Page 43 of The CEO's Sweetheart Deal
Her admission catches me by surprise. "Did you ever think about reaching out?"
She shakes her head. "I was too hurt at first. Then too proud. Then it just seemed like too much time had passed."
"I thought about calling you," I confess. "So many times. Especially in the early days when everything was taking off. I wanted to share it with you, to tell you that all those crazy dreams we had in college weren't so crazy after all."
"Why didn't you?"
I consider my answer carefully. "I guess I was afraid you'd think I was rubbing my success in your face. Or worse, that you wouldn't care at all."
Alice looks at me thoughtfully. "I would have cared," she says softly. “Even though I was hurt.”
The simple statement lands like a stone in still water, rippling through me. Before I can respond, she stands up, smoothing down her skirt.
"We should probably head back," she says. "We've got dinner reservations, right? And I want to freshen up first."
I nod, rising to my feet. "Right. Of course."
As we walk back toward the main street to call a car, I feel something has shifted between us. Not dramatically — we're still people with twelve years of distance and hurt between us — but meaningfully. Like a door that's been firmly shut for years has now been left slightly ajar.
"Oscar?" She says as we reach the street corner.
"Hmm?"
"Thanks for listening. About the job offer and… everything else."
"Thanks for telling me," I reply. "And Alice?"
"Yes?"
"I'm really glad I’m growing on you," I say, echoing her words from earlier. "Makes working together a lot more enjoyable."
She rolls her eyes, but she's smiling. "Don't push it, buddy."
CHAPTER 18
ALICE
The San Diego night wraps around us like a warm blanket as we leave the restaurant. My heels click against the sidewalk, and I catch Oscar glancing at me whenever he thinks I'm not looking. The factory visit today went better than I expected — we were actually on the same page for once, both excited about the possibilities the space offers for Rooted Pantry's expansion.
"Not too much farther to the hotel," Oscar says, his voice gentle in the evening air. The streetlights cast soft shadows across his face, highlighting the strong line of his jaw. He looks good tonight — too good, if I'm being honest with myself.
"I'm not complaining about the walk," I reply. "After that meal, I need it."
"You know," he says, slowing his pace, "I don't think I've stepped away from work like this in… I can't even remember how long."
I raise an eyebrow. "Oh, you don’t take vacations?” I ask dryly. “Why am I not surprised?”
"Not real ones." He shoves his hands in his pockets, looking suddenly vulnerable. "When you're building an empire, it's hard to justify downtime."
"And yet here you are in San Diego, seemingly in no rush to fly back. I mean, we could have gone home today."
“Did you want to?”
I hesitate, not sure I want to admit the truth. However, it naturally slips from my tongue. “No. I like this. It’s a break from everything.”
“Maybe we both needed this.”
“Maybe,” I say, not brave enough to look at him.
