Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
“You got it.”
Ariel looked up at Tim. He stood in the doorway with a half smile on his face. “Got what?” she asked.
He shook his head in amazement. “The promotion. Un-frikkin believable. Sanders promoted you.”
The file dropped from her fingers as his words shot through her brain and squeezed with clarity. “You’re joking.”
“Not. He wants you to lead the team for the Rosebud account. Damn, Ariel, he’s sending you to Chicago.”
The reality of her situation crashed over her. Sheer excitement fought with pure emotion. Grant. She would have to leave Grant.
Ariel pushed the thought aside and stood up. “Is this official? How do you know?” she demanded as she made her way through the corridor to her manager’s office. “Don’t start this crap with me that a rumor was started and I have to keep it quiet. You know I don’t play that game well.”
He trotted after her. “Don’t know what you have against the grapevine, it works for me. Never wrong, either. You can’t just barge into his office and announce you heard a rumor. Ariel, wait till he offers you the position, for God’s sake.”
She knocked on the door and tossed him a cheeky grin. “Too late. I won’t mention your name.” Tim’s groan echoed in the background as she shut the door behind her.
* * *
She was moving to Chicago.
Ariel sat in her office with her blinds drawn, struggling to process the last few hours.
Tim had told the truth. It was hers. As the head of the Creative Services Department, she’d closed a few big accounts into G a question, hung heavily in the air. She felt as if she was drowning in the dark inkiness of his eyes, pulling her downward, urging her to tell him the truth.
She was in love with him.
She was moving to Chicago.
Ariel swallowed the words and deliberately slid back a few inches, letting her hand drop from his body. Grant seemed to sense her decision and allowed his gaze to cool; allowed her to separate from him. For now.
But she knew it was a warning.
The truth would be coming soon. She only wanted to enjoy being with him a little longer without complications. Without decisions or regret straining the connection that burned so hot and bright. Maybe they’d be able to figure out a way to stay together.
She just needed more time.
“I better go. You have work to do.” Grant rose and packed up the basket, kissed her goodbye and left. Ariel stared at the closed door for a long time before forcing herself back to work.