Chapter 30
Chapter
Thirty
IRIS
I’m trying to finish up some work before my next meeting, but my nerves are getting the best of me.
Today’s meeting is unlike any we’ve ever had before.
We’re telling our employees that we’re dating. That Max and I are a couple.
I know that for the most part everyone will be supportive, but there will always be those assholes that say I slept my way to the top. Little do they know, I don’t even want to be at the top.
My phone rings, and I answer it without looking at the screen.
“This is Iris,” I say as I answer.
“Iris, love, this is Julius. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you.”
I lean back in my seat and begin to twirl my pen between my fingers.
It’s only been two weeks, but I figured he got the message when I never called. I never truly thought I would hear from them again.
“Julius, it’s good to hear from you. How was your vacation, excuse me, holiday?” I say, making him laugh.
“Nice catch. It was glorious. I didn’t want to come back. That’s why I’m calling late. I stayed an extra week.”
I smile, looking out my office window at the city. “I don’t blame you.”
“So, you know why I’m calling.”
“I do.”
“I hope you have a different answer for me than you did last time,” he confesses.
“Unfortunately, I do not. While I am extremely flattered you guys considered me, I’m going to have to turn you down. I want to stay with The Williamson Group. This is where I started my career, and, to be honest, this is where I want to end it.”
Julius sighs. “I was afraid you would say that. Especially after your boss called. There’s nothing I can do to change your mind?”
“Max called you?” I ask.
He hadn’t told me that. Not that I’m upset.
“Yes, the lad seemed quite desperate to keep you. I don’t blame you for wanting to stay when you have the CEO scared to lose you. You must be one hell of a girl. One we want on our team.”
“I’m flattered. Really, but I’m staying. I appreciate the offer, though. I hope you find someone who clicks well within the company,” I tell him.
“It will be our loss then. I’m sorry we couldn’t make it work. I wish you the best with your future. Don’t hesitate to call if you ever decide you want to switch things up.”
“I promise to keep you in mind.”
I don’t bother telling him that I would never leave Max. Especially not now when I finally have everything I want.
We say our goodbyes, and I feel good about my decision. When I finally hang up, I feel as if a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.
That’s officially done and over with. It’s behind me for good, and I have no regrets.
Someone knocks on my door, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Come in.”
Max steps inside. “Are you ready? It’s time.”
“I am,” I say as I get up.
Max meets me halfway and pulls me into his arms and kisses me lightly.
“We shouldn’t be doing this here. Not yet, at least,” I tell him quietly.
“It’s fine. Trust me.”
“Come on, you two,” Chad says from the hallway.
Max places his hand on my lower back and ushers me forward. Side by side, we leave my office and head to the conference room that’s already filling up. We head to the front of the room and wait for everyone to join us.
“Hey Iris,” Annabelle says as she takes a seat.
“Hey, how are you?” I ask.
“Not as good as you.” She groans as she rests her hand on her pregnant belly.
“Uncomfortable?”
“More than you can imagine. That’s one of the things they don’t warn you about when it comes to pregnancy. I don’t miss it,” Charlotte says.
Annabelle groans. “Rub it in that your kid is already on the outside.”
Charlotte turns to me and looks me over. “Do you have something to tell me? Because you’re positively glowing. You look…happy.”
“I am, and as for news, you’ll know soon enough.”
“It’s time,” Max murmurs in my ear.
I nod as I look around the room.
“Everyone, can we get your attention please?” Max says.
Butterflies fill me as the room quiets down. This is it. No going back now. Not that I ever would.
“Thank you everyone for joining us last minute, but Iris and I have something we would like to discuss with all of you,” Max tells them.
“Is this about the move? Are we all being fired?” one of the guys says, but I don’t know who he is.
He must be new.
“No, it’s not about the move,” I reassure him before I look back over at Max. “And no one is getting fired.”
Max dips his head and takes my hand in his.
