Page 65 of Conflagration
I sigh, wishing I’d just kept my mouth shut. But I know it would be ten times worse if I saw Ben behind his back. “I don’t want to fight about this. You’re right. It’s not up for debate. I’ll go see him in safe territory—at his office. I’ll return the ring, and in turn, I’ll make sure he sees yours. But I refuse to show up with you there with me. Just like with my parents, I need to do this on my own. I need to prove to myselfI cando this on my own, and I need you to trust me.”
His fist slams down on the steering wheel, startling me. “Fuck. You’re right. I’m sorry. I do trust you,” he says, looking over at me. “Okay. If this is what you need to do, I’ll respect it. I don’t like it, and if he so much as touches you, I’ll fucking kill him.”
Leaning over, I place a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you. And you don’t have to worry about that. He won’t lay a finger on me. That’s why I’ll meet him in his office.”
His jaw tightens, as does his grip on the steering wheel, and for a split second, I consider changing my mind, but I can’t. What I told him is true. I need to prove to myself—and to them—that I can handle my own problems.
I’M BEING an asshole. I know I am, and I still can’t help myself. The thought of her going to see her ex has me irrationally pissed off. She’s right. I want to be there so I can look him smug in the face and let him know that he lost the best thing that ever could’ve happened to him and he’ll never get her back. Some primal urge to show that she’s mine rises up in me, and I have to rein myself in before I piss her off.
Deep down, I get where she’s coming from. But as I said, I don’t like it.
Silence has descended over us in the car, both of us lost in our thoughts. This trip wasn’t supposed to be like this. It’s supposed to be our new beginning. Suddenly, I realize I really am an asshole. For us to truly move on together, she has to put her past to rest. As much as I want to be there with her, she needs to do this on her own, and I can respect that.
“Hey,” I say, taking her hand. “I’m sorry. I get it. I do. And I’m proud of you.”
She gives me a hopeful smile. “Yeah?”
“Yeah. I have you for the rest of my life. You do whatever you need to do this week to make that possible, because when we get back home, I’m never letting you go.”
“Thank you, Branson. I appreciate it. You know you have nothing to worry about. What did I tell you? I’d become a nun if I lost you.”
“Not gonna happen, baby,” I tell her. Then I decide to change course. “So have you thought about what you’re going to do next?”
“What do you mean?” she asks, looking at me quizzically.
“Well, something else Dad and I talked about this morning… There seems to be an opening in the accounting department, and since you’re sticking around, he says it’s yours if you want it.”
She sucks in a deep breath, then narrows her eyes. “No. No way. Absolutely not.”
“Why not? You’d be a perfect fit.”
“Branson, I’m not taking a job at Wellington because I’m engaged to one. That’s nepotism at its finest. People would hate me on principle. Not happening.”
“Oh, come on. You have the credentials and more than enough experience. You’d get hired even if you weren’t with me,” I insist, but she shakes her head.
“No. I did that after college when I went to work for my dad, and it took years to gain respect from the other employees. I’m not starting a career like that again. As soon as I get the insurance money from the car accident, I’ll get a car and start looking for a job in Nashville. Like you said, with my degree and experience, hopefully it won’t take too long, but I want to do this on my own. This is my new life, Branson. The new me. And the new me earns things on her own. So I appreciate the gesture. I really do. But no, I’m not coming to work with you.”
“Okay, okay,” I say, backing off then giving her a smirk. “I was just thinking of how amazing it’d be if you were only a few floors down from me. Long lunches, late nights at the office…”
She laughs. “That’s another reason! We’d never get any work done. Nope, you’ll just have to pack it up at the end of the day and come home if you want me.”
“All the late nights are behind me. I promise. I won’t let work consume me now that I have you,” I tell her. “But seriously, the offer’s on the table if you want it.”
“Branson, I appreciate it, but I’d feel better if I found my own job.”
I can tell I’m not going to win this argument, so I drop it. At least for now.
THE NEXT few days spent in Atlanta go by in a blur. We make brand-new memories at the Four Seasons, ones I know Branson will never forget, and while he spends his days at the downtown Wellington office, I make the trek to my condo in Buckhead to pack up my things, separating them into two piles: one for Belle Meade and one for Goodwill. There’s no sense in having two sets of housewares, and the less I have to take, the better.
It’s our last full day in Atlanta, and I’ve put off seeing both my parents and Benjamin. Looking around my condo, I see that there’s nothing left to do, so I know it’s time to face the music. Alyssa’s been too busy to help out, but we were finally able to set up dinner with her tonight. I sigh, knowing I can’t put this off any longer.
Steeling my nerves, I look down at my jeans and T-shirt, and for a moment, I consider changing. Then I think better of it. This is the new me. I don’t need fancy suits or expensive jewelry to make the trek downtown. Before I can change my mind, I call a cab and head to Benjamin’s office, wanting to get this out of the way first.
As I make my way to his floor, I take one last deep breath and then step off the elevator. His secretary’s eyes widen when she sees me. Then she collects herself, giving me a warm smile.
“Ms. Covington, how nice to see you. I do hope you’re feeling better.”
I fight the urge to roll my eyes, wondering what mysterious illness has been his excuse for the wedding postponement. “I’m fine. Thank you. Actually, I’ve never been better. Is Benjamin in?”
