Page 95 of The Ice Queen in the Corner Office

“Of course not. No woman laughs at a marriage proposal if she actually wants to get married.”

“So, I shouldn’t expect to see Anthony at the next family dinner?”

She stopped and faced me. “That’s just it. I laughed at his proposal, and he thinks I need more time. He wants to keep dating, and I agreed because I felt bad about turning him down.”

“Well, I—”

“And because he’s the sensible choice.”

“How—”

“I mean so what if he doesn’t make me light up when he touches me? So what if I find his voice a bit nasally and irritating? At least he wants me. He supports my art and he’s sensible. You know? He’s the type of guy a silly, flighty, spoiled woman like me needs to keep my feet on the ground and-”

I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in for a tight hug. “You’re not silly, or flighty, or spoiled.” I stepped away and gripped her shoulders. “When I wasn’t paying attention, sweetie, you grew up. I should have said this a long time ago, but I’m proud of you.”

Her eyes shown, and she chewed her lower lip again. “But I’ve always been such a pain in your ass.”

I laughed. “The most wonderful pain in my ass. I love you, honey, and I don’t ever want you to change. You were flighty because you hadn’t found your calling. Now, I look at you and I see a strong, talented, capable woman who should never settle for a guy just because she thinks he can fix something in her that isn’t the least bit broken.”

“I only look capable and strong on the outside,” she said, her voice low like she was sharing a secret. “I’ve considered giving my photos away for free. Anthony was the one who convinced me not to.”

“Wanting to share your art freely makes you a kind, giving person. And that doesn’t need to change. Okay?”

She nodded.

“Just call me the next time you have the urge to give away your work.”

She swiped at a tear sliding down her cheek. “God, look at me. You’re here less than a week and I’m dumping on you about my problems. Again.”

I looked up at the sky, needing to be honest with her and with myself. “I’m glad you are. I’ll be heartbroken if a day ever comes that you go to anyone else with your problems.”

She gave me a small smile. “As long as you tell me all about your problems, too.”

“Deal.”

I pulled her in for another long hug and we walked back to the house together.

***

“What the hell are you doing here?”

I looked up to see Alex standing in the doorway to my office. There were dark circles under his eyes and his hair was a mess, but he was still so painfully gorgeous my mouth went dry and my heart skipped a beat. I kept everything I was feeling behind my mask and gave him a practiced smile. “I’m working.”

“I told you to stay in Virginia until after the holiday.”

The nerve of this guy. I wanted to rage against him, tell him to go to hell, but that wouldn’t be professional, and I was determined to be professional as long as I worked there. “You may be my boss at the office, but you aren’t my boss in my personal life.”

“I’m sorry.” There was no cockiness, no smirk, just a sincerity that pulled at my heart. “I was upset about Rick, and I got scared. If anything ever happened to you, I’d—”

“It’s fine. Now that we’re back at work, I hope we can put all of that behind us and be professional.”

He crossed the room to stand in front of my desk. “Stop. Stop pretending like it doesn’t matter. I fucked up. I was a complete asshole. Get mad, yell at me, hit me, just don’t keep looking at me like I’m nothing to you.”

He wanted some big scene to assuage his ego? I wasn’t going to give it to him. “Of course you aren’t nothing to me. You’re my boss and I respect you. That’s it.”

“Perfect,” he said, hands on hips, determination on every line of his face. “Then as your boss, I’m asking you to come with me. I want to show you something.”

“What?” I snapped, nervous and determined not to show it. A tiny sliver of hope seeped through me, lighting the darkness that had set up residence since he’d left me, but I stomped it down.

---