Gorgeous: Book One (Gorgeous #1) - Lisa Shelby Page 0,77

a life together. I got scared and all my insecurities came rushing back to the surface." His arms finally come around me, and he squeezes me tightly, kissing the top of my head. "I still think we could have worked this out together, but I get it."

"Baby, there is still so much to do and nothing is set in stone. I want to hear all of your ideas and start from scratch with you. I think we'll make a pretty great team."

"I agree but where will we be based out of?" I ask into his chest. "Who is going to hire and train my replacement at EVC? We need a logo, a website, a—"

Taking a step back and forcing me to look up at him, he does his best to reassure me. "Hey, slow down. We have all the time in the world and no need to worry about a logo and website tonight. We'll start it here at my home office, but really this is a business that can be run anywhere. I'm hoping to work out of Eclipse as often as possible."

"Ooh, that sounds nice."

He smiles agreeing with me. "And you don't need to worry about your replacement. The minute we walked off the dance floor, I got a text from Evelyn. She said retirement was boring her and she would be more than happy to come back. I think she knows you well enough to know you wouldn't want to go back to EVC after your inconsiderate boyfriend outed you in front of the world."

And there it is.

My world is flipping upside down, yet everything appears to be falling into place.

Even so, I think I better buckle up because this could be a bumpy ride.

19

Olivia

Four weeks later

The cool San Francisco breeze ruffles the papers on my desk, and I move my moon shaped paperweight on top of the pages to keep them in place. In place on my desk in Ronan's office. Ronan's beautiful office that he has handed over to me. This is where I run our new little business, Luna Enterprises.

He tried to give me his desk, but I refused so he had another one sent in for me and put it on the other side of the room. He offered to remodel and add shelves on what is now my side of the room, but I refused. It's perfect the way it is. Especially, when we're sharing the space.

Ronan is still working full time at EVC, and since our secret little business is still a secret, except from Ava and Evelyn, I spend a lot of time here alone, but the owner of Luna does still work from home from time to time, and he does take more lunch breaks than he used to. Although very distracting...I love it when he's here.

The last few weeks we have gotten all the basics done. Website, logo, stationary and supplies order, bank accounts opened, spreadsheets created, and the endless tasks that are involved when starting a brand-new enterprise. We've even found time to have dinner with Ben and Richie and their wives. I've also gone to lunch with Leslie and Allison, and they couldn't have been sweeter about understanding my circumstances.

I've loved every second of our new venture, and the fact that we're doing it together is exhilarating. I really was worried about not enjoying the work and even though we are just in the beginning stages, I think Ronan was right, and I'm going to love this path that we're on. The path he may have set in place, but that we are both navigating together. Side by side, as partners.

I hear the kitchen door, which leads to the garage, close, and when I hear his baritone voice yell, "Honey, I'm home," I get all tingly inside. I still have my apartment, but I'm never there. This multi-million-dollar house has become my home. If you had asked me three or four months ago if this would be my life, I would have laughed in your face. But here I am and here he is.

Here we are.

"Hey, babe. You're home early." It's a Tuesday, and I know he had a day full of meetings so it's odd that he's home already.

When he reaches my desk, he sets some paperwork down and gives me one of his sweet forehead kisses and says, "It's good to see you, gorgeous. I missed you."

"Is that the only reason you're home so early? You missed me?" I can smell the cigarette smoke