Page 4 of Begin Again, Part 2

Eden smiled and nodded because there wasn't much she could add to this line of conversation. So for ten minutes, she forced herself to focus on Liam's speech as he paid a beautiful tribute to his assistant. She could see why half the women in the building would drop their panties for him at a drop of a hat if he asked. He had charm and charisma to boot, and he knew how to keep the small crowd enthralled as he recounted some of his and Gibby's adventures and shared a few anecdotes from their two-year relationship.

"You were more than an assistant. You were my friend, my confidante and my second mom," he said, closing his speech. "I'm going to miss you so desperately. But I hope you and Joseph will be happy down at the Coast. I wish you well in your retirement."

Gibby came up to the front of the room, and they exchanged a long hug, both very distraught. Clara handed them a box of Kleenex someone had the sense to bring along.

His emotions in check again, Liam raised his glass, and everyone joined him in his final toast. "To Gibby. May your retirement be your best adventure yet."

Soon after that, the party broke up into smaller groups. Liam and the other executives had to rush off to a last-minute board meeting.

As Liam's main assistant now, Clara also had to leave, so Eden found herself in a room full of people she didn't know, reminded again that she didn't belong here and had no business masquerading as an assistant.

In a way, she always knew her stay at Anderson Logistics wouldn't be long, and maybe that was why she never went out of her way to make friends. But now, hiding in her little corner, looking like the wallflower that she was, feeling like an outsider looking in, she wished she'd made an effort.

"It's not too late, you know," Gibby said from behind her, drawing her out of her pity party.

"For what?" Eden asked with a small smile.

"To start thinking about making this job your career. I know you took the job because I convinced you Liam needed you."

"I took the job because I missed him," Eden corrected her. There was no need to pretend anymore or keep making silly excuses for jumping headlong into the fire when she knew it was a terrible idea. "You didn't force me. I'm here because I chose to be here."

"The question is, will you stay?" Gibby asked. "Is this something you see yourself doing for the next two, maybe five years?"

Her question caught Eden off guard. She wasn't like Cassandra and Sienna. She didn't have five and ten-year plans. But now, maybe she should start making long-term plans. She always said she'd stay at Anderson Logistics for as long as Liam needed her. Since he had already told her he didn't need her, maybe it was time for her to make her exit.

"You don't have to answer me." Gibby let her off the hook. "But there's a lot of growth within the company. You could explore other areas that might be of interest to you."

"I don't know," Eden murmured, suddenly feeling unsure about her future at the company. This wasn't her farewell party or the end of an era for her. But why did she feel like she had arrived at a crossroads and was about to turn a page in her own book and embark on a new chapter?

"While you decide, hang on to this," Gibby said as she looked through her bag and fished out a black leather-bound journal with 'Y.G.'—her initials—engraved on the front.

"What's this?" Eden asked, paging through the book, at the incredibly detailed, neatly scrawled notes on Liam—from what he liked to drink, to how he wanted his clothes folded and packed for travel.

"It will help you in your first few days in the CEO's office," Gibby replied.

"Shouldn't you give it to Clara since she's his assistant?"

Gibby winked at her. "I have a feeling you'll need it more than her."

She squeezed her on the shoulder, took a long sip from her champagne flute, slammed it on the messy table piled high with used plates, glasses and cutlery, and strolled to the door.

Eden watched her make her way out of the restaurant, each step taking her closer to the start of something new, and she couldn't help but sigh wistfully, wishing it was her walking towards her dreams.

She adored Liam and loved being close to him at work. But she wasn't fulfilled and challenged in her role. Sitting behind her office desk, typing up reports and PowerPoint presentations, killed her a little every day. Maybe it was time she returned to her first love.

Chapter

Two

LIKE A WOUND

Over the next few weeks, following the burning of the trucks, Liam threw himself into his work with newfound vigour and determination, spurred on by his relentless guilt and grief over losing his drivers. When he wasn't hounding the detectives over the lack of progress on the case, he was on the second floor with the security team, monitoring all their freight trucks throughout the country in real-time over a satellite feed. Ellie, the head of the area, was happy to have him on board for the first week, but nicely asked him not to return the following week. Her guys worked better when they were at ease, and they couldn't relax with him constantly hovering over their shoulders, barking instructions.

With too many fires to put out, Liam didn't want to waste energy arguing with her. There were many ways to skin a cat. He asked the technology team to set up a live feed on his laptop, where he could tap in from the comfort of his office.

His therapist called him when he failed to show up for a few sessions. Linda had seen the news reports and press conference, and had heard from Eden that his senior assistant had recently retired. She was deeply concerned that he was going through too many changes, trying to take on too much, and neglecting to deal with his loss and grief.

"Do you want to come in one of the days? I can make time for you," she offered in her calm, monotone voice.

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