Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 89666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89666 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
The situation had become even funnier after it had turned out that he was there to interview for the position of my assistant.
But despite that shared moment, he’d always been one hundred percent professional. Yes, he was brilliant, efficient, analytical, detail oriented, and driven. Yet, within a year, I’d discovered he was also thoughtful and compassionate. No matter how busy he was, he always had time to help someone out, no matter who they were. He had a soft spot for everyone he met, and that only made me want to protect that vulnerability.
Each day, he’d been there at my side, making every hour easier. He’d listened to me complaining and my crazy ideas. He’d seemed to know naturally when I just needed someone to listen and when I’d needed suggestions.
What had driven me crazy was that he was always there to help me, but I’d never felt like I could return the favor. Not once had he shared anything personal. Until a couple of months ago, I’d known nothing about his family or his financial situation. To the entire world, he presented this guy who had everything under control and didn’t have a single problem.
Being able to listen to his problems and hold him had given me more joy that I would have ever thought possible.
“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you quiet for this long. And that smile is getting a little creepy.” Pierce’s comments broke into my rambling thoughts.
“Shut up.”
“Got it bad, huh?”
“Totally. I want to marry him. I want to marry him, lock him up in this house, and keep him safe from the world while spoiling him in every way possible.”
Pierce chuckled and shook his head. “That a lot worse than bad. That’s a felony.”
“Shut up.”
My friend shut up and couldn’t speak for nearly an hour because I was too busy telling him all the things that I loved about Byron from the very first time I’d met him until just a few days ago. I told him about Byron’s family and his financial situation of supporting his disabled brother and mother all on his own. At the same time, I finished my plate, and we both picked at the charcuterie board Carol had also pulled together.
I finally stopped talking. My stomach was full and my heart didn’t feel as if it were still carrying around a dozen knives jabbed into it.
“So, let me get this straight. On a whim, you convinced him to risk this delicate balancing act that’s his life. Meanwhile, you couldn’t be bothered to take the steps to protect him from losing everything because…why?”
I winced at Pierce’s words, but I couldn’t argue with him. “At first, my reasoning was that if I did it too quickly, and we discovered we weren’t a good fit, I’d never get him back as my assistant. We might be horrible as a couple, but I knew we were great work partners. And then later…I might have gotten caught up in all the fun we were having. I didn’t want to rush losing him. For almost two months, I was getting to see him during the day and a few evenings a week. Everything fell apart so fast and unexpectedly.”
Pierce reached across the counter and smacked me on the side of the head. “You were greedy and selfish.”
“And I ruined his life. I’m not surprised he doesn’t want to see me. Who would want to date a selfish asshole?”
Pierce groaned and smacked me again, which earned a glare. “You were selfish, but you’re not normally selfish. I’m sure Byron knows that.”
“I need to fix this. To help him. Even if he doesn’t want to see me, I’ve got to make this right by him. And not by offering him money. He’s proud and doesn’t want to be taken care of. He needs a job.”
Pierce rolled his eyes. “God, I hope you don’t win him back. He’s a catch, and I plan to steal him from you.”
“Fuck you! He won’t have you.”
My dear, sweet friend flashed me a wicked grin. “Wanna bet?”
A boulder sank into my stomach, and I worried about losing everything I’d just eaten. Who the fuck was I kidding? Pierce was tall, dark, and fucking sexy. He could be smooth and charming when he set his mind to it. Why wouldn’t Byron fall for him? And Pierce probably would fall in love with Byron.
Didn’t I want Byron to be happy? Wasn’t that the important thing in all this? Of course, I was being selfish.
“Holy fuck, Cor! I was kidding. I’m not going to steal your man away.” He slapped his hand on the marble counter, jolting me from my bleak thoughts. “I might be a dick, but I like to believe that I’m not that bad. At least, not to my friends.” He straightened, a dubious frown on his face, as if he were having serious doubts about my sanity. I didn’t blame him. I was beginning to have doubts about my sanity.