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Alex was different than any woman I’d dated, not only because of the effortless way we got along, but because she couldn’t simply pick up and jet off on a business trip with me. She wasn’t a freelancer or someone with a trust fund; she didn’t work from home. She had people who counted on her time, even if I was her main client right now. Could she have come with me and called it work? Yes. But she would’ve had to cancel all her volunteer efforts, which wasn’t something I was going to force on her.
We had FaceTime sessions every night that were strictly professional, but the texting? That was part of our timed relationship agreement.
Thirty days.
I had that much time with her without professional restrictions, and the first week of it would be burned on a damn business trip.
Alex: My instinct is the fact that I got out of the relationship with Jarred before I messed up and married him.
Anger bubbled in my veins at the sight of his name in the text, but I took a deep breath and focused hard on the three dots indicating she was still typing to help ground me.
Knowing her asshole ex’s identity—thanks to the overstepping reporter last night—was a double-edged sword. On one side, knowing who he was gave me the possibility to track him down, especially with every instinct in my body screaming at me to repay every hurt he’d ever delivered to Alex. And on the other side, it presented an opportunity to practice my self-control with the emotional growth Alex and I were working so hard on, because I could ruin his life. It was within my very privileged hands.
But I wouldn’t.
Couldn’t.
Because that wouldn’t impress Alex, and getting revenge on a toxic ex started my spiral downward into my episodes in the first place—something else Alex had helped me realize after all her work with me.
Alex: But I don’t want my greatest accomplishment to be tied to him, because he sure as hell doesn’t deserve any credit. So, I’d say beyond the clients I’ve had the honor of helping in the past, the accomplishment that brightens my heart the most is my volunteer time at the animal shelter and the adoption drives I help organize that led to over sixty animals finding their forever homes last year.
Me: That is something to be proud of. You’re amazing in so many ways.
Fuck me, the woman had a heart bigger than I’d ever be able to fathom, and I was lucky as hell just to be a part of her life in even the smallest way.
Alex: Thank you. What’s your biggest accomplishment?
Alex: Take your time too. I know you have an entire book of accomplishments to choose from ??.
I shook my head, leaning farther back in my chair in the makeshift office I’d set up in the hotel. I glanced out the window, taking in the impeccable view of NYC.
Me: Getting you to agree to give me thirty days is on the top of my list right now.
I fired off the text before I could question it or hold it back. It was the damn truth, and that terrified me. Did I build an empire from scratch and ensure my position in the billionaires club? Absolutely. But that seemed to pale in comparison to the sense of honor and pride I felt in managing to be worthy of Alex’s attention outside of professional obligation.
Did that make me a sucker for her? Maybe, but I didn’t give a fuck, as long as I was hers.
Alex: LOL. You’re in NYC right now negotiating a multi-million-dollar deal, the Hurricanes are on a winning streak, and you just donated a fat check to Doctors Without Borders last night, but you’re choosing thirty days with me as your all-time?
Me: Everything you listed are things I’m proud of, but that’s business. You’re not. I know a win when it’s a win.
Alex: Wow. No pressure on me or anything. Who can live up to that?
Panic stormed through me, making me sit up straighter in my chair as I typed furiously on my phone.
Me: That’s not what I meant.
Me: You don’t have to top, live up to, or surpass anything in my life. You’re perfect the way you are.
Me: I’m just happy you’re in my life at all.
Fuck, I was messing everything up. How could I explain to her that she didn’t need to compare herself to anything else in my life? How could I explain she was what I was most excited about without scaring her off?
Alex: Relax, Ethan. I was joking. Mostly. ??
I blew out a breath, my nerves easing.
Me: Tone is hard to interpret through text.
Alex: But it makes it more fun for sure.
Me: I’m going to cut this trip short. I don’t want to be away from you for an entire week.
