Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
BELLAROSE
I stuff another sweater into my luggage, not bothering to fold it. I can feel Sheryl staring a hole into me from the doorway, but that’s nothing new. Anytime we cross paths, she glares at me.
Thankfully, since I’ve been crashing in West’s cabin, I only had to see her in our group activities. Her mouth wasn’t so biting when others were around, but I’m here now, and she’s blocking my exit.
“Planning another sleepover?” Sheryl says. How does she manage to make everything sound patronizing? It’s really a skill set. “How precious.”
There’s no point in having it out with her, so I keep packing.
Tonight is the last night of the retreat. Everyone’s leaving in the morning, and I wanted to have my stuff together. Of course I’m having another sleepover. Why wouldn’t I? Does she think I’d prefer sleeping next to her over West? Like that’s ever going to happen.
When I’m in bed with West, we talk for hours and make love. My chest starts to ache as I think about it ending in the morning. I suppose we could date long distance. Does that ever work? I know that I’m willing to try. Is West?
If I had the means and money, I’d be open to moving to where he lives. I know he has a corporation to run, but that hasn’t come up. He’s said he wants more, but it really hasn’t gone beyond that. As of tonight, time is officially running out.
“You’re making a fool of yourself,” she continues. “You know that, right?”
“Pretty sure that’s your specialty, Sheryl.” I zip my bag harder than necessary, a little surprised at myself. “Don’t be mad that West and I have a connection.”
“A connection,” she laughs, then her face twists. “You silly little girl. He’ll forget you by Monday. This was nothing but a trip hookup.”
“Whatever.” I shrug, though the words hurt.
“You think you’re special? You’re the one that’s ruined his life.
The board’s going to vote him out. They heard about the two of you, and he was already on thin ice about misappropriated funds.
” Her eyes rake over me. “You’ll be one big regret when that hammer comes down and he loses everything he’s built.
All for a little girl that wears cat ears. ”
My hands still.
“Oh, you didn’t know?” She leans against the doorframe, suddenly comfortable.
Sheryl is at her happiest when she’s hurting someone.
“He’s been avoiding you when others are around because he knows what he’s doing.
” Slowly a smile takes over her face. “Bellarose, did you think he was doing that for your benefit?” She laughs harder.
“You really don’t know how men operate.”
He doesn’t avoid me; he’s just not all over me in public. Not everyone is into PDA or others knowing their business.
“You’re lying,” I whisper.
“Am I?” She pushes off the frame. “Ask him. See if he tells you the truth about why he’s really keeping his distance.
Think about it. You really think West Hayes, who runs a billion-dollar company that he created, is going to show up anywhere with a woman who has pastel rainbow hair and kitten ears? ”
She doesn’t wait for me to answer. Instead, she starts laughing again while walking out of our cabin and leaving her poison in the air.
I stand there, my bag half-zipped as her words echo in my heart. Is West really going to lose his place at the company because of me? That would break my heart for him, even if he’s going to break mine too.
My phone buzzes, and I grab it out of my pocket.
Deidra: Bonfire’s starting. Are you coming?
Me: Is Rachel there?
Deidra: Yes
Good. I leave my cabin and head for the bonfire so I can talk with Rachel. I haven’t spoken to her much, but she’s always been kind. She’s the regional manager of the Midwest division. I’m going to quit before Sheryl can report anyone.
As I walk toward the bonfire, my kitten ears suddenly feel ridiculous.
Like wearing a costume I’ve outgrown but can’t take off.
My hair and ears are part of what makes me me.
I refuse to believe Sheryl about them being the reason West isn’t affectionate in public.
Maybe I am a silly girl for wearing them, but either way, I can’t work with Sheryl anymore.
I can’t have someone like her in my life.
The bonfire comes into view, and I see silhouettes of people gathered around.
Laughter carries on the breeze as I glance around, looking for West. I don’t see him, but I spot Rachel talking to someone from accounting.
I’ve always liked her. She’s efficient but not cruel, the way some managers can be.
When she sees me approaching, she smiles. “Bellarose, I was hoping to catch you before tomorrow. I was just talking about your work in graphics.”
“Thank you.” My voice sounds strange and somewhat distant. “I actually need to talk to you about something important.”
“Of course.” She touches my arm, guiding me away from the group so we’re more private. “Is everything all right? You seem upset.”
I open my mouth to lie, to make up some excuse about family or a new job opportunity, but her eyes hold genuine concern, and I can’t do it.
“I need to resign,” I said. “Effective immediately.”
Rachel’s eyebrows rise, but her expression softens rather than sharpens. “Resign? Bellarose, you’ve been one of our strongest performers. Is this about the retreat? Did something happen?”
I shake my head, my throat tightening. “It’s not a good fit anymore. I can’t—” I gesture vaguely at the cabins, the people, and everything else. “I need to leave.”
She studies me for a moment, then steps closer, lowering her voice. “Is someone making you uncomfortable? Because if there’s harassment, we have protocols to protect you. I don’t want to lose you over something that someone else has done.”
