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“I do love him,” I admitted, and it was the first time I’d said it out loud.
“I think he loves you too,” my father said, and my heart skipped about nine beats.
“You don’t know that,” I whispered.
“I know my best friend. I know you. And I know that you both threatened to quit today just because you were afraid to be around each other.”
“That just happened? How do you—”
“I have eyes everywhere,” he said mysteriously, and I choked out a laugh, shaking my head and wiping tears from my eyes.
“I can’t believe you,” I accused.
“Was I wrong? You and Roarke work well together. You could be a team.”
“He doesn’t want that,” I said.
“Oh, so I don’t know but you do?” he asked. “Talk to him. He’s still in his office, likely brooding about you.”
I sighed. “I can’t.”
My father shook his head. “Too proud. Just like your mother.”
“Just like you, too,” I warned, and my father smiled.
“Maybe. But I let go of my pride to get your mother, and look what we created.”
He put one hand on my face and tears sprang to my eyes again.
“Don’t make me cry anymore, Dad,” I said in a liquid voice, and he laughed.
“Chin up, darling. It’ll all work out.”
He left my office quietly, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I paced around my office, trying to figure out what to do, but I got no closer to an answer after half an hour of exercise and my feet just hurt from my heels.
Could I let go of my pride and tell Roarke how I really felt?
ROARKE
I satin the dark in my half empty office, thinking. Could I really give up all I had worked for just because of a woman? Magda Riley was one hell of a woman.
She was going to make partner because she deserved it, but at the same time, I couldn’t see myself working as closely with her as I worked with Richard. Not without wanting her. Not without watching her and seeing how she talked to other male associates or clients... I could admit to being a jealous man, and especially when I had feelings for someone.
I certainly had feelings for Magda. I was in love, whether I liked it or not, and now I didn’t know what to do about it. She clearly didn't feel the same way... did she?
Richard was right. The only way that I would find out was by talking to her, actually telling her how I felt—but that thought made my stomach feel sick. What if she didn’t feel the same way? What if she hated me for being upset with her about everything?
I’d never been the type of person to sit back and let things happen. I’d always made my own way, ever since I was a teenager, and that wasn’t about to change now. I had to put everything out there, lie my heart on the line.
I got up and walked to my office door, nearly opening it before I chickened out. I knew that I should tell Richard, first, and that this was an impulse decision, but I couldn’t face a future of being around Magda Riley but not being able to have her.
I walked to her office and opened the door, not bothering to knock.
She startled at her desk, standing behind it.
“Roarke? What are you doing here?”
