lunch,” I begin, but Nora suddenly stiffens and tugs her hand quickly out of mine. “What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head once and drops into her chair.
“I’ll see to that, Carter.”
I glance around, and see Mary from HR walking away, down the hall to the lounge.
“Was that for her benefit?”
“Do you need anything else?” she asks rather than answer my question, and it immediately pisses me the fuck off.
“What in the hell is going on?”
“This is rule number one,” she reminds me, not meeting my eyes. Her hands shake a little as she reaches for a folder. “We need to remember to stick to the rules. No hanky-panky at work.”
“Screw that.” My voice is hard. The rules were before I’d spent the past few weeks with her. Before I freaking fell in love with her. “Are you embarrassed about us, Nora?”
“Of course not.”
“Is what we have something to be ashamed of?”
“No, that’s not—”
“Because if that’s the case, we’ll call it right now.”
“Carter, that’s not what I’m saying. Of course I’m not ashamed of you. It’s just not appropriate for the workplace, that’s all.”
“I see.” I step away, hurt more deeply than I would have expected. Her rejection hit a nerve I didn’t realize I had.
“Carter—”
“I don’t want to speak to you just now,” I say as I stride to my office. “I’ll let you know if I need you.”
I shut the door behind me and sit in the chair behind my desk, swiveling to look out at the city around me.
I was ready to propose to her. Clearly if she can’t handle being affectionate at work, we’re not on the same page.
How could I be so stupid? So sure that what I was feeling is reciprocated. It doesn’t mean we won’t ever be, but perhaps I’m rushing things.
Nora pulling away hurt. More than I want to admit.
“I quit.”
Nora barges into my office the next day. We didn’t spend the previous evening together. In fact, I’ve barely spoken to her since the altercation at her desk yesterday morning.
I was licking my wounds, and I needed some time to think. To adjust the plan.
Hell, my feelings were hurt and I was sulking. I can admit it.
Nora closes the door behind her and marches in, her sweet little chin in the air, and sits opposite me.
“Did you hear me?”
I arch a brow and lean on my desk. My heart is pounding. “In what capacity are you quitting? As my assistant, or my lover, companion, everything?”
Her lips twist and tears spring to her eyes, and I want to rush around the desk, pull her in my arms, and insist that everything’s going to be fine.
But I need her answer first.
“As your assistant.” She clears her throat. She’s on the verge of tears. “It’s the right thing to do.”
“From where I’m sitting, it’s not the right thing.” What in the hell would I do without her?
“Would you rather—” She goes pale, and it destroys me.
“No.” I do round the desk now and put my arms around her, lead her to the couch. “No, I don’t want either to happen.”
“Something has to give,” she says and dabs at a tear. “And I’m seriously pissed that I’m crying. I thought I got it out of my system.”
“You spent last night crying?” I’m a complete ass. Why did I think it was best to spend last night apart when we were both just miserable?
“A little,” she confesses. “Carter, I can’t be your girlfriend and your assistant. Whether we like it or not, there is a no-frat policy in this company.”
“Nora, I own the damn company. We can do whatever the hell we want.”
“So . . . what? Do as I say, not as I do?” She shakes her head miserably. “I hated it when my parents pulled that crap on me when I was kid, and I won’t do that here. The rules apply to everyone. That’s why they’re there.”
“They’re a pain in my ass,” I mutter and rub my hand over my face in frustration.
“Mary’s a pain in my ass,” she says. “That girl doesn’t like me. I don’t think she likes anyone, and I truly think she’ll try to make things harder around here. Not that they’re hard now, but you know what I mean.”
“Then she’s gone.”
“No.” She shakes her head and pats my leg. “I can’t win, don’t you see? Quitting my position is the right thing to do. And I won’t go far. Sienna hasn’t formally hired her new assistant, so I’ll take that job,