Page 72 of Always Be Mine

“Then I’ll quit.”

“You’re not going to quit.” She started to shake her head again, but he stopped her. “Lucy, you have to know that I wanted to kiss you just as much as you wanted to kiss me.” He chuckled. “Hell, probably more. And I’m not going to fire you because I acted on those feelings. And I’m sure as hell not going to let you quit.”

There were too many emotions rushing through her. Seeing Ross earlier had thrown her in a big way. Maybe more than she’d realized. On one hand, it had been good to see him and realize that she no longer felt anything for him, except maybe disdain. But it had shaken her to meet his wife, knowing that the poor woman who thought her husband was so amazing had been betrayed. And that Lucy had played a part, even unknowingly, had shaken her.

But none of what she was feeling in that exact moment had anything to do with anyone but the man in front of her.

It was Craig.

“I think I’m falling for you.” She blurted out the words before she could change her mind. “No, that’s not true. Ihavefallen for you, Craig. And that’s why I have to quit.” It was the last thing she wanted to do, but it was the right thing to do. For all of them.

“Quit? No. You can’t quit.”

“You don’t understand, Craig. I have to.” She wouldn’t meet his gaze as she explained. “You see, Ross wasn’t just my ex-boyfriend, he was myboss. I knew I shouldn’t have gotten involved with him, but I did it anyway and then when I found out—well, when it didn’t work out, my whole life imploded.” She sucked in a breath, determined to be strong this time. “And I can’t let that happen again. I won’t. I can’t be that person again.”

“You won’t be.”

“I already am, Craig.”

“But this is different.”

She chuckled a little, but nothing was funny. “How is this any different?”

“It’s different, Lucy, because I’m falling for you, too.”

“What?” She tried to pull away, but he held her fast.

“I said that I think I’m falling for you, too.” He lifted her chin so she was looking up at him. “The thing is, I don’t know what this feeling is, or what to do about it. This is all new to me. All I know is that I like you. A lot. And…I’m pretty sure you like me.” He winked, and she laughed.

“I do.”

“Let that be enough.”

She stared at him incredulously. How could he possibly think it could be that easy?

“We like each other and it’s still so new, why do we have to make it more than it is?”

“Remember the whole boss thing?” She tilted her head. “I’ve been there, done that, and it didn’t work out.”

“I’m not Ross.”

Thank God for that.

“So, you don’t have a wife?” She hadn’t planned to tell him that detail, but suddenly it became especially important to tell him everything.

Craig’s mouth fell open, and he shook his head. “You mean…that woman…”

“His wife.” She nodded. “And to be perfectly clear, I had no idea he was married. And the moment I found out, I ended it.”

“Wow.” Craig took a step away and shook his head. “He was married? And you…”

“I didn’t know,” she repeated. If Craig thought less of her because of this, it was better she knew right away. There was a part of her that almost hoped hedid, because it would be the out she needed in what was only going to be a very complicated situation.

Craig had his back to her, but she didn’t rush him while he processed the information she’d just shared.

Finally, he turned around and stepped toward her again. “What an asshole.” He took her hands in his and squeezed. “He really did a number on you, didn’t he?”

She swallowed hard.

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