Page 36 of Suddenly Hired

“You don’t know that.”

She didn’t want him to fight for her, to maybe lose his bonus or be fired because of her. He had his kids to think about. But if she told him that, he’d argue. He thought he could do it all—much like she did, when she got to NYC. But life turned out to be a lot more complicated. She swallowed the lump of hesitation in her parched throat. She couldn’t be the responsible for him losing his job and the freedom to do what he wanted to do—and ultimately spend more time with his kids. His sweet kids who didn’t deserve any of this. “Either way… let’s end this,” she said, pronouncing each word carefully.

He stepped toward her, a frown in his forehead. “End what? Our agreement?”

“No, I mean, us. Look, you punched your coworker for me. You’re already too invested, and this won’t end well.”

He erased the gap between them, his eyes searching for hers. “Poppy, I fucking love you. I’d punch the whole team for you.”

She touched her forehead, speechless. She felt her blood pressure drop, her entire being overwhelmed. This couldn’t happen. Him, loving her, and already eager to show it by acting like that—and jeopardizing his own goals. So many years she felt that her mom held her back in a way—and she’d hate to cause the same affliction to him. He’d been through enough already. No. She had to put a stop to that, even if the simple idea of losing him cut a bottomless pit in her soul. “Thanks but—”

He withdrew, his expression darkening. “Is that all you have to say? Thanks?”

She looked around them, thanking the gods this was New York City and not Hope Springs. A few pedestrians passed them by, unfazed by their exchange. “See, this is what I mean… I don’t think I’m ready to give you what you need from me.”

“How would you know? You never asked.”

“And that fact shows how ready I am not. I don’t want to hurt you, or the kids, Ethan,” she said, looking at him square in the eye and hoping he’d understand. Maybe not now, in the heat of the moment, but later. Later he’d understand. Hell, he might even thank her.

“Don’t say that, Poppy,” he said, and a pang of sadness worked its way in his voice.

Be strong.“I… I think we should take a break.”

“Is that because the opening night is tonight and you think I can’t offer you anything? There is a contract, Poppy, I promise you this isn’t over. Regardless of what happens to me, you have a contract. I promised you I’d look out for you. Besides, I didn’t want to make a bigger deal about it tonight, but I’m calling legal first thing. You aren’t losing.”

No… but you are. She bit her tongue. “We should cut our losses.”

“What losses? Poppy, you aren’t making any sense. I tell you I love you and you thank me, then you talk like this is over just because tonight didn’t go according to plan,” he said, and his eyes spoke of resentment.

Tears welled inside, but she willed them away. Her entire body quivered, like an instinctive reaction to what she was about to say. “Tonight is a sign, Ethan. Besides, in a way, tonight is also the end. It’s been two months. You said I wouldn’t need to nanny after tonight. And—”

“And that what it’s all about to you? God, I fell for you, Poppy. And I made a mistake.”

The air between them thickened, and she stepped back, needing more distance between them. She also took a good look at him, slowly and mentally etching every feature of him. Saying goodbye.

“I’m sorry.” At least, she’d prevent him from making new ones.

“You’re right,” he said, his voice colder than a frozen river. “We’re done.”

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