Chapter 21
Charlotte
Tip #21: Dinner at home with your boss-turned-boyfriend can be romantic… unless work calls.
T he aroma of garlic and tomatoes filled my cozy kitchen as I stirred the simmering pasta sauce. Isaac stood next to me at the counter, chopping fresh basil with surprising dexterity for a guy who usually stayed in an office rather than a kitchen.
“You know”—I bumped his hip playfully with mine—“for a numbers guy, you’re not half bad with a knife.”
He grinned. “I contain multitudes, Charlotte. My skills extend far beyond the boardroom.”
“Care to elaborate on these mysterious talents?”
Before Isaac could respond, Ella strolled into the kitchen, digging around the cavernous innards of her canvas tote bag. “Alright lovebirds, I’m heading out. Try not to burn the house down while I’m gone.”
I smiled at her. “We’ll do our best to restrain ourselves from any pyrotechnics, thanks.”
“I was talking about burning the place up with your sweet, sweet love, but I’m happy to hear arson is off the table for the evening.” Ella winked suggestively at me. “The food smells amazing, by the way.”
Ella’s joke made me physically unable to look at Isaac in my embarrassment, so I stared at the pot of sauce. “Thanks. You’re meeting up with some friends tonight, right?”
“Yeah, but I’ve got to swing by my temperature-controlled storage unit first. You know, the one with all Nate’s stuff? I can’t remember how long I rented it for, and I need to make sure it doesn’t auto renew. With Nate’s reassignment coming up soon, I’ll be moving all of his stuff out of there.”
At the mention of moving, my stomach did an uncomfortable flip. I had planned that I’d leave Fox Creek before Ella did, but since Isaac’s and my relationship had changed, this morning I’d rejected both of the offers I’d received from the two companies I’d been interviewing with.
I was trying not to think too deeply about the decision, so I pushed the thought aside. “Well, have fun tonight, and good luck with the storage unit.”
“Thanks,” Ella said. “You two enjoy your romantic dinner—and don’t make out too long in the living room. You’ll traumatize my sweet, innocent guppies.”
“The same guppies that are reproducing so fast you have to get a new tank every week?” I asked.
Isaac, ever the gentleman, ignored the guppy comment and smiled at my housemate. “Have a good night, Ella. Drive safely.”
“Thanks. Buh-bye!” Ella gave us a finger wave before she disappeared into the laundry room, then exited via the garage door.
“Watch out for deer.” I shouted the Wisconsin-ism after her.
Then I waited until I heard the sound of the garage door opening and Ella’s car starting before risking a glance at Isaac.
He looked utterly relaxed and at home in my space. The black jeans and blue Henley were a far cry from his usual tailored suits. I was seeing an even more personal side to Isaac than usual, one that only his family had likely seen.
Isaac peered over my shoulder at the bubbling sauce. “It smells delicious,” he said. “Almost as good as you look in that sweater.”
I snorted, glancing down at my oversized sweater and leggings. “Don’t think I don’t know you’re using your smooth talker abilities on me. I’m in my comfiest, schlumpiest house clothes, and you know it.”
“And yet,” Isaac’s low voice tickled my ear, “you’ve never looked more beautiful.”
Slowly—giving me plenty of time to step away if I wanted to—he wrapped his arms around my waist, and a delicious shiver ran through me at the feel of the solid warmth of his chest against my back. Every nerve in my body was aware of his proximity, as if his presence consumed me.
It was still new, this physical closeness between us, but it felt right.
“Thank you.” My throat squeezed from all the emotion stirring in my chest. (It seemed Isaac had the unfortunate ability to turn me into a complete sap.)
“Of course.” Isaac pressed a kiss to my temple. “So. What else can I do to help? I see the table’s already set.”
“Could you grab the garlic bread from the oven and the salad from the fridge?”
Isaac made a noise that vibrated in his chest and that I felt in my back. “That would mean letting go of you.”
“Sad,” I said.
“So sad,” he agreed.
“But it’s a necessary evil if we want to eat.”
