Page 32 of The Widower
Isabelle’s already getting on my nerves and it’s not even noon.
Even though she works at my mansion, I couldn’t find her, so I called her cell. It just rang and rang…
I heard another phone buzzing the other way and quickly moved toward the sound. The closer I got, the louder it got, and when I reached the source I saw Isabelle’s phone sitting on the coffee table.
There was no way a phone like that would go unnoticed—especially with all the decorations on it.
It was all pink, loaded with dangling charms, an eye-catching case—woman-stuff, in a word.
I knew it was hers, but I stepped closer to be sure. When I saw the lock screen…
Isabelle, Isabelle…
Her contact was saved as “arrogant jerk boss.” She’s got a sense of humor—and she tells it like it is.
“Sorry.” A voice came from right behind me; she grabbed the phone off the table, clearly startled.
“Are you apologizing for not answering me or for saving my number under that name?” I teased.
She stared at me for a few seconds, then opened her mouth like she was going to say something—then shut it again.I figured she might insult me or something along those lines.
“For not being there when you needed me,” she said at last. “What do you need?” she added, changing the subject.
“You’re free to take Joshua to school. Don’t screw it up and do your job properly.”
“Okay. Anything else?” She held my gaze.
She seemed different—I couldn’t tell why—but beyond the safe distance we kept from each other, Isabelle barely looked me in the eye.
“No, that’s it.”
I know this has to do with our last conversation, when I threatened to fire her if we crossed that line again, sexually speaking. I know I’m a bastard for saying it and I’m wrong to threaten her like that, but keeping her in check like this will make her hold back—and force me to do the same.
I really need that. Our closeness is dangerous—for both of us.
ISABELLE CAMPBELL
I need to stay away from Colin at all costs.His presence isn’t good for me. There’s just one small problem—I work for him.
I don’t know what my heart’s trying to tell me. I’m a woman who gets tangled up in her own emotions, and half the time I can’t even make sense of what’s going on in my head. I’ll probably change my mind eventually anyway.
I’ve been in love once. Just once.
That sounds sad, doesn’t it? It probably is—to fall in love only once in your life and have the man you cared for just walk away. But I can’t keep reliving it. I don’t need to, and I don’t want to.
“Colin gave me permission to take Joshua to school. That’s a good sign, right, Helen?” I asked while we were having afternoon coffee.
Lately, I’d grown really close to her—we talked about just about everything every day. The only topic I avoided was Colin. I didn’t want any more tension with him, and I wasn’t sure if he’d be mad at Helen for talking about him behind his back.
“Yes,” she said with a soft smile.
For a moment, I just stared at the kitchen, my gaze unfocused.I get lost in my head sometimes, thinking about random things. That’s normal for me.
My normal.
“You don’t seem happy. Did something happen?” she asked, and I hesitated, not sure how to explain what had been eating at me these past few days.
“I’m scared,” I finally admitted, meeting her eyes but forcing a faint smile. “The stories about the women who used to work here—they make me uneasy. And the thought of losing such a good job... it keeps me on edge about everything. Absolutely everything.”