“Iris and I wanted to officially tell all of you that we are seeing each other romantically. Before you ask, yes, all the board knows, and the necessary paperwork has been filed. Now I know most of you don’t care about our love lives, but we are making an effort to be transparent with all of you. ”
“Rest assured, while at work we will be nothing but the professionals you know,” I tack on.
Mira, a girl from accounting, frowns and raises her hand.
“Yes?” I ask, looking at her.
“Wait, I thought you guys were already dating? Like since you took over,” she says, making the room laugh.
Max and I share a smile.
“No, Max and I were friends, just friends for years. This has been a long time in the making, but it’s new for us,” I tell her.
“Does anyone have any questions?” Max asks.
Everyone shakes their heads no.
“All right, then get out of here. In fact, why don’t you all head home? Have the rest of the day off,” Max tells them.
“Are you sure?” Chad asks.
“Positive,” Max says.
A cheer goes up, and people get up from their seats and head out.
Annabelle and Charlotte walk over to me.
“I’m sorry, I have to run, but I’m so happy for you,” Charlotte says as she hugs me.
“All good. Go,” I tell her.
When she steps back and leaves, Annabelle takes her place.
“Congratulations,” Annabelle says.
“Thank you,” I tell her when she pulls back.
“No wonder you look happier,” Annabelle teases, making me blush.
“Hush.”
Max comes over and rests his hand on my lower back.
Annabelle shoots him a smile. “Congratulations, you two.”
“Thank you.”
“I have to ask, when did you two get together?” she asks as she crosses her arms over her chest.
“It’s been a minute. Why?” I say vaguely.
“Well, because we had a bet going on about when you two would finally come out. I need to know who the winner is.”
“Hey, did you ask?” Emmett as he comes up.
“Asking now,” she tells him before looking back at us. “So?”
“Wait, you guys had a bet on us? On when we would officially become a couple?” Max asks.
“Yeah, man. I mean, we could all see it. Honestly, I thought you two were just trying to keep it hush-hush and were failing.” Emmett shrugs.
Max turns to me and shakes his head. “Can you believe this shit?”
“Actually, I can. I bet if the guys knew, they would have gotten in on it,” I say, referring to Mason, Eli, and Brantley.
“Shit, they probably have their own bets going on,” he mutters quietly.
I turn back to our friends. “As for who the winner of the bet is…you’ll never know. The exact date is going to stay between us.”
Both of them groan in disbelief.
“This is bullshit,” Annabelle mutters, making me laugh.
“Sorry, not sorry. Now get out of here. Go spend some time at home,” I tell her.
As I watch Annabelle walk away, I can’t help but wonder, was I the last to know how Max felt? Has it always been that obvious, but I just didn’t see it?
MAX
“How do you think that went?” I ask as we leave the conference room behind.
“Good. I didn’t expect any pushback, but it was still nice to see that everyone was supportive.”
“I feel the same way.”
I can’t help but smile as I see that everyone is making their way to the elevators to leave for the day. It’s not very often we let people leave early, so I’m glad they are taking advantage of it while they can.
Now all I have to do is lock up my office and take Iris home.
Iris and home. Two words I never thought I would get to use in the same sentence, but fuck if it isn’t right.
“You didn’t have to give everyone the rest of the day off,” she says as we step into my office.
I walk over to my desk and lean against it before pulling her into my arms. “Trust me, I didn’t plan on it, but it worked out.”
“Look at you being a big softie,” she teases as she fiddles with my collar.
“You like it.”
“I do.”
Leaning down, I kiss her softly and rightness settles over me.
This. This is what it’s all about. For years I’ve wondered what her lips would feel like against mine. I’ve dreamed about holding her just like this. I just never knew that it could be better than I thought it would be.
Now she’s mine, and I’m never letting her go.
“What now?” she asks softly.
“Now, we give our PR team the go-ahead to publicly announce our relationship.”
