Page 25 of Burning for the Billionaire 8

Guilt settles in my gut. She feels like she has to stay put because of me.

“Grace...”

“Rowan.” Laughter gleams in her eyes, but I’m not in the least bit amused.

“Why aren’t you going?” I ask.

“I want to be with you during your recovery.”

“Well, I don’t want you to put your life on hold for me.”

“Can we drop this?”

“No.” I steel myself emotionally against what I’m about to do. I’ll hurt her—I’ll hurt the both of us—but I refuse to let a twenty-three-year-old let what could be an amazing opportunity slip through her fingers because she doesn’t want to leave my side. She’s young and in love, and she’s not thinking clearly.

She rolls her eyes. “I refuse to stand here and argue with you about ameetingI canceled.”

“It isn’t just a meeting. It could be monumental for your future career.”

She folds her arms defiantly. “My future will be just fine.”

“You should go to New York for a few days. Maybe take the summer internship. I think it would be better for both of us.”

Her eyebrows snap together. “I don’t understand...”

“I need space.” I almost choke on my next words. “From you.”

Her eyes go wide. “What? This again? But... I thought...” She shakes her head and glowers. “Why are you pushing me away? We’ve done this too many times already and I’m over it, Rowan.”

“Me too.”

Hurt flickers across her face, but I ignore it—difficult though it is.

“I love you and you said you love me.”

I do, and that’s why I have to give her a push in the direction of making decisions forher. I’m older. I’ve lived more than she has. It isn’t fair for her to stay put because she feels obligated to her boyfriend.

Plus, it’s obviously hard on her when my frustration turns me into a grouch. The atmosphere has been so tense around here, I don’t think I’ve seen her study once in two months.

I shrug. “You knew how I was from the beginning. I’ve never been able to settle down.”

Grace’s eyes are narrowed to slits. “I know what you’re doing.”

“Do you?”

“You’re lashing out because you’re frustrated. I’ve watched you mentally and physically struggle for months. Then, your mother shows up to add to your stress. I get it.”

Goddamnit. “You don’t get shit.”

She angles her chin upward. “I’m not leaving you.”

“I don’t want you here.”

Her determined expression crumples. “Rowan...”

“I’ve had plenty of time to think, sitting here day in and day out. We should,” I sigh because this is hard, “take a break... or end things.”

She takes a step back as if I physically struck her. However, I don’t think she’s convinced I’m serious because she’s still watching me closely.

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