Page 38 of Christian Clause

“What am I going to do?” I question, chewing on my bottom lip.

Debra offers me a smile. “I knew you were in love with him when you didn’t want to talk about him. You wanted to keep the blissful feeling to yourself.”

I let out breath. “Please, Deb, don’t start. I’m at a crossroads here.”

She frowns. “I don’t see why.”

“Do I quit or do I continue to work for him? I’m afraid of being hurt, Deb.”

Her frown thickens. “Why do you think he’ll hurt you? From what I heard of Clause, he doesn’t date his employees. You’re the first.” She shrugs. “Unless those others were in secret, but I don’t think so as it would have gotten out.” She reaches out and takes my hand on the counter. “Just because Terrance hurt you doesn’t mean every man is out to do the same.”

I shake my head. “It’s not that simple, Deb. There’s another woman.”

“What?”

I tell her about Katherine and why I feel insecure about her.

My sister frowns. “You know Christian won’t purposely hurt you, right?”

I shrug.

Her eyes narrow. “Did something happen between you two after the trip?”

“Sort of, but it’s complicated.” I release a weary sigh. “I think there’s more between him and Katherine than he’s telling me. I found her all over him in his office. And they went out together again today.”

Debra scoffs. “Fuck Katherine. I don’t see the problem. Christian is single and you are single, so what’s stopping you from telling him how you really feel about him?”

My lips part with surprise for a moment until I remember my sister had taken the bull by the horns and told Ray her feelings before he did.

I don’t think I’m that brave. Lowering my head, I whisper, “I don’t want to be rejected.”

“Oh, Hope.”

“I don’t want a repeat of what happened with Terrance,” I truthfully admit.

Debra squeezes my hand. “I understand, but please stop doubting yourself, Hope. What makes you think Christian will reject you?”

I don’t know why I suddenly become teary-eyed. Meeting Christian and falling in love with him has turned me maudlin.

“You’re beautiful, smart, and classy,” Deb tells me with a bright smile on her face. Then she whistles. “And you’ve got a body I wish I had. You’re thick in all the right places.”

I smile through my tears. Debra has always wished she had my curvy figure.

Shaking my hand, she says, “I’m not just saying all this because you’re my baby sis. It’s the truth. You’re a strong, gorgeous woman any man would be proud to call his own.”

“Thank you,” I reply, feeling my face flush. I have never learned to do well with flattery.

“Tomorrow, when you get to the office, lay your cards on the table. Tell him no more sneaking around. If he wants to date you, he has to do it publicly. And you need to know if this Katherine will be in his life forever. If she is, then a line needs to be drawn about her touching him. However, don’t make him choose between his so-called old friend and you. Men don’t like that.”

I nod, happy to have finally shared my misgivings with her. I’m so relieved I rise and go around the counter to throw my arms around her.

Pulling away, I smile. “I’m so sorry for not telling you what was going on with Christian.”

She chuckles. “You think I didn’t know?”

Laughter rumbles from my throat. “I was afraid you would frown at me dating my boss.”

Debra smiles. “Why would I do that when I see the effect Christian has on you? You came back to Cedar Crest looking as if your world has crumbled. About a week into working with Christian, your whole demeanor changed. It was as if you finally had a purpose in life again. And then you started glowing and didn’t want to say anything. So, I knew something was going on.”

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