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If she had to say that one more time today she would scream.
“Maybe you should go on home and rest up,” he suggested.
“I’ve stuck it out this long. I can hang in the rest of the day.”
She wasn’t going to have the new CEO think she couldn’t handle her job no matter what. Or that she expected any favors.
Once she might have thought she knew Trace, but now she felt he was a stranger. The man who had shown her a fabulous time for three magical weeks was barely recognizable in the hard face opposite her.
Trace looked back at the papers in the folder, quickly scanning them. Cath was on pins and needles watching him. Each second seemed to move in agonizing slowness. With him focused on the report, she could study him with impunity.
There were new lines around his eyes, his hair was cut shorter, his business suit fit to perfection. He looked like the successful businessman he was. Had circumstances been different, she would have been immensely proud of him for achieving such a high level position at a relatively young age. He was younger than she was and already CEO of a major corporation.
She’d hesitated dating him when she’d discovered he was four years younger. She’d never been sure exactly why this dynamic thirty-four-year-old man had wanted her company. She soon forgot the age difference. They had so much in common, from liking similar kinds of movies and books, to enjoying walks along the deserted San Francisco’s streets after the businesses had closed for the day. Exploring out-of-the-way streets, eating at little restaurants that were mere holes-in-the-wall had been exciting and new with Trace.
There had been certain topics tacitly off-limits. She rarely talked about her work, nor did he talk about his. She’d been too caught up in the dizzying feelings around him, the physical attraction as well as the stimulation of their conversation. He’d been someone special.
He glanced up and caught her eye. She froze. He couldn’t read minds, could he?
Closing the folder he put it to the left side of the desk where a stack of folders rested.
“I’ll review this in greater detail tonight. If I have further questions, I’ll call.”
Taking that as a sign the interview was over, she rose swaying slightly, feeling light-headed. She gave a polite smile and turned to go. Her hand was already reaching for the knob when he spoke again. Glancing over her shoulder she saw he’d risen and was leaning casually against the side of the desk, resting on one hip.
“How are you really, Cath?” he said in that low, sexy voice of his.
She shrugged, turning slightly to better see him.
“At the time I wondered why you didn’t call. In light of today’s events, I understand perfectly.”
“If there had been any other way—” he began.
She shook her head.
“We wouldn’t have had that long together anyway. I’m headed for Brussels in January.” She looked at him closely. “I am still headed for Brussels, right?”
He nodded.
“From what Thomas Ventner and Anthony Deerfield have said, you are by far the best person qualified for the position. I haven’t seen anything to contradict that.”
She turned back to the door. Suddenly she almost doubled over in pain. Her stomach was cramping.Please don’t let me be sick in Trace’s office!
“What the hell?” Trace dashed around his desk to get to Cath. She clutched her abdomen, almost bent in half. The pain was sharp, but already beginning to ease. She tried breathing again. She’d be mortified if she threw up over her new boss’s shoes.
“Are you in pain?” he asked the obvious.
“I need a rest room. I think I’m going to be sick again. I’m sorry!”
So much for looking professional. With the way her luck was going, she’d infected him and he’d have the flu by the end of the week.
“Ellie,” Trace said, opening the door. “Can you take Cath to a rest room?”
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
Seeing Cath with her hand over her mouth, she swiftly put her arm around her shoulders.
“We better hurry, right?”
