Page 53 of The Executive Assistant

“Cameron,” I began, my heart aching.

“I thought I would be able to do this,” he continued, “but the more I’ve thought about it, I realized I can’t. Like Itold you, I can’t date a woman who will switch from being my girlfriend to my boss in a second. When we started this, I didn’t think it would be a big deal, but you have the power. Our relationship is unbalanced in a way I can’t ignore.”

Ididhave the power. Of course, I did. But naively, I also thought it wouldn’t matter.

I desperately searched for a solution, trying to keep calm, even though my body felt tight. “What if I promoted you to a higher position? You would still work for me, but you wouldn’t be directly under me. We would be more equal,” I suggested.

“I’m not saying this to get a promotion out of you,” he said, looking alarmed.

Shit. I didn’t want him to walk away. “What about a raise?” I asked, voice rising with panic. “I’ll give you a huge raise. You can buy whatever you want or move into a better apartment.”

Please say yes. Please say yes. Please say yes —

Cameron made an incredulous sound. “A better apartment? I know mine’s not luxurious like yours, but I figured it was good enough.”

I winced. “No, no. I didn’t mean that —”

“You’re just so far ahead of me,” he interrupted. “I’ve spent the past week wondering, what do you want with me? I knew you wanted sex. But is there anything I can give you? You earn more than me. You have your owncompany. You can buy whatever you want. I can organize a weekend getaway at the beach, but it won’t be anything special.”

“It was special,” I insisted.

He shrugged. “You’re used to fancy restaurants and 5-star resorts.”

What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to convince him? “I’m sorry our getaway was cut short. I can reimburse you for the hotel. I know it would’ve been expensive —”

“No,” he said, voice firm. “It was a gift.” He sighed, sounding frustrated. “This is what I mean. I don’t want money. I don’t want a promotion. I don’t want a raise. I want —” He cut himself off and shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. Forget it.”

He’d given up. I could hear it in his voice and see it in the slump of his shoulders.

I took a few shaky breaths, and my hand moved to my stomach, steadying myself. “Are we ending this?” I asked, trying my best to sound calm.

Cameron gazed at me for what felt like a painful eternity, his jaw tensing as he gathered himself. “I’m sorry,” he said.

I tried to say something, but no words came out. And eventually, he turned around and walked out of my office, his apology lingering in the air.

We were done.

Tears finally fell from my eyes, coursing down my cheeks as my bottom lip trembled. My hand flew to my mouth, quieting a sob that burst from me. My knees weakened, forcing me to sit in my chair as my body shuddered.

I shouldn’t have been shocked. I should’ve seen this coming. But still, it hurt so, so much.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

If I thought the previous week was awful, the next two weeks were pure hell.

Cameron and I were complete strangers. We spoke about work and nothing else. He wouldn’t even smile at me.

I missed his smile. I missedhim.

All I could do to take away the pain was to bury myself in my work. Our current projects weren’t as intensive as the LearnQuest campaign, but I treated them as though they were just as urgent. It was the only thing that took my mind off Cameron.

I’d been hesitant to get involved with him because I thought it might affect our reputations. I didn’t even consider the possibility that our relationship could end and I would have to see him every weekday. When my past relationships ended, I’d rarely seen my exes afterward.That was the best way to heal — no contact. Every time I saw Cameron’s face, it was like I was being stabbed in the chest.

Now, I stood in my bathroom, slowly getting ready for work. I really didn’t want to go to the office today.

There was a knock on my door and my heart rate spiked. Who the hell could be at my door so early in the morning?

I headed to the foyer, squinting my eyes for a moment as my vision briefly went blurry. When I opened my front door, my eyes widened at the sight of Emilia and Brooke standing out in the hallway. “What are you guys doing here?”

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