Sweet Love - Mia Kayla Page 0,91

leave?” His voice was soft, tender, coaxing.

“I think the commercials worked. They got me so super emotional that I had to leave.” A small laugh escaped my lips. “How did it go?” I switched the subject so fast, probably giving him whiplash. It was either that or … tell him the truth, which I wasn’t about to do.

“He hated it.” There was heavy disdain in Connor’s eyes.

“Wait, what? Why?”

We had such a solid campaign.

He shook his head, staring back at the lake. “I don’t know. Maybe he hates me. He’s doing this to spite me.”

“Oh, Connor …” I took one of his hands in mine. “I’m sure that’s not it. Maybe the case for him is not wanting change. It’s difficult for older people to change.” I squeezed his hand, and his eyes flickered to where we were connected. “I can imagine that he set up the original branding, and it’s hard for a stubborn man to see out of his original vision. He’ll come around.”

“He won’t. Don’t you see? Nothing I do will ever be good enough. I can’t believe I upped and left Manhattan to come back to this shit.” He turned to face me fully, his knees by my knees, blowing out one slow sigh. He reached for me and practically pulled me into his lap. “I don’t care anymore. It only confirms why I should leave. What I say doesn’t matter.”

I held my breath, as though he’d slapped me in the face. I mean, I had known this, right? I shouldn’t be surprised by any of it. But why did it hurt so much?

It was because there was finality in his tone.

“Listen … I meant it. I want you to come with me.”

His eyes searched mine, and there was this ache so deep that it would’ve consumed me if I were a weaker woman. I’d do what he wanted, not what I wanted.

“I can’t. We’ve discussed this.” And then I straightened, and for the first time, I got the courage to ask him what I’d always wanted to ask him, knowing the rejection would soon follow. “Why don’t you just stay?” For me, it was evident, but I bit my tongue before more of my feelings flew out.

“I can’t.” He blew out a breath, sadness encompassing his features. “I can’t be around him. I just need to move on and get on with my life. It’s like my whole life is on pause to save this company. And all this work that we did, all the months that I’ve stayed here, has been for nothing. It’s for fucking nothing. I’m done. Anytime I think of Colby’s or Chicago, I just get so damn angry. I need out. I’m happier when I’m not here.”

I extracted my hand from his, feeling the rejection strong and clear, like a bee sting.

I was going to cry. I could feel it, the warmth behind my eyes, and I hadn’t cried over him leaving in front of him because it felt sort of stupid really, knowing this was the end game, this was our deal of sorts.

“I get it. I understand,” I said, knowing there was no changing his mind.

His face registered panic for a second, realizing what he’d said. “But not with you, Charlie. Not with you. I’m happy with you.” He stood and took my face within his palms. “I mean, my silver lining in coming here was meeting you.” His lips touched mine. “Stay with me.” He leaned in, kissing me more passionately. “Stay with me tonight.”

And I gave in because if this was all I was ever going to get, if I could only get Connor for this short period of time, then I’d take it.

Chapter 29

Charlie

I stared at his boxes and suitcases along the wall. His plates and mugs and glasses were scattered all across the kitchen table, and my stomach sank and kept on going.

We were silent as I helped him take out all the pots and pans from the cupboard, wrap them up in bubble wrap, and stack them in the box.

I repeated the motion with his utensils and his mixing bowls, and I could not breathe. Tears welled up in my eyes, and he didn’t see me crying because he was too damn busy packing the plates, making sure they were secure in the box.

I hated this.

All this thinking and moping had me coming to one irrational thought: he was leaving me even though he had a choice.

I swallowed back the lump in the