Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 86240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86240 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Kelsey shifted in her jump seat that lined the cargo plane and stared out at nothing as the plane shook slightly with turbulence. I could tell she was hesitant to talk, but I wasn’t going to let her avoid the conversation any longer.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me,” I said, placing a hand on her arm. “It’s none of my business.”
“It’s complicated,” she said, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.
“Complicated how?” I pressed, my curiosity piqued.
She sighed heavily, finally turning to face me. “He’s my boss, and he’s made it clear he won’t cross that line.”
My eyebrows shot up. “Did you make a move first?”
“Not exactly,” she admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly. “We almost kissed, but he stopped and then made that announcement. Things have been weird since.”
I nodded slowly. “But you have feelings?”
Kelsey looked at me with a mixture of sadness and frustration. “Yes, I do. And it’s not just a crush or infatuation. I really care about him. But it’s like I can’t do anything about it because of our professional relationship. I don’t want to lose my job, you know? And I don’t want things to continue to be weird between us.”
I could see the internal conflict written all over her face. She was torn between her heart and her mind. I didn’t envy her position.
“Have you thought about finding another job?” I asked tentatively.
Kelsey shook her head. “I love my job. And it’s not just about Griffin. I’m finally doing work that I’m passionate about. I don’t want to throw that away just because of my feelings for him.”
I could understand where she was coming from. It wasn’t easy to find a job that you loved. But at the same time, I didn’t want her to suffer in silence.
“Well, if you ever need to talk about it, I’m here.”
“Nothing to talk about. Everyone knows he’s a massive flirt. I’m just another in a long list of women he’s playing games with.”
I didn’t know what to say, as I didn’t know him well enough to contradict that statement. So I leaned back and stared at the cargo strapped in the middle of the open area and thought about my own situation with a man I was falling deeply for.
“What a pair we make,” I muttered.
“Seems to me your man has declared his intentions,” she said, lifting up my wrist where the bracelet lay.
“It’s just jewelry.”
Her eyebrow arched in silent question. “This isn’t just any jewelry. A man can buy you an expensive bracelet that means nothing. But a man doesn’t buy you a Cartier LOVE bracelet for no reason. He knew exactly what you would assume. And if he didn’t want you to think that way, he’d have bought a different bracelet at Cartier.”
Lizzy and Bailey had said the same thing. I looked up as the memory of him putting it on me replayed in my head. “You think so?”
She pursed her lips. “I know so.”
The rest of the plane ride, I tried not to relish the idea that maybe there was something real and solid between Shawn and me. I didn’t want to hope for nothing.
When we landed, Kelsey had arranged a ride home for me. Griffin felt it was okay if I went home, but I should be cautious. I think Kelsey had made it clear to him my intention regardless of his thoughts on the matter. Kelsey couldn’t come with me. She had to stay and make sure the equipment was unloaded and got to the right place.
I could have gone to the field office first, but I needed my car. I didn’t want to rely on a ride home from work not organized by Griffin’s team. They had already done so much. Plus, I needed to have answers to all the questions I would be grilled on when I revealed myself to my boss. So, home first. Field office later.
It was an odd experience when I arrived at my apartment. It was almost like seeing it for the first time since I hadn’t lived here long before I was taken that second time. The entire walk to my door, I kept looking over my shoulder.
Inside, I bolted the locks before I put my keys in the bowl on the side table near the door. I dropped my bag on the floor as I walked into the living room. All the window blinds were closed, so I couldn’t see outside, but I imagined the view. I swept the apartment as if it were an op. The only thing I didn’t do was call out clear after checking each room. The kitchen was small and there wasn’t really a hiding place other than behind the island. Once that was clear, I headed to my bedroom on the right.
The door was open as I’d left it, and the bed was still made. I made another right into the walk-in closet, which had been the deciding factor in taking this place. At the end was my bathroom. All was clear.