Page 48 of Unlocking my Boss's Heart

“Do you trust me?” I asked. The look that flashed through her eyes told me she didn’t. Not completely, in any case. And why should she? We’d known each other for less than three months!That realization hit me hard. So, I quickly added, “Alright, if not trust, then will you at least give me the benefit of the doubt? Hear my side?”

She nodded slowly, releasing a heavy sigh. “Sure, tell me.”

I placed a hand on her cheek. “I’ve been nothing but honest with you, Celia. I would never intentionally hurt you.” The words, unspoken yet resounding within me, jolted my heart.

She seemed relaxed, her shoulders easing as she leaned in.

“I believe you,” she said at last.

A wave of relief surged through my veins, the tension of the last few days slowly fading away. I gently lifted her chin and kissed her softly on her lips again, telling her with action that we would figure this out, that she would stay in my life. She pressed herself closer, melting into me, clutching the front of my shirt. It took all my restraint not to let my hands explore her curves.

“Shall we leave this place and head back to Maddison’s?” I suggested after we ended another heart-pounding kiss.

She glanced around the run-down motel room. “What do you mean? It’s not so bad,” she countered, though her tone lacked convincing.

“Right. And I’m King Midas,” I replied sarcastically, relieved that our banter was returning.

“Well, you kind ofareKing Midas, so I’m not sure that analogy works.” She chuckled, and I realized how much I’d missed that sound the last few days.

“Come on. I’ll help you pack,” I said, releasing her. But before she could move away, another thought hit me. I grabbed her hand, pulling her back against my chest. “And you’re not quitting your job,” I added firmly, tucking a stray tendril of her soft curls behind her ear. “I won’t allow that.”

She bit her lip and nodded.

I buried my face in her neck, overwhelmed by a blend of relief and profound gratitude. The scent of her hair sparked adeep nostalgia, joy mingling with awareness that she made me vulnerable. This was the first relationship that brought out the fear of losing someone, not family. With every breath I took, I wanted to engrave her scent in my memory. There was hope for a long-term relationship in me now that I hadn’t had before.

Was this what commitment felt like?

Chapter seventeen

Celia

Ireturned to Maddison’s apartment and apologized with a long hug for worrying her, even though I’d texted her several times the last three days to let her know I was okay. She pulled back and held me at arm’s length.

“You know I like to tease you,” she began. “Since seeing Anton here, I thought a relationship outside of work might blossom between you two. I know you—smart, well-grounded—and I know him from the media, with all the hype surrounding who he is. It seemed like the perfect recipe for a couple.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t know what happened, but I’m sorry if I pushed you too hard.”

“It’s not your fault….” I sat back to face her. “Hearing about Reeva’s pregnancy from Anton’s conversation with his brother left me confused. I saw Anton every day, and he didn’t mention it. I felt like I was being lied to. And adding that to the office romance, which was already making me anxious…I needed to get a grip.

“I needed space to figure out my whirlwind of feelings. They were overwhelming, and I believed that if I wanted to keep my focus on becoming a top lawyer, I couldn’t work in the same office with Anton. So, I wrote my resignation letter.”

“Life around the elite New Yorkers—people like Anton and Reeva—presents challenges far different from dating the guy next door,” Maddison said after a moment of reflection.

I nodded.

“But Celia, you only heard pieces of a conversation, not the full story.”

“I can see that now, but in the moment, logic went out the window. What would you have done if you were in my shoes?”

Maddison didn’t answer directly. Instead, she said, “If he promised you that he wants you in his life, give it a chance and trust him. He’s never broken a promise to you before, has he?”

“We’ve known each other for less than three months and dated for about that long. It’s daunting to trust so deeply when there are obstacles, like you mentioned. There’s our background, working together, and now a baby…. I feared more heartache.”

I rested my head on her shoulder and sighed as she asked, “Have you spoken to him about any of this?”

I shook my head.

“Well, you should. You won’t find peace until you do,” Maddison advised, her arms around me.

“I hope you’re right, Maddy. I really do.”

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