Page 51 of Honey Bun
The others all packed up to go about their day as I collected my thoughts. Nothing about finding inner peace seemed bad at all. If I made the choices from now on, I’d be better off.
It gave me hope that maybe I’d figure out how to please Arman and not just let our relationship consist of him giving me everything. Anything was possible, but I needed to get my life on track. I’d have to prove I could do that if I ever wanted to let myself really believe Arman.
As the lobby’s side room was nearly empty, I approached Charity. “This was nice. Thank you for the experience.”
She handed me a postcard. “We have a weekly meeting. If you want to do this again, come next week, same time.”
If I stay here that long…I shook that thought out. “I… I will.”
“Great.” She carried her mat out of the room.
I didn’t want a coffee that morning on my walk to work. People were rushing past me, but I kept my face up toward the clouds. Soon, I’d see Arman again, and then I’d have to face my question of the last few days:Does he love me because he wants to rescue me, or does he love me because of who I am?
I made it to the office and past other employees. When I got to my desk, Arman popped out of his office and said, “You look peaceful.”
I felt a jolt. I hadn’t seen him since the morning after he’d left my bed, and he hadn’t called. I put my hand on my desk to feel something solid under my palm. “You’re back from your trip.”
He walked closer, and I wondered if he’d kiss me. “We finished early, and I hurried home. I heard you have a meeting with Joel and Kendal.”
My knees knocked as he stood closer, and I longed for his touch. I tried to sound reasonable. “I do. Do you want to join us?” I half wanted to take my words back. But if I ignored him, I would never know if I could please him.
He said, “Sounds good.” He reached out and brushed my arm. “How’s Aurora?”
I glanced toward the rest of the office and wondered if I’d been branded as his. I couldn’t be. I shrugged his hand off my arm just in case. “She’s working hard to put herself out there. It’s noble, really.”
He smiled, completely unfazed. “I can’t wait to see her play.”
I glanced at the clock.No time for an email check.I straightened my shoulders and pointed to the door. “You want to go to that play?”
“Sure.” He walked out with me.
If I could talk to him alone, maybe I could figure out how to ask him why he’d said he loved me. We made it to the elevator, and once the doors closed, I said, “You know, Aurora will be okay with just me.”
He stared down his nose. “You don’t want me to go?”
I massaged the back of my head. We hit the lobby level too fast, but I ignored my racing heart and said, “No. I do. She’d want you there, but you don’t have to rescue us.”
Maybe he’ll spill it on his own.
He offered his arm, and I tentatively took it as we walked. He said, “Your daughter and you treat me like I’m part of the team and not just rich and entitled to whatever I want.”
Once we made the street, the question was still on my tongue, but I couldn’t ask it. If he convinced me he loved me, so what? I wasn’t ready for him. I wasn’t worthy of him. And I wasn’t exactly ready to always feel that joy I’d felt in his arms.
We headed to the private museum of an old mansion owned by a business titan more than a century earlier. Inside, there was a fountain and a restful spot.
Arman pointed. “There’s Joel and Kendal.”
I’d lost my chance. Maybe that was good. I hugged the bride and went right into work mode. “So, now that we have this venue secured, I wanted to walk you both through the layout and get your input.”
We walked outside to a veranda with a private view of Central Park. There were trees and privacy, and enjoying nature was built into the design. I pointed behind us. “The house can host the wedding if the weather gets in the way.”
Kendal nodded. “That’s perfect. It’s gorgeous, and so is this view.”
A happy bride meant I was doing my job well. However, I went into seller mode in case her husband wasn’t convinced. “Private but with Central Park as a backdrop.”
Joel looked like he was sold.Good.
Kendal asked, “What kind of wedding would you want for yourself, Maddie?”
