Page 82 of Thiago
“Yes.”
“Well, you wanted to know you had options, and now you know you do.”
When Thiago had threatened her job during their argument about Simon, she contacted the headhunter to test the waters and see if she could find a job elsewhere, to confirm she wasn’t stuck under Thiago’s thumb.
“Yes, except Bridge Tech is persistent, though I’ve told them I’m not ready to leave my current employer. They think it’s a negotiation tactic and offered more money. They’re basically holding the job for me, and I didn’t tell you everything. The job is in Miami, Kiara.”
“Oh.” She heard full disappointment in her friend’s voice. “That sucks.”
“Yeah. So if I accepted and left Santana International, I’d have to move out of state.”
“Well, you’ve moved for a job before. You moved back here to work for Santana International, and I was happy to have my best friend back in town.”
India had been working for a South Carolina firm when she applied for the job as director of marketing, which eventually led to her role as vice president of marketing.
“If I move, I won’t see you and Josh anymore. I won’t see my babies Jayden and Josiah or my new baby on the way.”
“You won’t see your Mexican baby, either,” Kiara said pointedly.
“Him too,” India admitted in a quiet voice. “I only contacted the recruiting firm because Thiago’s asshole comment scared me and made me feel as if my position could be in jeopardy.”
“Sleeping with your boss does have drawbacks.”
India turned away from the window and started pacing again. “Our relationship is different now. We’re closer, and I’ve seen sides of him I never believed were possible. He created a wellness program, the Renew Initiative, at the company, whichthe staff appreciates. I’m fairly certain he created it because of me. He incorporated several of the methods I told him I use to keep my symptoms under control.”
“Josiah, put that down! This damn boy. Hang on, India.” Kiara put the phone on mute for a bit. “Okay, I’m back. Has Thiago told you he made those changes for you?”
“No, but I can’t think of any other reason why he would add those specific benefits.”
“So what are you saying?” Kiara asked.
“I’m saying, I’m going to talk to him and find out where his head is concerning us, and if he says what I want to hear—what I need to hear—then I’ll give Bridge Tech a final no and tell them in no uncertain terms to move on.”
If he didn’t say the right words, she couldn’t stay and face him every week. She’d had her health scare, and coupled with her mother’s death and her own precarious health, she had truly come to appreciate that tomorrow is not promised. She wanted to live life to the fullest, and for her, at this stage in her life, that meant getting married and possibly having at least one child, if she could get her lupus under control.
“Come on, Thiago, give the right answer. I need my girl to stay in Atlanta,” Kiara said.
India smiled and walked toward her bedroom. “Let me finish getting ready. I don’t know what time Thiago will be here. He said he’d arrive before midnight, and I want to be ready whenever he comes.”
“Call me tomorrow and let me know how your conversation went,” Kiara said.
“I will, and kiss my godsons for me,” India told her.
She hung up and tried to psych herself up. She had nothing to be afraid of. She and Thiago were adults and could talk candidly about their feelings and the direction of their relationship. She finished getting dressed, pulling on a pair of bottom-huggingjeans and a form-fitting blouse. She brushed her hair and added small hoop earrings before spritzing perfume on her wrists and neck.
By the time Thiago rang the doorbell, she was torn between excitement at seeing him and anxiety for the conversation they needed to have.
India opened the door wide. “You made it before midnight. You get a treat.” She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him.
He seemed stiff and didn’t kiss or hug her. When she pulled back, he barely looked at her and wasn’t smiling.
Her smile faltered.
Thiago didn’t respond to her effusive greeting, not even with his customary grunt. He stepped into the apartment with his usual elegance, but this time it was wrapped in a chill that made the room suddenly feel colder.
India quietly shut the door and watched him from the entryway for a few seconds, her chest tight and heavy.
Had something happened since they talked on the phone?