“Very well, if I must.” Isaac squeezed my waist, then stepped away, crossing the small kitchen to open the fridge door.
Things had definitely changed between Isaac and I after that late night in the office—in the best possible way. I’d figuratively let Isaac in, and we were proving to be an even better match than I could have dared to imagine.
Time would only tell if I’d made the right decision.
“Are you all packed for Switzerland?” Isaac asked as he dug around in the fridge. “Your trip is coming up quickly.”
“Almost.” I gave the sauce a final stir. “I’m keeping an eye on the weather, though. Mountain climates are tricky.”
Isaac set the salad on the counter and grabbed some oven mitts.
I stepped away from the stovetop to give him room.
“Smart thinking.” He pulled the garlic bread out of the oven, and the smell of butter and herbs filled the air. “Did that guide I recommended work out?”
I nodded enthusiastically. “She’s been amazing. She made some excursion reservations for me and helped line up transportation. Thank you again for putting us in touch.”
Isaac waved off my thanks. “Of course. I’m just glad you’ll get to experience Switzerland properly. You’ll enjoy it immensely. Although I’m going to miss you while you’re gone.”
I laughed as I shed my frilly apron. “That’s very sweet of you to say.”
“I’m not just saying it.” Isaac’s tone and expression were serious, but I could feel his playfulness in the air. “To channel some of Samuel’s flair for drama, I’ll waste away while pining for you from afar.”
“I can’t have that,” I teased. “That would be terrible for me. I suppose I’ll just have to bring you back some Swiss chocolate to ease your suffering.”
“That isn’t nearly a good enough replacement, but I suppose it will at least be a sign you were thinking of me while on your dream trip.”
We moved around each other with an easy familiarity, putting the finishing touches on our meal.
“Pasta’s ready,” I announced, turning off the stovetop.
“Perfect timing. The bread and salad are good to go.”
I turned, not realizing how close he was standing, and nearly collided with his chest. His hands shot out to steady me, warm and strong on my waist. I looked up, meeting those striking gray eyes, and felt my breath catch.
Darn it. I had it bad for him.
Isaac’s gaze softened as he bent toward me. My arms went around his neck, fingers threading through his dark hair. I could feel the solid planes of his chest as he pulled me close, and just as our lips were about to meet, a shrill ring cut through the air.
Isaac froze. “If that’s Samuel, I swear I’m going to key that precious Porsche of his.”
I laughed and let my arms fall away. “You’d better answer it, just in case.”
Isaac fished his phone out of his pocket with a grumble. His brow furrowed as he glanced at the screen. “It’s work,” he said, his tone shifting to something more formal.
I watched as he answered, his entire demeanor changing. Gone was the playful, relaxed Isaac from moments ago. In his place stood the efficient CFO of Warner Print, all business.
“This is Isaac,” he said.
I busied myself with arranging the food on the counter, trying not to eavesdrop but unable to ignore Isaac’s clipped tones. His brows knitted together, a deep frown etching lines around his mouth.
“What do you mean?” he asked sharply. After a pause, he motioned to me that he’d be a minute and strode out of the kitchen.
I spooned pasta onto my plate. The rich aroma of garlic and roasted tomatoes smelled amazing, but my appetite was fading. This was a great example of how Isaac took on too much. He needed to expand the team or he would burn out as Warner Print continued to grow.
When Isaac returned a few minutes later, my heart sank. His jaw was tight, frustration radiating off him in waves.
“I’m so sorry about that interruption,” he said, running a hand through his hair.
“What happened?” I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I already knew.
Isaac exhaled heavily. “There was an error in the most recent financial report. It’s not major, but it’ll take an hour or two to fix and rerun the numbers.”
I relaxed—that didn’t sound too bad. But then I noticed he was holding his jacket, and my stomach dropped.
“I hate to do this,” Isaac began, his expression genuinely remorseful, “but I need to go take care of this now.”
I blinked, shocked. “Tonight? But we have work tomorrow. Can’t we just fix it first thing in the morning? I’ll help you.”
Isaac shook his head. “I’d rather get it done now. These reports need to be perfect.”