She shakes her head slowly but smiles. “Are you sure that’s necessary?”
“Very. Unless you aren’t sure.” He gives me a concerned look.
“No, I want to. It’s just surreal, is all. I mean, who’s going to care about another office romance?”
“Most people don’t, but we aren’t most people. I’m not most people.”
“Rich people problems,” she teases, making me chuckle.
“Are you ready to be in the spotlight my rich people problems will bring?” I quip.
“You know what? I am. Granted, I’ve been in the spotlight with you for years, so I don’t really see anything changing, but I’m ready.”
She’s not wrong. For years the press has speculated about our relationship and my dating life in general. It especially ramped up after Mason announced he was officially off the market. Now though, I can admit out loud what I’ve always known.
The world is going to know that there is only one woman for me, and she’s been standing next to me all along.
“Are you sure you’re ready?” I double-check once more.
I still feel like she will change her mind at any moment. I feel clingy and needy, but she never makes fun of me for it. She reassures me every single time.
Iris smiles at me, stepping into my arms. “I’ve been ready for ten years. Are you ready?”
“Yeah, I am.” I pull her closer, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips.
“Good.”
“Good,” I mimic her, making her smile.
“So…since we have the rest of the day off, what do you think about going home and spending some time alone?”
I hum as I bury my face in her neck.
“I like the way you think,” I murmur against her skin.
A throat clearing makes us both groan.
“Sorry you guys, but I need some signatures before we all take off for the day,” Chad says, not sounding the least bit sorry.
“I’m surprised you didn’t run out of here like your ass was on fire the moment Max said everyone could leave,” Iris teases him as she steps back.
“I thought about it, but unfortunately for the three of us, these can’t wait,” he says, holding up a stack of papers.
“What do you have?” I ask as I hold out my hand.
“I have your announcement for final approval. I tweaked it some from what you had previously prepared, as one of the hotels in Canada is asking for upgrades to be made. Apparently they had a pipe issue, and it needs to be fixed. I also have the papers here for properties that might interest you two in Boston that might be good investments,” Chad says as he hands the papers over.
“Canada…have we gone to the Canadian location yet?” Iris asks.
“No, we haven’t.”
“I won’t lie, I forgot it existed,” Chad says.
I look over at Iris. “What do you say? Want to make a trip to Canada?”
“Soon, but not immediately,” she says.
I nod in agreement.
I sign what needs to be signed, separate what needs to be reviewed, and approve a temporary fix for the hotel until Iris and I can get up there and see it for ourselves.
“Here you go. Make sure the PR team gets the announcement and see if you can fit in a trip for us by the end of the week,” I tell Chad as I hand it all over.
“Will do. You two lovebirds have fun, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Chad quips.
“So our options are open,” Iris teases, making us laugh.
“Later,” Chad calls over his shoulder as he walks out.
Iris turns toward me. “Ready?”
“Ready.”
I get up and move to her. We lock up my office and stop in hers so she can grab her bag and do the same.
“Hey, I have an idea.”
“Do tell,” Iris says as we step into the elevator.
“What do you think about making a quick trip to Boston? I think there are some people there who would love to see us.”
Iris hums and taps her lower lip with her pointer finger. “Depends. Will we be taking the private jet?”
“We can. Why?”
“What would you say if I told you I have this fantasy about joining the mile high club?”
I pull her into me and let her feel exactly how I feel about it. She sucks in a breath as her eyes dilate.
“Does that tell you how I feel about that?”
“I don’t know, maybe,” she sasses.
“I hope you know that just for that lip, I’m going to edge the fuck out of you,” I warn.
“Do you promise?” she says as she pulls me out of the elevator.
“You can fucking bet on it, baby.”
As I follow behind her, I can’t help but smile.
I don’t know what the future holds for us, but I know with Iris by my side, it will all work out the way it’s meant to. And personally? I’m excited to see what happens next.