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He slapped a hand across his glorious chest. “Ouch, darlin’. I deserved that, but don’t think I’m giving up.”
I turned and walked away, more afraid than I’d ever been. It didn’t help when he yelled out, “By the way, I like this new feisty side to you. Looks like the whiskey finally burst the teacup. Total turn-on.”
I pressed my lips together before I smiled. I was in trouble. Deep trouble.
Declaration of War
I walked into the office feeling like an intern again—uncertain, and like everyone was looking at me. Though I was better dressed now. Ethan had a knack for fashion. He’d taught me how to shop and knew the best places to get designer labels at deeply discounted prices. I was wearing a straight coral dress with a thin black belt. It accentuated all my curves—at least that’s what Ethan had said when I’d tried it on for him back in January. He used to get more excited than me when I found something I liked and looked good in it. Fashion was never my thing, but today I felt like I needed to be on my A game.
I was very curious as to why Auggie wanted to see Kane and me here in his office. He’d had last night to talk to us during dinner, or even this morning at the house. Now that I thought about it, he’d never once brought up business, which was so unlike him. But Kane had dominated the conversation with his incessant need to make me talk to him. After this morning’s little episode, his actions during dinner now made more sense. I was beginning to believe he thought we should get back together. Was he insane? And where was all this coming from? We’d both moved on with our lives. Though Naomi contested Kane and I hadn’t moved on from each other. She was wrong. Right?
I would have to worry about it later. Right now, I needed to focus on not falling flat on my face in the heels I was wearing. I still wasn’t a fan of pumps, but Ethan had said a dress like this called for them. And he’d said they made my calves look sexy. Why I had the need to feel sexy today, I didn’t know. Okay, so maybe I did. Perhaps I wanted to show Kane what he had missed out on. And I wanted people to see I had grown up. That I wasn’t the shy, awkward intern anymore. Now I was the shy, awkward lab director. At least I was the well-dressed shy, awkward lab director. That was another worry. I didn’t want people to believe I wasn’t qualified. That the only reason I’d gotten the job was because of my last name.
Not that it was a secret that if you were ever related to Auggie, you had a job with him. Auggie wasn’t a nepotist per se—you had to prove your worth, but he would always give you a foot in the door. Kane could at least claim he’d made his own way in before Auggie had married his mother. Still, no one here would ever know what I had given up to take on this job. Well, maybe one person. But he was the one who’d made me realize dreams were just that—dreams.
After Kane left eight years ago, I had planned to tell Auggie I was going to specialize in forensic pathology, right after I accused him of promoting Kane on purpose so he would leave. However, after I’d voiced my accusation, Auggie had tenderly said he was sorry I was hurt, and then he’d assured me Kane had earned the promotion and he hadn’t made Kane break up with me. That was Kane’s choice, he’d so painfully pointed out. He added that I should look at it as an opportunity to reach my potential. That he had every confidence I would do great things for Armstrong Labs. I had seen how much that meant to him, and I’d promised him I would. I meant to keep that promise. I had given my life to it.
As I rode the elevator to the executive level, I gripped my purse like a lifeline. Not only because real life was hitting me but because I had to see Kane again. My heart wasn’t ready. I’d done everything I could this morning to make sure we didn’t see each other again before he left for the office. Even when he’d knocked on my bedroom door and asked if I wanted to ride in together, I’d replied through the door, refusing to come face-to-face with him again. He’d known I was going to say no, but he’d reiterated he wasn’t giving up. As far as I was concerned, he’d given up a long time ago.
With a ding, the elevator stopped and the doors opened. I let out a deep breath and stepped onto the gleaming tile floor. I took a moment to look around before I proceeded. Not much had changed since the last time I was here. It was still open and airy, yet just as claustrophobic as it always had been. I can do this.