I knew Isaac was a workaholic. I’d always known—it was why I’d been reluctant to go on dates with him in the first place. So this shouldn’t have been a surprise, but I guess I’d thought he was maybe giving up those habits.
“OK.” I picked up Isaac’s empty plate. “We can eat quickly and then you can go.”
“I’m sorry, Charlotte, but it really can’t wait.” His tone was apologetic, but I could see his mind was already at the office as he shrugged on his coat.
Hurt bloomed in my chest as I set his plate down on the counter. “Really? The office is closed, and while the information is vital, no one will be using it right now. Why can’t this wait half an hour?”
“Leaving it would be unprofessional,” he said, his voice softening. “I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
I watched Isaac, stunned, as he buttoned up his jacket. My throat tightened as I struggled to process what was happening.
“This isn’t what I want either,” Isaac assured me. “I’m sorry you’re upset, but these reports….”
“Need to be perfect. I know,” I finished for him, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “You know, it would be easier to keep them perfect if you’d expand the team. More eyes checking the numbers.”
Isaac started down the hallway, and I padded after him. “That’s not an option,” he said as we reached the living room. “It will just add more steps to my process. I’m sorry you’re upset about this—I don’t like it either, but the reports have to be correct.”
“I’m not upset because you want the numbers right,” I said. “I’m upset because you’re canceling our plans for something that isn’t time sensitive. It makes you uncomfortable to leave it.”
I watched for some kind of reaction—anything that signaled he saw this as something besides inevitable. The furrow of his eyebrows and the slant of his frown were signs he was disappointed like I was, but….
“I’m sorry you don’t like the situation,” he said. “I’ll go as fast as I reasonably can.”
“Couldn’t you please wait a few minutes so we can have dinner together?” My voice was painfully vulnerable. “I was really looking forward to this.”
“I’m sorry, Charlotte. Just eat without me,” he said.
His response hit me like a punch to the gut.
Isaac had always been up-front about how important Warner Print was to him, but I’d never realized how much it would hurt to come in second place to work.
And there was no other way to interpret this besides being less important than work. He wouldn’t delay it and didn’t even listen to me or my concerns.
“I should be done at a reasonable hour,” Isaac continued, oblivious to my inner turmoil. “I’ll call you when I finish. Maybe I can bring over some dessert?”
The dessert was an attempt to bribe me back into a good mood. Suddenly, I could see our future stretching out before me: wonderful and romantic right up until the moment Warner Print needed something. Then I’d be shunted to the sidelines, no matter what was going on at the moment.
I couldn’t even say for sure that if we stayed together and got married, and a Warner Print issue came up at our wedding that Isaac would be able to resist work for the sake of our relationship.
A hysterical laugh burned in my throat, but I pushed it down.
“Don’t,” I said, my voice coming out firmer than I’d intended. “Don’t get dessert.”
Isaac’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Why not?”
I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my expression neutral. I didn’t want him to see how much this was hurting me. “You shouldn’t come back here tonight, Isaac.”
Isaac stepped toward me, arms outstretched. I sidestepped his attempt at a hug, my heart clenching at the hurt that flashed across his face.
“Charlotte, I’m sorry. I’ll try to limit things like this from happening in the future,” he said, his voice low and earnest.
I crossed my arms, cold despite the warmth of my living room. “Does that mean you’ll expand the team?”
Isaac’s eyes darted to his watch, and I felt my stomach drop. Even now, during a discussion this important, he couldn’t fully focus on us.
“No, but I promise I’ll review our standard operating procedures. We’ll make sure the reports are more finalized before they reach my desk,” he said.
I couldn’t have asked for a clearer example. He was absolutely unwilling to change how he handled work, and I couldn’t change that about him.
The pain of this truth radiated through my chest, making it hard to breathe.
Isaac leaned in, his lips brushing my forehead. “What can I do to make it up to you?”
I tried to stay calm—I only had myself to blame for all the hurt we were about to go through. I should have known better.
“You can’t,” I said.
He shook his head, desperation creeping into his tone. “I’ll do anything, Charlotte. I love you. You’re my world.”
