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The only person she could think of who knew that was Austin. Because every year on her birthday, he would buy her favorite cake and bring it into the office.
That wasn’t so beastly. One of his better qualities, Felicity guessed.
She ate her cake and tried to make her way around the room to speak to as many of her colleagues as she could—even Miles Fortune, who was remarkably civil and complimentary, thanking her for her hard work and dedication to Fortune Investments. He mentioned not a word about the kiss with Austin in the hallway of the Roosevelt Hotel, but neither did he offer the standard if you want to come back, there will always be a place for you.
Felicity’s sixth sense told her that after witnessing the kiss, ol’ Miles considered her a liability, and, despite her hard work and dedication, he was happy to see her go.
And it was time.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized Austin had never really been interested in her. He’d kissed her back, but that had been the alcohol talking. Then Miles had interrupted, and the rest was history.
She disposed of her cake plate and started making her way to the door when he walked in—Austin, with his sister Savannah in tow.
Her heart leaped into her throat.
“Oh, Felicity, I’m so happy to see you.” Savannah pulled her into a hug. “Austin is taking me to the airport. We wanted to stop by before we left.”
“Where’s Chaz?” Felicity asked.
“He went home right after the ball. I stayed and helped Mom with some things, but now it’s time for me to get back. I’m so sad that you’re leaving FI. Where are you going?”
“I’m graduating tomorrow, and then I’m going to take some time off.”
Even though her gaze was trained on Savannah, in Felicity’s peripheral vision, she could see Austin standing behind his sister. Even more, she could feel his gaze on her. She resisted for as long as she could, but finally, she glanced up at him.
He looked as bereft as she felt. If it wouldn’t have caused such a scene, she would’ve screamed at him. What? Dammit! What do you want from me? You’re not the one who gets to stand there looking all sad. You’re the one who wanted things this way.
“Well, I hate it that you’re leaving, but the time off is well deserved. I know that workaholic brother of mine thinks that working is everyone’s favorite pastime.” Savannah turned to include Austin in the conversation. “Someday he’ll learn.”
Felicity forced her smile back into place, because it felt as if it was slipping. “I don’t know. I think it’s his nature. But I need to go. It was great to see you, Savannah. I’m bad at goodbyes. So I’m going to walk out of here like it’s any other day.”
Only, if it was any other day, she would’ve stayed until after everyone else was gone, rather than being the first one to leave. But this was a new beginning.
“Could you stay for just a few more minutes?” Austin asked.
Felicity blinked. She really didn’t want to, but if she said no in front of Savannah, his sister would know something was wrong.
“Sure, Austin.” Her voice shook a little and she hated herself for it. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves.
Thank goodness, Austin had already begun calling the room to order.
“May I have everyone’s attention, please?”
The room quieted in an instant, all eyes on Austin.
“I’m not going to lie,” Austin said. “I am pretty torn up today. Because what does one do when they are losing their right-hand person? No offense to you, George, but Felicity and I go way back. Sometimes I think she knows me better than I know myself.”
Oh, God, Austin, please don’t do this.
Despite the way she’d been able to hold herself together, she felt her composure starting to slip. She tried to remind herself, again, that this was all his doing. Well, not all his doing. She had been the one to initiate the kiss. But if he had wanted her to stay, he would’ve told her so, and things could’ve been quite different right now. But it was what it was, and she was not going to cry.
She didn’t even hear the rest of what Austin said, but the next thing she knew, he was gesturing toward a potted rosebush that was sitting on a nearby table. “This is for the greenhouse that I had installed in your backyard today.”
