Chapter 35
35
LINCOLN
I know she wanted me to take more time to think about it. As I walked away from her, it only took about ten minutes for me to determine that I didn’t see any other option but for me to jump headfirst into this. I love her. I have to do this for her—for myself. We deserve our own happily ever after. Despite what my parents made me feel like, growing up, I deserve this. I have to repeat that to myself a couple of times so I believe it.
I matter.
My happiness matters.
Her happiness matters.
But since I know she wants me to take more time to think about it, I give it a week. A full week of waiting for fear or doubt to creep in. They never do. All time does is make it clearer to me that this is right. I’m miserable without her. I miss the simple things, like watching her blush when I give her a compliment or watching her eyes light up with appreciation when we go out to eat. She has struggled for so long that she appreciates good food.
I love being around her brightness. I love being around someone who doesn’t take what she has for granted because she knows what it feels like to not have the luxury of knowing where the money for your next meal is coming from.
I thought long and hard yesterday about how I wanted to show her that I was ready. I want her to know that I’m ready for this to be real.
Here I am now, sitting at my computer as I type out the email.
From: [email protected]
Subject: Company Policy: Workplace Relationship Disclosure
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to formally disclose my relationship with employee Kylie Ricci. We want to ensure compliance and transparency with company policies regarding workplace relationships.
Please let me know if there are any steps we need to take or forms we need to fill out to be in good standing with our policies.
I am happy to discuss this further.
Best regards,
Lincoln Monroe
CEO and President of Nova Sky Airlines
I look over the email one more time and press Send. Leaning back in my chair, I smile as I think about Kylie receiving it. I just hope it comes across as romantic and not pushy. I am out of my depths and might need some grace from her in the beginning as I navigate these new waters.
My goal is to get back to work, but I find myself watching the clock as the minutes go by, wondering if she’s gotten the email yet.
Should I go and walk by her desk? Is that weird?
I huff out a breath of frustration. Being out of control of the situation is uncomfortable. It’s not something I like to do, but I know this is part of being in a relationship. I have to get used to the idea that I can’t try to control our relationship so that I can feel safer.
A knock at my door startles me from my thoughts. My heart sinks into my stomach when I realize it’s not Kylie.
“Don’t look so disappointed to see me,” Roy says with a smirk.
“Sorry,” I reply as I sit up straight in my chair. “What can I do for you?”
“I was just wondering if you were aware that they are dragging their feet with the contract we proposed. Mitch is claiming he wants to go over the numbers again .”
“I have already drafted an email. I’ll forward it to you so you can take a look. I’m not playing this game with him any longer. It’s a waste of time. We have gone over the number five times already. We have budged where we felt there was wiggle room. It’s done. He has to make a decision.”
“Agreed. This is getting ridiculous. Go ahead and send the email. I’ll let you know what I think.”
“Sounds good.”
He steps away and nods at someone standing behind him. Suddenly, Kylie moves forward, and my heart skips a beat.. My first emotion is relief as I see her walk into my office.
She’s here. She doesn’t look furious with me. That’s a good sign.
She takes another tentative step toward my desk. She looks unsure of herself. Instead of inserting myself, I wait for her to speak first. I want to know what she’s really feeling right now.
“I got your email,” she says softly.
I swallow hard, unsure of where we stand. “I see.”
It’s a lame response. I know it is, but I can’t find any words that feel appropriate.
Her face remains serious. “That was a bold move.”
My shoulders fall as I realize I fucked up. “I’m sorry. I thought it was going to be romantic. I should have consulted with you before I sent the email. I suck at this. I knew I would suck at this. I was …”
She starts laughing and takes steps until she’s standing in front of me.
I look up at her from my seat. “I’m glad my misery is so amusing to you.”
“It’s not that.” She giggles. “I’m laughing because you misunderstood what I meant.”
I cock my head to the side. “What did you mean?”
“I meant, it was a bold move to email HR to let them know about us before we even really settled into an official relationship. Isn’t that a big deal to go public with a relationship you are having with an employee?”
I smile up at her. “Are you saying we aren’t official? Because from where I stand, there’s no other option but for us to be together. Do you disagree?”
She pretends to contemplate my words. A shiver of fear runs through me.
She takes me by surprise when she laughs, then falls into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck. “I’m kidding. I just wanted to make you sweat, like you did to me by taking a week to decide.”
“Hey,” I say in defense. “I knew within ten minutes that I was ready. I just thought you wouldn’t believe me unless I took time.”
She smiles. “Just kiss me.”
Now, that I can do. I waste no time, placing my hand at the back of her neck and pulling her down until our lips meet. I bury my hands in her thick hair as my lips part to welcome hers. It’s a slow, purposeful kiss that reflects the intensity of the moment.
