Page 82 of Inevitable
He said nothing, though his expression conveyed everything—doubt, disgust, concern. I had a feeling it didn’t matter what I said, Ian wouldn’t be swayed.
We fell silent for a moment, the noises of the restaurant filling the gap as he ate and I picked at my food. What I felt for Sumner went well beyond infatuation. She was so embedded in me that I didn’t know how to separate where I ended from where she began.
“How has she been at the office?” he asked. “I mean, you’ve seen them together, right?”
“Fine,” I answered quickly, perhaps a little too quickly. My chest squeezed, and I tugged at my collar again.Is it hot in here?“What I mean is—they’re nothing but professional at work. I don’t think I ever thanked you for suggesting I bring her on. I’m really glad you did. She’s done an amazing job—both with projects for the Wolfe Group and coaching. Everyone loves her.”
I love her.And I didn’t want to lose her.
Could I fill her position at the Wolfe Group? Sure.
But no one could fill the hole in my heart created by her absence.
I didn’t want to let her go. But what about Sumner? I knew what she wanted—at least what I thought she wanted. But maybe I’d been the one pushing her to pursue her coaching business when she wasn’t ready. When she wanted more education.She’d admitted she had trouble saying no, that she hated disappointing people. Was I doing more harm than good?
His features softened, a proud smile crossing his lips. “I’m glad. She is pretty remarkable.”
“That she is,” I said, unable to hide the wistful note in my voice.
We spent the rest of lunch discussing other matters, though my mind was on Sumner, as it often was. I’d seen her growth this summer. She was confident. She wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She didn’t hesitate to put me—or any other man—in their place. Just thinking about our meeting with Tom Sheffield had a smile forming on my face. She’d handled him with grace and ease, and she’d closed the deal.
“She’s tougher than you think,” I said as the waiter returned with my credit card. I signed the check, and Ian thanked me before we headed for the valet stand.
“Perhaps. I can be a bit blind when it comes to Sumner.” Apparently I wasn’t the only one. “But I know that she also has a blind spot when it comes to men. And she doesn’t make the best decisions where they’re concerned. Anyway—” Ian clapped a hand on my shoulder, but it felt as if he’d wrapped it around my throat and squeezed. “Think about what I said.”
* * *
“You wanted to see me?”Sumner grinned from the doorway to my office, probably because the last time I’d called her in, I’d ended up eating her out on my desk.
“Yes.” I stood, smoothing down my tie, knowing this would be nothing like the last time. “Come in. And close the door, please.”
Her smile widened, and I hated myself for what I was about to do. It had to be done. And though I didn’t like the idea of breaking up with her at the office, it was the only way. If we were at home, she’d find a way to persuade me otherwise. She’d already been hinting that we could keep this going beyond the summer. Much as I wanted to, I knew we couldn’t continue long term.
Ian’s comments at lunch the other day had made that abundantly clear. I wasn’t sure why I’d ever thought he might find a way to approve of our relationship, but that conversation had brought me back to reality. Had made me realize I had to let her go.
“Sumner,” I said, debating my words, even though I’d rehearsed this conversation a million times in my head. “This summer has been amazing.”
“I know, and I’ve been doing some thinking.” She threaded her fingers through mine, peering up at me with the most brilliant smile. She pecked me on the lips, and I tried to savor the taste of her, memorize it.
“Today’s your last day—”
“Yes,” she cut me off. “But maybe it doesn’t have to be.”
Hope rose in my chest and then plummeted, sinking in my gut.Stay?There was no way I could let her stay. Even though I’d tried to ready myself for this, I was woefully unprepared.
“You once said if I weren’t going to grad school, you’d offer me a full-time job. And I want to take you up on it. I love the work I’m doing here, and I’ve loved working with you as your coach.”
Her eyes shone with hope. But I needed to quash any chance of us being together, once and for all. We needed a clean break. It was for her own good.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She’d already paid the deposits and rented an apartment, registered for classes—not to mention, Ian would kill me.
“I don’t understand.” She smoothed her hands over my lapels. “Last weekend…at the Huntington Gardens, you said—”
I shook my head, denying her pleas even though I knew exactly what she was referring to. The moment I’d told her I didn’t know if I could let her go, even if I had been speaking in vague terms.
“What about your dreams of having a coaching business?”
