Lila #2
He pulled back and rested his hands on my shoulders, studying my face. “Are you okay? You seem off.”
Bowing my head, I gave it a small shake. “I went to see Cole this morning.”
He squeezed my arms gently, soothing me.
The sweet act of comfort immediately brought tears to my eyes. “I needed some closure. I wanted to tell him about school. And he was such an asshole.”
He scoffed. “Shocking.”
“And I yelled at him.”
“Which he deserved.” There was a hint of pride in his voice.
“And—”
“Shh,” he said, smoothing my hair. “It was kind of you to try and talk to him. But he’s not going to hear you right now.”
Annoyance coursed through me. I was trying to explain to him that I’d told Cole about us. That I was ready to go public because I was in love with him and damn the consequences.
But he was fixated on comforting me, which I didn’t need. I needed him to hear me and to talk to me.
I cleared my throat. “Can I ask you about something?”
He tilted his head and kissed me gently. “Anything,” he said against my lips. “Let’s head inside, though. I’ve got to get some things together before I leave.”
Silently, I followed him through the lobby. There were a few people here, and they gave us big smiles as we passed. Apparently, the news of the sale had spread already.
When we reached his office, he unplugged his laptop charger and wound it up, then started sorting through files.
“Last night, when we got home from dinner, you said you would pay for my graduate school.”
He looked up and smiled. Damn, it was that soft smile that made him impossible to resist. “Of course, babe. Whatever you need.”
Despite his sweet expression, that phrase made my anger well up again. “I don’t want that.”
He was still shuffling papers, not giving me his full attention. “It’s no problem. I’d be happy to.”
The urge to slink away and internalize all this was overwhelming. I didn’t want to bother him when he had so much going on, but this had been eating away at me, and I’d lost my nerve last night.
“Owen, please look at me.”
He did just that, his eyes wide and his lips parted in surprise.
Okay, maybe my tone was a little more yelly than I had intended.
Regardless, I had to say this. “I know you’re busy, and I’ll be quick, but this is important to me.”
He walked around and sat on the front of his desk, crossing his ankles. “I’ll always make time for you.”
God, he was so perfect. Instantly, my anger deflated. Even so, this was important, and I wouldn’t let myself push it aside.
“Your generosity is wonderful. And I know it comes from a good place. But when you offered, it didn’t feel good for me.”
He frowned. “I just wanted to help.”
“I know.” I licked my lips and took a single step closer.
“And that’s why I want to explain myself to you.
” I took a deep breath. “I want more with you. Something real. But I don’t want to be a kept woman.
I’ve lived that life. And I swore I’d never do it again.
I’m gonna get out of Lovewell on my own two feet.
” My hands were shaking, and my voice was entirely too loud.
But I had so much pent-up emotion inside me I couldn’t control myself.
He crossed his arms and hit me with a smile so warm I almost stumbled back. Here I was, lecturing him, almost yelling, and he was so calm and collected.
“Lila, there’s no one I believe in more than you. I’ve never seen such determination, and I’ve spent time with some incredibly successful people. I just want to invest in your potential in any way that I can. I’m so sorry if I insulted you or made you feel uncomfortable.”
My eyes stung and my throat went thick. God, he was such a grown-up. An actual man. He listened, he validated my feelings, and he apologized so willingly. What a fucking turn-on.
He opened his arms, and I walked right into them, kissing his handsome, bearded face.
“You are obnoxiously mature,” I complained.
He shrugged. “I want something real with you too. Don’t think I forgot about that part. But you have to realize that one of the keys to success is knowing when to accept help.”
“How about I promise to work on that?” I lifted a brow and nipped at his bottom lip.
He dropped his head back and groaned. “I hate that I need to leave. We have so much to talk about.”
“It’s fine. We can talk when you’re back.”
Pulling me close again, he hummed. “It’s only two days.”
I soaked in the feel of him, knowing it wouldn’t tide me over. “I’ll be here.”
He rested his chin on the top of my head. “I don’t want to leave you.”
If only we could spend the next few days talking and fucking and laughing as well as figuring out how the hell we were going to make this work when he was headed back to Boston soon and I was headed to New York.
But we were too close to the finish line now.
“I’m good.” I squeezed him in reassurance. “Just stay safe. There’s plenty of time to figure out the future.”
“As long as you’re in it, I don’t care.”
I pulled back. “I should let you get packed up. I’ve got my marching orders from Sara, and I won’t let you down, boss.”
His eyes softened. “You could never let me down.”
We regarded one another for a moment too long. I wanted to say it, but I couldn’t get the words out. It would be so natural and easy right now, here in the building where we’d first met.
But the words got stuck in my throat.
He coughed and took a step back. “I should get organized.”
I nodded, giving him some space and helping to arrange some of the papers spread out on his desk.
“You know, it’s only noon, and I’ve already yelled at two Hebert brothers today.”
Owen barked a laugh. “You want me to find Finn? You can tell him he’s too tall.”
“Ooh, I’ll tell him his hair is too shiny. That’ll wound him.”
“Or that, as a dad, he’s too perfect.”
I giggled.
“You should go for the hat trick. I find your yelling very sexy.” He gently smacked my ass.
I swatted him away. “Take care of yourself.”