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The ringing of my phone from the pocket of my jacket interrupts me.
“Sorry,” I mumble before going to retrieve it.
I answer the call in a corner of the room. When it’s over, I turn to Jenna. She’s already dressed.
“Let me guess,” she says as she stands up. “Duty calls?”
“Yeah.” I sigh. “I’ve got to go back to the office to take care of something, but I’ll be back. We can have dinner together. If you’re staying, that is.”
Jenna shakes her head. “I think I’ll head back. I’ve got some stuff to do, too.”
“I understand.” I place my hands on her hips. “Maybe I’ll have Mike pick you up on Saturday and we can spend the weekend together?”
She nods. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good.” I give her another quick kiss. “I’ll see you soon.”
“See you.”
I grab the rest of my clothes and drag my body out of that room. I stop in another room to put them on before walking to the front door.
I hate this. I hate leaving Jenna. Again. Why do I seem to always end up doing that?
I’ll make it up to her. I promise I will.
My phone buzzes inside my jacket. I let out a deep breath.
In the meantime, I have a crisis to avert at work.
~
Crisis averted, I think as I sit back in my leather chair.
It took me longer than I thought – and a lot more effort – to sort out the misunderstanding one of my senior managers had with a top supplier, but I managed to do it. It’s a good thing Jenna didn’t stay for dinner, though, because it’s already long past dinnertime.
I place my hand on my forehead and let out a sigh.
Next time, I’ll prepare a romantic dinner for her. Maybe I’ll cook for her again? But then the preparation would take too much time, time I could spend with her instead. I should just let the chef handle it, and while he’s busy in the kitchen, Jenna and I can watch a movie together. Or play a board game like we used to do. Or we can –
A knock on the door breaks into my thoughts. I straighten up in my seat and clasp my hands on top of my desk.
“Come in.”
Victor enters the room with an envelope tucked in his arm. I let out a sigh.
“Don’t tell me we’ve got more problems,” I tell him.
He raises his hands. “Well, I’m sorry if I’ve played the part of the harbinger of doom more times than I can count, but no. I’m just here to drop off Leon McMillan’s resignation papers. And also to congratulate you on a job well done.”
He puts the envelope on my desk. I tap my fingers on it.
“Do you think I should fire him?” I ask Victor.
He shrugs. “I think that’s entirely up to you.”
I say nothing because I’m not satisfied with his answer.
“Well, he did mess up on his first big assignment,” Victor says. “Still, he’s proven reliable in the past. Maybe he deserves another chance?”
This time, I say nothing because I’m thinking of what he just said.
To fire or to keep on board? That is the question. I decide I’ll think about the answer later.
“Thank you, Victor. You can go home now.”
“Are you heading home, too?” he asks me.
“Soon. There’s no rush since there isn’t anyone waiting for me anyway.”
Victor gives me a puzzled look. “What about Ms. Holt? I thought you went to her house.”
“I did,” I admit.
“And didn’t you go skiing together?”
“Well, we didn’t go skiing,” I answer. “We just went to a ski resort.”
“So you didn’t ski?”
“I did. She tried.”
And failed. Miserably. Still, I think she should try again next time.
Victor nods. “But you were together? Are you together?”
I take a moment to consider if I should answer his personal question, then decide to indulge him. He’s proven loyal to me.
“Yes, we are together. But she hasn’t moved in with me, if that’s what you’re asking. Frankly, I don’t think she can since she’s so busy working for NASA and all.”
Victor says nothing. I can tell there’s something on his mind, though.
“What is it?” I ask him.
He looks at me. “Did she say she was working at NASA?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Because when you asked me to find out where she lived, I did some other research about her, too. I wasn’t vetting her or anything. I had no ill intentions. I just wanted to know who she was since you seemed to be very interested in her.”
I lean forward. “And? What did you find?”
“Again, this isn’t personal and I mean no offense…”
“Victor.” I give him a warning glance.
He draws a deep breath. “I’m afraid she’s not being completely honest with you.”
Chapter Ten
Jenna
“You haven’t told Dax yet?” I hear the dismay in Emily’s voice.
I’m sure it’s written all over her face, too, which is why I’m glad I’m facing the fireplace and not her.
