
“I didn’t realize…I thought I knew what happened with Aleta, and clearly, I couldn’t have been more wrong,” I admitted, the words coming faster now. “I jumped to conclusions, and I wasn’t…thinking.”Because I was panicking because we’d kissed.“I’m truly sorry, and if you don’t want to work with me anymore, I completely understand?—”
“No.” The word fell like a gavel. “I only want to work with you.”
My mouth parted, butterflies trembling in my stomach.Only me.It was a delicious—dangerous,it was a dangerous thought.
“It’s okay, Mr. Crown, I can hand off your profile?—”
“Grace.”
I stilled.
