Right Billionaire, Wrong Wedding (Sexy Billionaires)(68)

But why couldn’t he see that she was his way out? That she could love for both of them until he learned how. She didn’t need a promise of forever, just a chance to try for it.

That chance had crumpled like her resignation letter. She knew how this would play out now. Her notice would be handled by HR. She’d sign a few non-disclosure agreements in return for her outstanding salary, and that would be that. She’d be officially finished with King Enterprises. Years from now, they might run into each other at a gala or on the street and Darian would smile politely. He’d treat her like an old acquaintance and continue on his way. Just as she’d always feared, she’d left no impact on his life despite the fact his name was branded in her heart.

“Make better choices next time,” she told herself. No office romances. No falling for the wrong guy. No billionaires.

She’d find a simple, down-to-earth man who could laugh with her. One who would move in with her after the appropriate amount of time had passed. Maybe they could even get a dog, provided he was more capable of keeping small creatures alive than she was.

Lifting her left hand, she looked at her ring finger. He’d ask her to marry him one night after they’d come home from dinner. It would be a simple proposal, off the cuff and spontaneous. They’d walk down the aisle of a courtroom and then live happily ever after with their white picket fence and 2.5 kids.

There would be no designer dress. No celebrity-level ceremony. Her life would no longer consist of dinner that cost more than she made in a week. She’d never again sleep on sheets too sinfully soft to be found in the catalog.

“I don’t need those things,” she whispered. It was true. Darian’s draw hadn’t been his bank account.

All she’d wanted was him.

Too bad the feeling wasn’t mutual.

Tears clogged her throat again. And here she’d thought she’d cried herself out last night.

Shaking her head, she jumped off the couch. She wasn’t going to mope around her apartment, eating ice cream just because someone had dumped her. It was Darian’s loss. At least she’d tried to hold on to what was important to her. All she could do now was heal and move on.

“Jogging,” she said, leaving her coffee behind. She’d always promised herself she’d be more active. No time like the present to turn over a new leaf.

And leave the past behind.

…

“Why do you think you’d be an asset at King Enterprises?”

Darian studied the eager young man before him as the interviewee droned on about how he had the skills to thrive in this environment.

He was the third possibility Allison had vetted before her departure and he rather liked this one best. The kid was wet behind the ears, but he was eager to please.

Plus there was zero chance Darian would get inappropriately involved with this assistant. Definitely a strong case for hiring the man before him.

“How would your previous experience help you in this position?” he asked, listening to the response with half an ear. Allison had been equally nervous when he’d hired her, and look how she’d grown.

His mood plummeted even more.

“Mr. King?”

He glanced up, realizing the interviewee had finished his answer.

“Forgive me.” He leaned forward. “You understand this job comes with demanding hours. I don’t work nine to five and expect my assistant to be available for the job whenever I am.”

“Absolutely,” the man replied. “Ms. Reed already filled me in on how this job goes above and beyond. That is fine with me. I want to work for you, Mr. King, and learn from you. This position will help me take steps toward building the future I’m dreaming of. I understand what an honor it is to be here.”

Darian tapped the résumé against the edge of the desk. “Late nights, weekends, calls at three in the morning.”

“All fine. I assure you, I’ll be whatever you need from your assistant.”

He needed perfection.

And like an idiot, he’d had it and lost it.

“That’s good to know,” he said, rising. “I’ll let you know my decision in the next few days. Thank you for coming down again.”

“Not a problem. As I told Ms. Reed, I’m happy to be available whenever you’d like to speak with me. If you have any further questions just let me know.”

Darian held out his hand and after a firm shake, sent the applicant on his way.

Gillian strode into the room as the interviewee walked out. Her arms were full of folders as she juggled them to lay a few on his desk.

“The Albert papers,” she said, turning to go.

“Wait.”

She turned back to him.