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“This isn’t a fight,” she said. “I would have to care to fight with you.” I laughed humorlessly.
“You care, otherwise you wouldn’t be acting like this.” I threw my hand toward her. She folded her arms over her chest, her notebook still clutched in a shaky hand. “Now, who told you?”
“Monica,” she said, spitting her name out.
“I didn’t sleep with fucking Monica,” I scoffed.
“But she said–”
“She’s been coming on to me for years, but she’s interested in my money and I have no interest in a gold digger. I have never slept with her.” She narrowed her eyes, and I balled my hands into tight fists.
“Have you slept with anyone in the office?” I let out a whoosh of air and turned my back to her. I rested my hand on the window and dropped my head forward.
“Yes,” I muttered. “There was one. Two years ago.” She was silent behind me and I squeezed my eyes shut. “She meant nothing to me, Danica.”
“That doesn’t make this better,” she said, her voice breaking. “If she meant nothing to you, how do you expect me to believe I do?”
“Come on,” I sighed as I turned toward her. “That’s not how I meant it, and you know it.” I stepped toward her, and she pressed her back harder against the door.
“I knew this was a bad idea,” she said, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t have agreed–we shouldn't have done–” She wiped at her cheek, her chin wobbling uncontrollably.
“Stop it,” I said quietly. “What do I need to do? Tell me what I need to do to fix this, and I will. Do I need to fire Monica? Fire all the women here? What do you want me to do?” I held my hands out, pleading with her. I was moments away from dropping to my knees to beg her to stay, and I wasn’t ashamed or embarrassed to admit that. I needed her more than I needed to fucking breathe. “Say the word and I’ll give you the entire fucking world, Danica. Just tell me what I have to do.”
“Does she still work here?” she asked.
“No,” I replied immediately. “She left when things…” I trailed off. I didn’t want to get into this with her. “We weren’t serious–at least, I wasn’t serious about her. I thought she understood that. I thought she understood I wasn’t looking for anything beyond a physical relationship, but she wanted more. She expected commitments. She wanted a ring. She wanted it all. I didn’t. But just because she didn’t mean anything to me doesn’t mean you don’t. You mean something to me, Danica.”
Tears dripped from her eyes. I stepped forward, not wanting to push her too far too fast, but I couldn’t lose her. I just fucking couldn’t, but I felt her slipping away.
“If you’re scared, just tell me that. If you don’t want me–” My voice tightened, and I roughly cleared my throat. I didn’t want to think about that possibility. “If you’re scared, just fucking tell me, baby. Don’t push me away.”
She stared up at me, her mascara in streaks down her cheeks from her tears. Her nose was red, her lips swollen.
“I don’t do anything without a plan,” she finally said, sniffling as she wiped her cheek with her hand. “I like to be prepared for everything. I don’t like surprises, and I hate when things don’t go the way I planned.” My hands shook as I flicked my eyes between hers. “You weren’t part of the plan, Aiden.” My chest felt like it was cracking in half. “I’m not someone who takes risks.”
“Take one now,” I said quickly, my eyes frantically searching hers. I took a step closer. “We can make a new plan, baby. Please.”
She stared at me, and I could see every thought whirling through her mind, every scenario, every worry, every fear. I patiently waited, and I’d continue to wait until she was ready for more. Even if it took months, years, to convince her I wanted her, that we were a good idea, I’d wait.
In that moment, I realized there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for this woman.
“Aiden,” she finally choked out.
I didn’t give her a chance to say anything else; I crushed her to my chest, my arms tightening around her as I rocked back and forth. She cried against me, her tears soaking into my shirt. I pressed my lips to the top of her head, letting them linger as I held her.
“Tell me what to do,” I pleaded. “Tell me, and I’ll do anything.” She was silent for a long time. Finally, she pulled away to look up at me. I cradled her face between my hands and gently swiped her damp cheeks with my thumbs.
“Just…don’t break my heart,” she whispered. I pressed my lips gently to hers, letting her feel everything I couldn’t say.
“Never,” I vowed. She wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her head back into my chest. I squeezed her tighter. I’d hold her like this for as long as she needed, and if she never wanted me to let her go, I never would.
16
DANI
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you home?” Aiden asked as we approached my car. I gave him a weak smile, feeling emotionally and physically drained.
“I’m sure,” I nodded.