Her kindness almost breaks me. I feel tears prick my eyes and blink them away.
“It’s not like that,” I whisper. “I just can’t be here anymore. Can you process it, please? I don’t want to make a scene.”
Rachel’s hand settles on my shoulder to keep me steady.
“How about I process it as a leave of absence first? That will give you time to think over what you want to do. Bellarose, you’re talented.
Whatever’s happening, don’t let it drive you away from something you love doing and that you’re exceptional at. ”
I almost laugh because I don’t love doing this job. I love creating, but I can do that anywhere.
“I need a clean break,” I say. “Please, Rachel.”
She sighs, but she’s nodding. “All right. I’ll start the paperwork. But I’m putting my number in your phone so you can call me if you need anything. References, recommendations, someone to talk to. Promise me.”
“Promise,” I manage to get out. She’s being so sweet.
She gives me a soft smile as she squeezes my arm one last time. “Also, you should speak with Mr. Hayes first.”
“Rachel—”
“Oh, she’ll be talking to me,” West says. Shit, he’s right behind me. “If you’d give us a moment, Rachel.”
“Of course,” Rachel tells him.
“Also, before you go, I’d like you to handle terminating Sheryl.”
“Consider it done,” Rachel says, then she winks at me before she steps away.
When I turn around, West is standing there with his hands in his pockets. His gaze is fixed on me like I’m the only person in the world. The distance between us feels like miles, and I can see the tension in his shoulders. He wants to move toward me, but he’s holding himself back.
But his eyes—God, his eyes—they burn with everything he whispered to me this morning.
I’m the one to look away first. I have to. I’m in love with this man, and I don’t know what happens next. It scares me in ways I don’t understand.
He crosses the distance between us, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze.
“You’re quitting,” he says, and it’s not a question.
“How did you know?”
“I have my ways,” he says, his jaw tightening.
“It’s better like this. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but you can’t be my boss—”
“I’m not your boss,” he says, cutting me off. “I resigned this afternoon.”
My breath catches before I’m able to recover. “What?”
“Bellarose, I told you I wanted more. I spent today in board meetings negotiating my exit. Not because of you but for you. Because I won’t have anyone whispering that you slept your way to anything. Because wanting more with you means closing this chapter of my life.”
He wraps his arms around me, pulling my body against his. We’re right here in front of everyone, and I practically feel their eyes on us.
“I want a family,” he continues. “I want all of it with you, and I can’t have that while I’m running Nibbles. I want to be a husband who is present and not sitting in meetings all day. And I want to be a present father to our children so I can help raise them and watch them grow up.”
Tears start to burn in my eyes. “West.”
His other hand cups my jaw while his thumb brushes my cheek like I’m something precious.
“You walked into my life wearing cat ears and a smile that stopped my heart,” he says, his voice dropping. “You made me remember what it felt like to want something just for myself. Not for the company, not for the shareholders. For me.”
The bonfire crackles behind us, and I hear someone make a shushing sound. Clearly they are listening to us.
“Your laugh,” he continues, his forehead touching mine. “The way you light up when you talk about your designs. How you trust so openly even when you’ve been hurt. You breathed life back into me, Bellarose. I was going through the motions until you got stuck in that damn tree.”
A small laugh leaves me.
“I need you,” he says, rough and certain. “And don’t forget, kitten.” He leans in next to my ear so only I can hear. “We haven’t been careful. You could be carrying my baby right now. And God help me, I hope you are. I want that with you. I want everything.”
His thumb strokes my bottom lip as he pulls back to look me in the eyes.
“I love you, Bellarose, and I’m not letting you go. Wherever you go, I’m coming with you.”
Tears spill over and down my cheeks. “I love you too,” I whisper. “I was so scared you were going to break my heart.”
“Never.” He kisses my tears, my cheeks, my jaw. “Marry me. Not because of the baby, not because of any of this. Marry me because I can’t imagine a single morning without you.”
He reaches into his pocket and produces a ring box before he drops to one knee right there in the dirt.
“Bellarose Fontaine,” he says loudly enough for the watching crowd to hear. “Will you marry me?”
He opens the box to reveal the ring, and a small gasp leaves me.
West truly sees me, and this ring is the proof.
I look down at the massive, brilliant diamond catching the light and see that it’s cradled perfectly in the sleek shape of a cat’s head.
It’s a beautiful symbol that he loves every piece of who I am, even my wildest quirks.
I’m crying and laughing and nodding before he finishes the question, but eventually I’m able to form words. “Yes, yes, you ridiculous man. Yes.”
He slides the ring on my finger and then practically jumps up to kiss me like the world is ending. His hands are in my hair, and my arms are around his neck. His kiss is claiming and passionate, and somewhere in the distance, I hear people cheering for us.
When we finally break apart, I’m breathless.
“Let’s go home,” West says, and I smile up at him.
“Which home?”
“Ours,” he says, smiling back.
I nod, thinking that’s all that matters.
West sweeps me up, literally off my feet, and I laugh against his neck. He carries me toward the parking lot, leaving the bonfire and the retreat and everything else behind.