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I sat behind him and wrapped my arms around his middle. It took a lot out of him to tell me what happened that night, and I would not forget that. “Thank you for telling me.”
“I’ll understand if you want to bolt. This isan out.”
“I’m not going anywhere.”
He covered my hands with his and sighed in relief. “I have toleave this place,” he blurted. “I need to see my dad in Chicago. Will you come with me?”
My face burned. I wasn’t sure how I felt about meeting Will’s dad. “What about the campaign?”
“Luke will be upset, but I’m only going to Chicago to help him.” He disengaged from my arms and dressed himself. “I think I need to do something.”
I picked at a spot in the bed sheets with my nail and glanced at him, only to look away when he met my eyes.
“Spit it out.”
“Why—why do you want me to go with you?”
He thought about it for a moment and gave me a weak smile. “I paid you for three weeks work and we’ve only had sex once.”
“You’re lucky that I have a sense of humor,” I groaned in frustration. “Be serious for once.”
“I like having you around.”
I stood up and took his body in my arms, nestling my head under his chin. His warmth was so comforting; I leaned into him and felt my lungs expanding, like a balloon inflating inside my chest.
I like being with you, too.
“What will you tell your dad about me? Christ, I'mworking for you.”
“Technically, you’re not working directly under me. Natalie, what are you really trying to ask me?”
My face burned. The lilt in his voice suggested that he already knew what I wanted, but he would force it out of me anyways. I wasn’t interested in a fling.
"Where the hell is this headed?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm enjoying the ride."
"But you're my boss! Isn't this a--a conflict of interest?"
His hands tightened around my arms. "If I'm your boss, then you have to do what I say."
"Will!"
“I want to be with you. That's all I got for now."
I'm fine with that.
I stood on my toes and kissed his mouth, feeling giddy when he responded, his arms circling my waist and tightening.
“Okay,” he said when we broke apart. “Let’s get ready. I need to charter a flight out of here.”
I was already packed, so I walked to the bright lobby and checked my email. It was the crack of dawn. I ascended the stairs to the terrace with a plate of lemon cakes and coffee and sighed at the magnificent sunrise. The dark sky was giving way to the stretch of orange on the horizon. Puffy, pink clouds hung in the lightening blue. The colors were coming to life; the sun illuminated the brightly painted homes and the swirls of turquoise in the ocean. Such beauty just wasn’t possible. I took several pictures and attempted to sketch it, but stopped myself. It was more important to watch it. I felt an incredible sadness at the realization I would soon leave this place. It was like going to paradise and being expected to return home to a world of concrete and somehow be happy about that.
I wiped away the tears on my face and checked my email. There were several from Jessica and a couple from Ben. I drew a sharp, painful breath and clicked on his message.
Natalie,
I was really upset to find out you were seeing someone else on a tabloid website and I apologize if I came off angry. I know that I did the same thing to you after we broke up, but I was just trying to move on. I really don’t think it’s fair you’re doing this. We should have a discussion before you make a rash decision. We’ve been together for six years. Why can’t I have any say in what happens to our relationship? I am really depressed without you and I’ve been in therapy these past few weeks. I can’t move on. I feel sick to my stomach at the thought of you being with another man. Please call me when you get the chance.
