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Taking deep breaths, I struggle to drive away my humiliating memory of sobbing and begging him. That he thought I could do such a thing leads me to conclude that he isn’t the man for me. A man who truly knows and loves me would not believe I went to the press to tarnish his name. Gareth should have known that I hate publicity. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have allowed Hunter to interview me about the election project. He knew that, but he still chose not to believe me.
Blinking back tears, I walk to the fridge to get the marshmallows. Someday, he’ll learn the truth. By then, it will be too late. I will have moved on, and then I’ll laugh in his face.
Stop thinking about him.
“Mom!” I call again when she doesn’t come into the kitchen after a few minutes. She has been acting weird all morning. I wonder if she’s worried about our finances. I saved a tidy sum while working for Gareth. It will tide us over for a couple of months, and then I have to start looking for a job again. Maybe in the New Year. I’m not up for it right now. If my new boss is a drop-dead gorgeous, ripped man with midnight-black hair, green eyes, a strong chin, firm lips that can kiss me into oblivion, a smile that sends trickles up my spine and… I quickly shake my head from the image of Gareth. If my new boss is anything like him, I’ll quit.
This time, I’ll research the CEO of tech companies before applying. That’s if I’ll be hired. I was surprised when some former schoolmates called me to ask questions. Maybe I should change my name and assume a new identity. It will help me get a job, but it won’t take away the ache in my heart.
“Just like Mom said, I’ll get over him and take it as a life lesson. This will teach me to always keep things professional in the workplace.”
“Talking to yourself again?”
Blushing, I turn to look at my mom. My brows shoot up when I notice that she is dressed to go out.
“Hmm. That looks delicious. Save me a piece, please.”
I frown. “Where are you going? I thought we would eat and finish putting up Christmas decorations.”
Evading my eyes, she answers, “I’m sorry, dear. I have to go to Betty’s. She’s a little bit under the weather.”
I hide my smile under my hand. I think my mom has a boyfriend she doesn’t want to talk to me about yet. Her sudden desire to take off when she enjoys eating apple pie and hanging Christmas ornaments tells me she’s hiding something, or someone, from me.
“Alright, Mom.” I give her a knowing look, but it falls flat because she’s already out the door.
“See you later, darling.”
I should be happy for her, but being left alone in the house will only push me back into depression. I’ll start thinking about Gareth and what should have been and cry and feel sorry for myself.
After making my cup of cocoa and adding marshmallows, I take it with a slice of pie to the living room. Watching sitcoms ought to cheer me up. When I’m snuggled on the sofa with a thick blanket, I hear a knock on the door. Grumbling, I push myself up and trudge to the front door.
I blink with disbelief when I see the hunk of a man standing there with flecks of snow on his hair and carrying a large bouquet of red roses and what looks like a box of exotic chocolate. Surely I must have dozed off on the sofa, and I’m dreaming.
“Hailey. May I come in?”
Nope. This isn’t a dream. The icy blast and the voice I’ve missed so much tell me it isn’t. Joy gushes inside me, but then it’s quickly replaced with anger.
“What are you doing here?” I fold my arms across my chest and regard him with the same loathing he accorded me in his office the last time we met.
“Hailey, please let me come in.”
I so much want to, but I remember how I wept in his office with no pity from him.
“Please leave before I call the cops.”
“Hailey, I’m—”
I slam the door in his face before he completes his sentence. Shivers rush up my body as I try to calm my pounding heart. I whirl around in shock when the door opens, and he steps into the house.
“This is a small town. I assume you don’t want your neighbors knowing all about our business,” he informs me with a grimace as he closes the door.
“Oh. Why would that bother me? After all, I told Hunter everything about us for all and sundry to read.”
He winces, and I enjoy seeing the pain in his eyes. If he thinks he can waltz in here looking devilishly handsome to offer a quick apology, and that’s that, he has another thing coming.
“Hailey, please. Please listen to me.”
“The way you listened to me when I came to your office?”
