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Jon nods. "Take whatever time you need. We're managing without you – barely."
He smiles. I realize he means that as a compliment and wants me to know that I'm an indispensable part of the executive team. My staff can hold up my end for a few days.
"Thanks." I turn back to my laptop and the reports I have to review. "Maybe we should meet in an hour and go over what I've missed. Right now, I need to check my email and go over a few things."
He nods. "Okay," he says, and leaves me, closing the door behind him.
I sigh and turn my attention, such as it is, towards my email. I've read some of them from my external access, but haven't really answered any. Now I have work to do, and it's a welcome relief from worries about my mother.
After about an hour of work, I get a fresh cup of coffee from the staff room. Liza, one of our employees, comes up to me and offers her personal well-wishes for my mother.
"Jon told us all about it, how he wished he could have come back with you on the plane but he missed it. That must have been so nerve-wracking for you, not to have him with you. You must have been beside yourself."
"I was, but I was glad to get home as fast as possible."
"I think it's so sweet that you two are finally getting together."
I frown. "Who told you that?"
She shrugs. "I thought it was common knowledge. I hope you're not mad at me for mentioning it."
"Did Jon say something?"
She shakes her head. "No, but he really didn’t have to. We already know."
"What do you think you know?"
"I'm sorry." She blanches, and now I think she's worried that I'll get mad at her for talking about something personal. "I didn’t realize you didn’t want people to know…"
"You all assumed that we were a couple?"
She nods and stirs her coffee. "Yeah. We all assumed you were together but wanted to keep it quiet at work. Then Grant said—" She bites her lip and I realize that Grant has spilled the beans and demanded they all
keep it secret.
"Grant told you we're together."
She steps away. "Don't tell Jon I told you or he'll get in so much trouble. He said Jon would fire him if he knew."
"Don't worry," I say with a sigh. "I won't say anything to Jon. But please, don't make a big deal about this. We're not together, okay? The business is the most important thing and we don't want to risk that."
She nods and leaves the coffee room. I stand there and fume a bit.
I return to my office and pass Jon's office. His door is open and he's busy on the phone. When he sees me, he smiles and waves.
I nod and close the damn door.
I don't want to give him any ideas.
Chapter 12
JON
The next couple of days, I let India keep her distance.
She has a lot on her mind, with her mom recovering in the hospital and the specs she has to review on the new satellite. She'll come to me when she's ready and when she needs me.
In contrast, I want her right now.
