we were dating, but Keats was trying to stop my hiccups and the invite to meet his family was something he said he did with all of his assistants. It was completely innocent...”
“But it didn’t look that way,” Bianca interjects.
I shake my head. “No. It looked like we were a couple, and from there, it just took off. The Newmans saw us as a strong team inside and outside of the office, so we went with it.”
Arietta scratches her chin. “Did they think you were a couple when you went to their anniversary party?”
I nod. “They did. They assumed we were together.”
Arietta drops her gaze to the mug in front of her. I don’t want her to feel disappointed in me. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Arietta.”
She glances up. “Don’t be sorry. Everyone has secrets they don’t always share.”
“We’re good?” I ask, hopeful that this won’t change anything between us.
“We’re good,” she reassures me with a pat of her hand on my forearm. “Drink up, ladies. I need to go back to work soon.”
***
I took my time in the shower. It was both relaxing and invigorating. Now that I know that the Newmans have narrowed the field of potential agents to two, I’m more determined than ever to get Keats that contract.
I run a brush through my hair.
I’ve always had curly hair. I despised it when I was a teenager, but as I got older, I started to embrace it.
I love it now.
After applying moisturizer to my face, I set my ass down on the corner of my bed.
When I reach for my phone, I’m surprised to see a missed called from Royce Knott.
I debate whether or not I should listen to the voicemail message. I’m happy working with Keats. It feels as though we’re building a strong team. I may not be chasing my dream of a career in public relations, but this is the next best thing.
All of my experience and insight is helping me be the best assistant I can to Keats.
I finally tap the voicemail message icon to listen.
“Maren? Jesus. I am so sorry about what happened to you. I need to see you. Name the time and place. I want to make this right.”
The message ends with me staring at my phone.
I play it again.
The voice belongs to Royce Knott, but I’ve never heard compassion in his tone before.
I don’t like leaving anything unfinished, so I press the button to call his number.
Chapter 54
Keats
One moment the world can be in the palm of your hand, and the next second, it can turn around and slap you across the face leaving you senseless.
That’s what I feel now.
I’m staring into a diner looking at the woman I love in the arms of another man. I saw a flash of red hair as I turned the corner. I knew it was Maren. That shot of need inside of me told me that. I tried to catch up, but she disappeared into the diner before I could reach her.
I don’t know who the fuck the guy is that Maren is hugging.
She’s supposed to be at my townhouse getting ready for the dinner tonight. Instead, she’s clutching onto a tall guy with blond hair who looks like he wants to make her every dream come true.
I know regret when I see it on a man’s face.
It’s there on mine when I wake up every morning.
I used women for years to bury my feelings. I didn’t care enough about them to remember their names or what they liked in bed.
When they called the next day, I’d answer with an excuse about being busy.
I was a coward.
I’m not a coward anymore.
I move toward the door of the diner because I’m not going down without a fight. I love Maren. I know she loves me.
I feel it.
Whoever the man is that she’s clinging to, he needs to get in line behind me, because I already gave my heart to Maren, and I don’t want it back.
Just as I’m about to reach for the door handle, my phone rings.
I curse under my breath even though no one around me will fine me for swearing.
I tug my phone out of my pocket.
Earl Newman’s name lights up the screen of my phone.
I silence it because he needs to wait.
I hold the door open for a woman with a stroller. She struggles to maneuver the wheels through the narrow entryway, so I help out. I take over the handle and guide it through all while the