Page 24 of Conflict
Before he can respond, a sleek sedan pulls up to the curb. A neatly dressed man exits the driver’s side, rounds the car, and holds the rear passenger’s door open. “Sir,” he greets, nodding to Shane.
“A moment.” Then he turns back to me and takes a deep breath. My heart constricts as he steps closer to me and takes my hands in his. “Forget everything I said about Wellsley. It doesn’t matter. It’s two old men bickering. And as for the Filiatrault account, that does throw a wrench in things, but we can work past that.”
I squeeze my eyes shut, my nose burning with a sting of tears. When I reopen them, his eyes implore me. “That’s easy for the CFO to say,” I whisper.
Shane’s fingers squeeze my own. “It’s easy for me to say because it’s true.” He pauses, looking from the driver to me. “I wouldn’t leave if I could help it. My cousin Branson needs me in Atlanta. He’s…not well, and there’s a long history, but I have to go. I can’t let him down.”
Part of me is tugged at the heartstrings that he seems to have such strong familial loyalty. That part of me is an asshole because she’ll be the little devil on my shoulder reminding me of all the reasons Shane and I could be a good idea.
Unfortunately for me, there’s no combatting angel to shoot her down. Yet.
Shane leans in close, his lips brushing against mine in a final kiss. “I will be back. As soon as I can, Alyssa.” His eyes search mine, and when he frowns, I wonder what he sees. “Please. Be here when I get back. I’ll show you there’s no conflict.”
When he pulls away, the scrutiny in his gaze causes me to squirm. I want to promise I’ll be here. I want to promise I’ll wait for him. I want to throw my arms around his neck and tell him I’ll just come to Atlanta with him so we can continue to explore whatever this is. I want to do so many things, yet I do nothing.
With a heavy sigh, Shane ducks into the car, and as it pulls away, I’m left alone to stare after him.
“Miss, is there anything I can help you with?”
I turn toward Angela, who’s watching me, her face impassive, as if her boss hadn’t just kissed me. I hope the smile I plaster on isn’t as fake as it feels and nod.
“As a matter of fact, there is.” I swallow, unable to stop the impulse of what I’m about to do. “Something’s come up. I’d like to discuss an early checkout.”
It shouldn’t be that big of a deal. In reality, all he did was conceal a fewsignificantdetails about his life, and it’s not like he owed me anything. I just…felt like our connection was now tainted by his omissions. He labeled me as a pretty princess from the very beginning, thinking I was a snob, and then made up some false identity. I feel like an idiot, and even worse, my pride has been damaged. I gave him something special and I didn’t know the simplest thing about him.
I snort. It wasn’t that special if I was willing to give it up less than an hour after meeting him, but still. I set my shoulders and glance around my room, darting my gaze to the rumpled sheets that only remind me of what we did. I pull my suitcase out and begin packing.
When Shane returns, if he even will, I am going to be long gone. Unfortunately, I have a feeling a slightly broken heart is coming along with for the ride.
CFO of Wellington Enterprises.
Filiatrault account.
Thesingle most important account Wellsley-Callahan is pursuing, and the one I’m hoping can jumpstart what I hope will be a long, fruitful career.
If I didn’t think Shane Wellington and I had no future before, I sure as hell know we don’t now.
Life’s a funny bitch. I’ve finally met the one man who, in two days, changed everything for me. And he’s the one man I can’t have.
