AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I do,” she confirms quietly.
“Anyway,” I go on, now in my stride. It actually feels good to get all these thoughts off my chest to someone other than Lainey. “Mum met her and loved her.” I nod confirmation that Gina’s heard me right when her eyes pop. My PA and my mum are both crazy about each other, and I can see mentioning that Mum loved Lainey has softened something in Gina’s eyes. My mum does not suffer fools, and Gina knows that. “And then I had that wedding on Saturday, and I took Lainey.”
She arches a brow. “Did you see the mega bitch from hell?”
“Yep. You never mentioned she’d called more than that once.”
“Why would I?” Gina laughs. “After I wound up bailing you out of jail?”
I nod, accepting her reason. “Gina, Saturday was perfect. It was fucking perfect. All of it. Even the part when Annabella had the cheek to request to speak with me privately. Told me she and her old bastard of a husband had split up. Like, what? We were going to rekindle what we didn’t have years ago?” I take in air and go on. “You would have loved this bit. Lainey accidentally spilled her red wine down Annabella’s dress.” I laugh, remembering the scene like it happened a minute ago. “It was hilarious. And Lainey switched the name cards at the tables so I didn’t have to look at Annabella throughout dinner.” I grin, and I know it’s an epic one because Gina is staring at me, all what the fuck? “Then Mum took a picture of us together, caught in the moment, and passed comment. Said we looked in love. And, you know, we really did. Maybe it was then that I realized I was in love with her. I don’t know. But the moment clarity came, it all made sense. My heart physically fucking aches, and the only explanation is love. I love her.” It sounds so good out loud. I exhale on a smile and glance across my desk to my assistant.
She’s looking at me like I might have two heads. “Who are you?”
“I know,” I say. “But, Gina, I feel so damn good. Full of purpose and energy.”
“And you didn’t before?”
“You know what I mean. It’s a different kind of purpose. Like suddenly you exist for someone else and not just yourself. Like every thought you have, you factor them into it, too. Like you make plans around them, and actually want to make them a part of everything.” I lean forward, serious as shit. “Like the thought of them not being in your life anymore is crushing.”
She looks at me a little vacantly. “I understand.”
“Oh good.”
“Because I’m in love with you.”
“What?” I shoot up from my chair like a rocket, nearly tripping up the leg. Gina’s sitting across from me, her face straight. Oh fuck. How the hell did I miss this? “Gina, I . . .” What do I say to this?
Suddenly, she bursts out laughing. “I’m pulling your leg, you twat.”
What the hell? I collapse into my chair, rubbing at my chest to massage my pounding heart back to a steady pace. “You bitch.”
She chuckles, highly pleased with herself. “I couldn’t love you, Tyler. You’re too in love with yourself. But, honestly, I really don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything.” I reach over and take her limp hand, staring into her eyes beseechingly. “Please don’t mention Lainey’s previous job. No one needs to know, and it’ll just make this more difficult.”
“Fine,” she breathes. “You understand why talking to this guy rattled me, can’t you? You’ve been distracted and whatnot, and I was really worried. I let you see me in my workout gear, for God’s sake.”
I chuckle. Yes, that was really something. “I get it. You know I appreciate you, and threatening to fire you was not cool. I’m sorry.”
Her face bunches. “Yeah, I’m sorry, too.” It’s obviously killing her to utter those words. “But what about Sal? He’s going to blow his bald head.”
I laugh lightly. “I know. So Lainey’s going to tell him.”
“You coward.”
“Hey, it was her idea. I have to respect that. If Sal turns up looking mad, don’t let him in.”
She cackles, standing up from her chair. “You know I can’t stop him, and I doubt I’ll have time to call you. Plus, I might be on the phone. Or you could be.” She grins cunningly. “But I can give you a signal.”
Oh, good call. “Like what?”
“I do a great crow.”
I balk. “Come again?”
“A crow,” she reiterates, before clearing her throat and letting out an almighty squawk. My eardrums literally bleed.
“Jesus, Gina.” I cover my poor ears with my palms, waiting for the sound to fade and her mouth to close.
“The crow,” she announces. “Listen out for it.” Stopping at the door, she turns, the handle in her grasp. “I’m happy for you, Tyler. But don’t be messed around, okay?”
