There was still the contract to hammer out, of course, but if she wanted the gig, it was hers.
She had the rest of the week to make her decision.
Which meant no more dancing around the issue. She had to tell Darian. Now.
Her fingers tightened on her cup. It was a great opportunity for her. She should be excited, but instead, fear clawed at her. Everything was about to change.
What if she stayed where she was until the end of her contract? Sure, she’d be saying good-bye to the non-profit, but maybe with time Darian would realize just how much he needed her.
A derisive snort escaped her. She was not that woman. The one who hung around hoping her man would magically change, even though all evidence pointed to the contrary. There was no proof working for him longer would have any impact on their relationship. Six months from now she’d be in the same spot, only she wouldn’t have the perfect job to jump to.
It was a gamble either way. She’d be giving up the safety of King Enterprises and striking out into uncharted territory. Who knew what this new job would bring?
One thing was certain, though. No matter what she chose, she’d lose Darian. Either they’d grow apart and he’d move on if she stayed or he’d dump her the second he learned she was leaving. No decision she could make led to a happily ever after with him.
Even if that was the one thing she wished for most.
“Damn dress,” she muttered to her coffee. It had screwed with her head. She wasn’t ready to get married, but standing in that gown, staring at Darian…
It had made her crave a fantasy she knew would never come true.
Pushing her coffee away, she rose to her feet. One thing was certain. Hiding out here wasn’t doing her any good. Time to plan out the next stage of her life.
…
“You’ve been so busy these last few days I’ve barely seen you at work.”
Darian kicked back in his chair as he held the phone to his ear.
“I’ve just been tying up some loose ends with the wedding,” Allison replied.
“Anything I should worry about?”
There was a pause before she said, “I’ve got it all covered.”
He frowned at the stilted nature of her voice. It had been that way for a few days now.
Had he done something wrong? The possibility gnawed at him.
“Don’t push yourself too hard,” he said. “I’ve got plans for you that require all your energy.”
“Does that mean you’re coming over tonight?”
He checked at the clock on his desktop. “Do you mind if it’s late? I’m still at the office.”
“I’ll leave the door unlocked,” she replied. “Come over whenever you can.”
It was a habit she’d fallen into this past week, leaving the door unlocked for him. Since the night he’d picked her up at the bar, they never slept alone. Given he was a man who rarely allowed his partners to stay the night, he’d assumed the addition of a body in his bed would have annoyed the hell out of him.
Instead, he slept like a baby. There was just something about holding Allison in his arms that soothed him. Last night he’d gotten home so late he’d just crawled into bed and pulled her close. He’d been asleep by the time his head hit the pillow.
It’d been the first time they’d spent the night together but not had sex. And he’d liked it. Something about it had been more…intimate. Like it was an action they could repeat for the rest of their lives.
Danger, danger, his brain warned. That was not a sentiment that worked well with “temporary.”
“I’ll be there,” he said into the phone. “I wish I was there now.”
“I’ll stay late tomorrow and help you out,” she offered. “Then we can leave together.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“What’s one more late night?”
He smiled at her dedication. “I promise things will get better once the wedding is over. Maybe we could take a weekend trip somewhere to relax.”
Again there was a telling pause. “A trip?”
“Something simple,” he said. “You can pick. There must be a spa or a B&B you’d like to try.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
A frown tightened his forehead. The words were happy, but her tone sounded resigned. What was he missing?
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she assured him. “My mom called earlier, so maybe that what’s affecting me.”
“All good at home?”
“Yeah, my youngest sister just got engaged. My life is like a non-stop wedding commercial.”
“Congratulations,” he said.
“She’s thrilled. They’re planning a spring wedding.”