Looking into his eyes, I could see he meant it. Isaac truly did love me… just as much as he loved Warner Print.
“I know you love me as much as you can.” My voice was thick with unshed tears. “But tonight has made it clear to me that I can’t handle coming in second place to work.”
“You’re not in second place,” Isaac insisted, reaching for my hand. “There’s no one more important to me than you.”
I gave him a sad smile and pulled my hand away. “But work is equally as important, isn’t it?”
He hesitated, then nodded slowly. “I can’t deny that.”
“I know,” I said softly. “And I understand. But just as you have your priorities, I have mine. I want a life with a partner who doesn’t feel like spending time with me is an inconvenience.”
Isaac’s face contorted, a mix of panic and desperation I’d never seen on his usually composed features. “Charlotte, please,” he said. “You’re not an inconvenience. You could never be.”
My heart twisted, but I forced myself to stay strong. “Isaac, you just checked your watch while we were having this conversation. You can’t even focus on us right now without thinking about work.”
He glanced down at his wrist as if the watch had betrayed him. “That’s not what—I didn’t realize….”
“Exactly.” My eyes stung as I fought back tears. The scent of our abandoned dinner wafted from the kitchen, a cruel reminder of what could have been. “You don’t even notice how consumed you are by work. It’s like a reflex for you.”
Isaac adjusted his glasses. “I’ll make some changes.”
“Will you? You said you weren’t willing to expand the team, and changing procedures isn’t going to make any real impact on your workload.”
He opened his mouth, then closed it again, at a loss for words. I’d always valued Isaac’s bluntness. But his silence in the face of my realization only broke my heart, because it meant I was right.
“I love you, Isaac.” A few hot tears finally escaped my control and rolled down my cheeks. I impatiently wiped them away. “But I can’t be with someone who sees me as equal to their job. I need to be the priority.”
Isaac stepped closer. “You are my priority.”
I shook my head, stepping back. “No, I’m not. And that’s OK. Warner Print is important to you. I get it. But I need more than that.”
The silence that fell between us was deafening. I could hear the tick of Isaac’s watch—one that I’d gifted him—counting down the seconds of our relationship.
“I see,” Isaac said. Pain and confusion swirled in his eyes. “Charlotte, I love you. There must be something?—”
“I made my boundary clear, Isaac,” I said. “You need to make your decision.”
Isaac’s hands hovered over the buttons of his jacket, and for a moment I dared to hope. Maybe he’d choose me after all. Maybe he’d stay, or at least wait a little before leaving?—
Isaac opened the front door and stepped outside into the shadows of twilight. “I’m sorry,” he said, before closing the door behind him and shattering my heart.
I stared at the door for a few moments, hoping he’d come back. Even as I saw Isaac’s shadow pass across the front window out of the corner of my eye, I still wondered….
Then I heard the purr of his car starting, and I knew.
Isaac had chosen Warner Print.
Numb, I plopped down on the couch and stared unseeingly at one of Ella’s many guppy tanks.
It was over. All the special moments and shared laughter, the relationship and rapport that had slowly been building between us had come crashing down. After this, I wouldn’t even be able to face him as a friend.
Now we truly were just coworkers.
Shuddering sobs finally broke through the numb feeling, and I bawled as I pressed my hands to my face, trying to block out the pain.
Just as I had decided I needed a relationship that balanced life and work, Isaac had chosen Warner Print.
My face was hot and sticky with tears, but I kept on crying as my heart physically hurt, as if Isaac had physically ripped it in half. My chest stung, and it was hard to breathe.
This hurt so much worse than I’d imagined. I’d thought my love for Isaac was a recent development, but maybe I’d fallen for him a long time ago, despite knowing better.
Although each moment we’d spent together had been wonderful at the time, they now inflicted equal amounts of pain.
I cried alone in the house, dinner abandoned just like me. And for the first time since quitting, I didn’t have a shred of sadness about leaving Warner Print. I was so grateful I had only a few days left—I already didn’t know how I was going to face Isaac with the way things now were.