Page 125 of The Boss Problem

Losing people close to us was always a shock, and I hated that so many people around me had been affected by death of their loved ones.

As I looked out, I saw couples walking down the street, crossing the road to Central Park’s south entrance. One couple had coffee in hand, a dog in tow, and as I watched, they stopped to share a kiss. A languid, easy kiss in the middle of the street before they resumed walking, the guy’s arm around the girl’s waist.

I grinned, picturing how wonderful it would feel to do the same with Chloe.This weekend perhaps, I noted, planning to pick her up from her home and walking down the street with her, hand in hand. Hopefully, the weather would be good.

It took me a moment to realize I’d never done something remotely similar with Helen.

The realization hit me like a freight train. Had I grown closer to Chloe than I ever had been with Helen?

I closed my eyes with a groan. I was imagining doing couple things and not just with anyone, but withChloe.

My phone rang, and I opened my eyes to answer it when a sudden movement caught my eye.

Out of nowhere, a delivery truck veered into our lane, as though it was oblivious to our presence. Time seemed to slow down as I braced myself for the impending collision. The blare of horns built up around us as Chris swerved sharply, but not enough to completely avoid the massive truck. I felt a sudden jolt as the truck hit the side of our car, tires screeched, and the car began to spin out of control.

The world outside the car window was a blur of flashing lights and frantic faces as adrenaline raced through my veins. My hands reached into space, trying to grip something, while my heart pounded in my chest. The smell of burned rubber filled the air as the car hit a parked green Toyota with less force than I’d have expected before we came to a shuddering halt.

I took a shaky breath before I reached for the man in front of me. “Are you okay?” I asked Chris, who could barely turn with the deployed air bag.

He nodded, his hands trembling as he reached to push the airbag away.

As the dust settled, I glanced through the window to see the massive truck swerving away, narrowly missing other vehicles. The road was chaotic, and it looked like, apart from us and the parked car, no one else was involved or hurt. For a moment, my world stood still as I realized the gravity of what had just happened.

We’d been inches from disaster.

I ought to be thankful to be alive.

Chris glanced at me through the rearview mirror, a silent understanding passing between us. In light of what we’d just been discussing, this moment felt even scarier. My heart still racing from the adrenaline surge, I closed my eyes and put my head in my hands as the sounds of an approaching fire truck reached us.

Getting out, I helped Chris out just as I stared at the dents in my car and the green Toyota parked on the street.

What if something serious had occurred? What if I’d died?

I haven’t told Chloe that I love her.

The thought haunted me all night long, long after the paramedics gave us the go-ahead and we took a cab back home.

54

CHLOE

Iwalked up to The Regal, a new place that Sean had insisted I meet him at.

It had been a scary week after realizing that he’d been in an accident. He’d taken it easy during my last few days at work with him, and I hadn’t seen him at work much, even though we’d met up at home every evening.

I’d had a tough time saying goodbye to some people at Tassater I’d grown close to. I had a couple of job offers in hand, all of which were like the job I had just completed for Sean. I was still hoping to pass my PMP exam, and apply for a different role once I passed.

I’m on my way over, he had texted.I want you to take a look at this place and let me know what you think. I’ll see you there.

Wondering if this was another of his real estate investment places, I made my way up the sidewalk, slowing down when I reached the entrance. I’d wanted to talk to him, to let him know about Henry’s college admission, and the phone had not seemed like a good place for that.

I’d been texting Erin a lot lately, and she had been so much fun to talk to. I loved seeing her and Sean bond with each other.I’d grown so comfortable with her that I realized I’d miss her when things with Sean eventually ended. Her, Lucas, and, of course, my Sean.

There wouldn’t be another man like him again. Of that much, I was sure. I was a fool, but a loyal fool, and I would have to pay for the mistakes my dad and I had made. Mistakes that had brought Henry to where he was.

I reached the address Sean had given me. At the apartment, the doorman recognized me.

“You can head on in, ma’am,” he said, much to my surprise, and led me to the elevator. “I’ll let you in.”

---