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I shook my head, refusing to give into him.
“Kate, please.” He looked into my eyes. “Please come back with me so we can start over, right where we left off.”
“You mean, the past when you pushed me away the other night?”
“I’m talking about nine and a half years ago.”
“I don’t think that’s possible.” I choked over my own words. “I’ve changed.”
“No, you’re the same.” He pressed his forehead against mine. “So am I… And I know that because year after year, I can honestly say that I’ve thought about you more than anyone else.”
“First class is boarding right now, James. That’s my group.”
“Kate…” His lips nearly brushed against mine. “I love you, and I always have.”
“I believe you always will,” I said, slowly moving my head away from him. I picked up my bag and sighed. “You’ll just have to do it from afar now.” I felt my heart begging me to stay grounded, to resist the urge to fly away, but logic won the fight. “Goodbye and good luck, James. Thank you for finally apologizing.”
He looked devastated, and a part of me hated myself for making him feel that way. I had to move on, though. This time, for good. This time, forever.
I turned away and fought every urge to look over my shoulder as I headed to the line. I handed over my boarding pass and stepped onto the jet bridge.
Ignoring the tears that refused to stop falling, I pulled out my phone and turned it off. I didn’t want James to say or send any more of those heart-wrenching words that might influence me to change my mind.
As I settled into my seat, I looked through the window and my heart immediately dropped. James was standing by the windows in the gate area, staring right at me.
I couldn’t handle seeing the look on his gorgeous face, so I took a deep breath and pulled the shade shut.
“Miss?” A flight attendant stepped next to me, a packet of Kleenex in hand. “Miss, would you like something to drink before takeoff?”
“Vodka. Keep them coming while we’re in the air, please.”
I cried the rest of the flight.
Forever
One week later
James
“YOU REALLY ARE OUT to sabotage this company from the top, aren’t you? Why would you ever let Miss Kennedy resign?”
“She was the best marketing director we’d ever had, and she was just getting started!”
“We’re holding a vote to oust you from this company at the end of the month. We can’t take this shit anymore.”
I deleted the remaining voicemails and leaned back in my chair. Today was definitely my worst day on the job to date, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the board pushed up their ousting meeting to this weekend. I’d fumbled my way through the morning conference calls, forgotten to show up to an important brewing presentation, and worst of all, I’d forgotten to wear a damn suit.
Dressed in jeans and a white T-shirt, I was sitting in my boardroom instead of my office. I needed a place to escape and think about Kate.
Since I was now incapable of getting more than three hours of sleep a night, I was spending all my mental energy replaying episodes of “When Kate Was Here” whenever I could. Her interview, her laughter, her sex.
Her bent over her desk.
She dominated my thoughts so much that I didn’t even have the energy to fire people anymore. (Which was quite an issue because there were three people in the Customer Service department who definitely deserved it right now.)
I wasn’t being myself at all, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be the same. For now, I honestly wanted to be left the hell alone.
Opening my inbox, I sent Shannon a quick email.
SUBJECT: THIS WEEK.
Don’t allow anyone to come into my office or the board room, and cancel all of my appointments.
Also: Can you let me know if Kate received my flowers at her NYC apartment?
Sean Holmes
CEO of Pier Autumn Coffee
HER RESPONSE WAS INSTANT.
SUBJECT: RE: THIS WEEK.
Consider everything officially cancelled. I’ll make sure that no one gets into your office or your boardroom.
Also: They were delivered, but she sent them back to the store, sir. Would you like me to send them again?
Shannon
I SIGHED, DIDN’T BOTHER writing back.
Instead, I started drafting a new apology letter to Kate.
Maybe that will make her come back to me.
When I was in the middle of writing, ‘I’m willing to make this up to you physically and emotionally—but especially physically since I think I’ve stressed you out more often lately,” the door to the boardroom opened and I damn near lost it.
“Shannon,” I said, adding a new clause to my letter. “I specifically said that I didn’t want any interruptions this week. These interruptions include you.”
“What about me?” The soft sound of Kate’s voice made me look up.
Looking stunning as ever in a low cut, and completely unprofessional red dress, Kate stepped into the room and took my breath away. Her dark hair was hanging in loose curls that fell over her shoulders, and she was wearing silver stilettos that showed off her long legs.
