“For dinner?In that case, perhaps we should just go back to your place.”
“I'm sorry, what?”
She leaned in, her perfume cloying.“I said, why don't we continue this at your place?”Her fingers trailed up my arm.“I'd love to see the view.”
The invitation hung in the air.A week ago, I wouldn't have hesitated.Hell, I probably would've had her pressed up against the wall of my bedroom by now.
But tonight?The thought left me cold.
“I appreciate the offer,” I said, gently removing her hand.“But I don't think that's a good idea.”
She frowned.“Why not?I thought we were having a good time.”
Were we?
My phone vibrated again, this time with a text.
DAD
Carter, please call me back.It's important.
A weary sigh escaped my lips.“Look, you're beautiful.Any guy would be lucky to go home with you tonight.But I'm not that guy.”
“Is there someone else?”
I thought of Olivia.Her warm brown eyes, that infectious laugh, the way she chewed her lip when she was concentrating.
“Yes,” I admitted, more to myself than to her.“I think there is.”
The realization hit me like a meteor.I didn't want this woman, or any other woman for that matter.I wanted Olivia.Only Olivia.
Fuck.
“I'm sorry,” I said, standing up.“I shouldn't have wasted your time tonight.Let me call you a cab.”
As I waited for her ride, the full impact of my epiphany settled over me.I was falling for my assistant.Despite promising myself I'd never put myself in such a vulnerable and compromising position.A position in which I could lose someone who meant the world to me—again.
I should call my dad.Another of his tough-love conversations may be just what I needed.
* * *
I satdown in Olivia's chair to return my dad's call.
“Hey, Son.Thanks for calling me back.”
“Sorry it's so late.I was on a date.”I leaned back in the chair, fiddling with the framed picture of Pete Olivia kept on her desk.
“No problem at all.I was just watching highlights from the Reds game.Did you see that grand slam from Candelario against the Mets?”
I set the frame back on the desk.“Nah, I missed it.You said you had something important to talk about?”
There was a long pause on the other end of the line.I pictured Dad sitting in his recliner, rubbing his forehead as he tried to find the right words.
“Well, tomorrow's the anniversary of your mom's death.”
My chest tightened.“I'm aware.”
“Was wondering if you wanted to go visit her with me.”
