Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75481 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
After all was said and done, the staff ushered me to the pub across the street as a final goodbye. We pushed tables together, ordered shots all around, and after offering a pretty weak toast so I didn’t get too sappy, pitchers of beer were delivered to the table as well.
Anita handed me a card signed by them all and inside was two hundred dollars toward a trip to the spa. “It was Rowan’s idea. He said you’d love it.”
Holy shit, that guy. “Thank you.” I held it to my chest like it was a national treasure as our eyes met. Had he really remembered that conversation from the fundraiser? Yeah, I supposed he did. My skin felt all warm and buzzy.
Fuck, this was harder than I thought it would be. Way harder.
Even Kendall made an appearance before she was mobbed by fans and had to make her exit. We had a surprisingly touching goodbye, I wished her well, and she made me promise to keep in touch.
The night out was fun and more my style, and watching Rowan drink anything other than wine would’ve been even more amusing had my stomach not taken a nosedive as the evening wore on to its inevitable end. It also didn’t help that I had a direct view of him across the table. It was probably why I noticed that he kept refilling his glass and was beginning to seem chattier and, dare I say it, tipsy.
I considered saying something, but that wouldn’t go over well. Besides, he was an adult and could handle himself just fine. And if not, he had a new assistant now, and she could babysit him perfectly well.
“Make sure he has a ride home,” I muttered to Beth, who was seated beside me. “I officially pass the reins to you.”
“Is he always like this?” she asked, wariness in her gaze as Rowan engaged in an animated conversation with Tony.
“Never. So maybe cut him some slack this time.”
“Will do,” she replied, then nudged my shoulder. “I only hope I can live up to your standards in his eyes.”
I smirked. “Uh, pretty sure you’ve already surpassed them. Don’t worry, you’ll be brilliant.”
When the crowd had thinned out, and only Beth, Anita, and Tony remained, along with friends who’d met them out, I decided it was time to make my exit. I hugged everyone, including Rowan, with the idea that it would be easier to say goodbye in front of others, even if he did hold on extra tight. Yeah, he was tipsy, and in any other scenario, I would relish his embrace. But fuck, it was hard enough to walk away.
I almost wanted to help him get home. Almost. But this was my opportunity to make a clean break even if my heart was splitting right then. I left without a backward glance, which killed me, but I was also proud of myself. Getting over him would be another hurdle in front of me.
Stepping out in the fresh night air, I breathed it in. Yeah, leaving the city as soon as possible was a good idea.
I got as far as the subway stairs when I heard a familiar voice.
“Wait,” Rowan said, and I froze as he approached me. “Don’t leave.”
“It’s getting late,” I replied shakily. “And I have a plane to catch in the morning.”
“No, I mean…” His voice was thick as he stumbled a little. “Don’t quit your job.”
“What?” I looked over his shoulder, hoping Beth wasn’t far behind. Thankfully, she kept her distance, standing near the pub door with a watchful eye. “You already hired Beth, and she’ll be great.”
“I need you, Shae.”
The desperation in his tone made me breathless, and I tried to temper my reaction. “What exactly do you need?”
Was this it? Was he actually going to say something meaningful about us?
“Who’ll fix my coffee just the way I like it?” he slurred.
Frustration sliced through my gut. “So that’s what this boils down to? Me doing stuff for you?” I clenched my fist. “Don’t worry. Beth is awesome, and you need what she has to offer. Just don’t do something stupid to scare her away.”
I glanced toward the stairs.
“That’s not what I mean. My words are coming out all fuzzy…like I’ve got little woolen sweaters on my teeth. The itchy kind with low-quality fabric.”
I tried to hide my smirk. Only he would use a fashion analogy for intoxication.
“That’s because you’re drunk, and you’ll likely regret this outburst in the morning.”
“Maybe…maybe not.” He plopped down on the nearest bench and placed his face in his hands.
“Ro, listen.” I squatted down near his knees and lowered my voice. “Nothing would change if I stayed. We’d just go on endlessly like this, me wishing something could be different, and I’m not sure I can stomach it anymore.”
He lifted his head to look at me. “I told you this had to end because it’s the right thing to do. People would talk, would say you got this job because you’re sleeping with me. Plenty of others have tried to get stuff from me, and I don’t want anyone to think that way about you.”