She’s pure temptation. All I want is to close my door and have my way with her right here on my desk. But I know that professionalism is of utmost importance now that we are about to go public with our relationship.
I pull away. The excited light is vivid in her eyes. In this moment, I know I will never tire of seeing those green eyes staring back at me with such adoration. I still can’t believe I’m the one on the receiving end of them. I’ll never take that for granted.
A week later I sit in a booth at a restaurant as I wait for Kylie and Ben to show up. I’m slightly nervous at the idea of telling Ben about us. I hope he doesn’t get mad. This is an important step for me and Kylie to take, and it has to go well. He’s too important to her for there to be any other option.
I catch a glimpse of her hair at the front door. She steps forward, and I watch as she scans the room. When her eyes land on me, I raise my hand slightly, and she smiles.
It makes my heart flutter in my chest. Ben trails behind her, looking down at his phone like a typical teenager.
She stops at the booth and slides in opposite me. Ben looks up, and his eyes open wide when he sees me.
“Lincoln,” he says with a rise in his voice. “What are you doing here?”
He takes a wary seat next to his sister. Kylie gives me a knowing smile, which eases some of my nerves.
“I thought I’d join you two for dinner. Is that all right?” I ask as I lean my arms on the table.
He looks over at Kylie, who nods at him to let him know she is okay with it.
“It’s fine with me.” He shrugs, then pulls open the menu.
I chuckle at how he doesn’t try to even consider what my presence means. What would it be like to have such childlike innocence? I don’t think I ever experienced that. My childhood was far too cruel. I’m so proud of Kylie for managing to provide Ben with a childhood that hasn’t stolen that from him despite what they had to deal with.
Once we place our order, Kylie shifts in her seat to face Ben. “Hey, buddy. Lincoln and I have something to tell you.”
He looks between the two of us. “What?”
“So, I know it might seem sudden, but Lincoln and I have been dating for a little while.”
He seems oddly calm and unfazed by the news. His eyebrows rise as he considers it. “That’s kind of weird. Isn’t he your boss? If you were dating, why didn’t you know about him being my therapist?”
Kylie tucks her lips in to hide her grin. “Those are good questions. We didn’t talk much about our personal lives for a while. We were just seeing if we liked each other enough to get more serious. He’s the president of the company, so he is technically my boss, but I’m an assistant for another executive now.”
“Hmm. Okay.” He takes a sip of his drink as he lets the news sink in. “You’re rich, aren’t you?” he says as he looks at me.
Kylie gasps. “Ben! You can’t ask someone that. That’s very inappropriate.”
He looks baffled by this. It’s enough to make me bark out a loud laugh.
“It’s fine, Kylie.”
She gives me an apologetic smile. “So, you are okay with this? It doesn’t make you uncomfortable that he’s your therapist and I’m dating him?”
“No. Why would I be uncomfortable with that? He’s cool. Now I get to see him outside of my appointments. Right? Especially since Gretchen comes back soon.”
His words warm my heart. I feel so much pride, knowing that the most important person to the woman I love feels that way about me.
“Yes. You will be seeing a lot more of me.” I wink at Kylie.
Her cheeks blush. I still find it so damn sweet that I can get that reaction out of her so easily.
“And Gretchen will be back soon, which will be good. It’s more important to separate your personal relationships from your therapist.”
“Then it works out that you’re dating him. So, I still get to see him after Gretchen comes back.”
Kylie rubs the top of his head. “I’m glad you feel that way. I wouldn’t ever put you in a situation that made you uncomfortable.”
We switch subjects to his basketball for a while until our pizza gets to our table.
Ben grabs a slice and takes a big bite. “I have one more question.” He looks over at Kylie first. “You may not like the question.”
She looks at him quizzically. “Um … o-kaaay.”
His eyes meet mine. “If you guys get married … does that mean we’ll be billionaires too?”
Kylie’s face goes into her hands as she shakes her head back and forth. I laugh harder than I have in a long, long time. Maybe ever. My eyes start to water from the intensity of which my body shakes with hysterics. Kylie now has her hands on her cheeks, completely mortified.
“How about we focus on the fact that we’re dating right now? Maybe let me and your sister decide if we’re moving toward marriage.”
He shrugs his shoulders. “Okay. It’d be pretty cool to be a billionaire.”
Kylie mouths, I’m so sorry , to me.
I realize just how right this feels. The three of us sitting together, enjoying dinner.
It feels like I’ve finally found what I was looking for all my life. A family.
It’s true what they say—you can’t choose the family you were born into, but you can choose the family you live with.
I look at the two in front of me and think that I would choose them every single time.