Page 785 of One More Kiss

Nicholas

I arriveat the office extra early. I want to catch everyone coming in to notify them of the changes being made before Riley comes into the office. Today is a big day for her and I sit in the conference room, sitting at the head of the table, awaiting her arrival.

Riley arrives at eight am sharp. When she walks into the conference room, there’s a look of confusion on her face as she continues to trudge into the empty room.

“What’s going on,” she asks.

“Have a seat, Riley.”

Her brows pinch together. “Where is everyone?”

“There’s been a change in plans with the project. No one else will meet with us today. Please, have a seat. I will explain everything to you.”

She angrily slams her items onto the table and demands answers. “What kind of change? What kind of stunt are you trying to pull now?”

“Riley, sit down!” I raise my voice.

“Don’t tell me to sit down! Did you pay for my father’s surgery so you can fire me with a clean conscience?”

My anger rises. “What? Wait, no, I…”

“Then what is it?”

I suppose it’s better to just be upfront about it all. “You’re off the project.”

A look of complete disbelief fills her face. “I knew it! I knew it! You took advantage of the situation with my parents and waited until I was vulnerable to get information out of me so you could fire me. You son-of-a-bitch! You know how badly I need this job!”

I have to admit, seeing her all riled up over the wrong thing is a tad funny to me, so I let her rant for a minute. Also, she is hot as hell while pissed off.

“Riley, that’s not it at all. If you would just calm down for a second and let me get this out, I think you may like what I have to say.”

“Oh sure, try me.”

“I figured out a way to fix this mess we have caused, and for all of this tension between us to go away. I bought another company. A company that will do business exclusively with Brooks Enterprises. We want you to run the company and the position comes with a raise. As for me, I’m stepping away from the project, which means I will no longer be working in this branch of the company.”

Riley is shocked into silence. Her body shifts from an erect, stiff posture to a more relaxed stance, and her face changes from an angry glare to an endearing expression.

“Are you serious right now?”

“Yes, Riley, I am.”

“I don’t know what to say. And I am thoroughly embarrassed at my behavior. Why are you being so nice to me? I mean, first, you pay for my father’s medical bills, and now you’re giving me a promotion with a raise? Is this so I can pay you back the thirty-thousand dollars?”

“A simple thank you is fine. And no, this isn’t about you paying me back anything. That’s not what this is about.”

“Well, I do plan on paying you back, and if it’s not about the money, then what is it about Mr. Brooks?”

“Nick.”

She rolls her eyes. “Okay, Nick, why are you doing all of this for me? I don’t understand.”

“Well, Riley, this is all about us.”

“Us? What do you mean, us? What are you talking about?”

“Since I can’t seem to get you out of my system, and I know the feeling is mutual, I had to find a way to make this work. If we no longer work for the same company, then we are free to do what we want with each other.”

Tears form in her eyes and slide down cheeks which have become a pink color. She stumbles on her next words. “Why… why me?”

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