The words stuck in his mouth. It was inappropriate to ask about Allison. This was the office.
“Sir?”
“Have you talked to Ali?”
Her expression grew guarded. “Just a few texts this morning telling me she wouldn’t be in. I’m meeting her tonight to give her the stuff from her office.”
“Ah.”
Silence stretched.
“If that’s all, sir, I’ve got a lot on my plate until you hire a new assistant.”
“Do you know where she’s going? Her new job, I mean.”
Gillian’s chin lifted. “A non-profit, I think. She found one with a cause she was passionate about.”
“Education?” he guessed.
The other brow joined the first. “Yes.”
Figured. Here she was going to help people fight to make the world better and he’d shredded her for it.
“Thank you. That will be all.”
She inclined her head and left the office, pulling the door closed behind her.
Exhaling, he rocked back in his chair. Nothing was the way it should be. Everything was off kilter. He’d spent the day catching himself when he wanted to call Allison in for this task or that call. He’d taken for granted how much easier she’d made his life, and now that he didn’t have an assistant, he was seeing exactly what she’d always done for him.
But far worse was the pulsing pain in his chest that whispered he’d done exactly what she’d foretold.
Made the biggest mistake of his life.
He tried to lose himself in work, but the tasks that normally consumed him felt hollow. There was nothing he could do to banish the sight of her desolate expression when he’d told her to go.
She loved him.
Could it be true? He tunneled a hand through his hair. He’d warned her when they’d outlined their sexual relationship not to let feelings become involved. She shouldn’t have fallen in love.
That was his Ali, always doing her own thing. Following her own heart. Even when it led her astray.
It’s not my fault she was hurt, he tried to reason. That’s what happened when you allowed yourself to love someone. It only ended in pain. He’d tried to warn her against that reality, but there was nothing he could do if she chose to go against his advice. Maybe this lesson would help her harden her heart in the future.
Except he couldn’t imagine Allison not seeing the best in people. She was the kind of woman who would always love with her whole being. Did he really want to be the reason that changed?
He rubbed his chest, trying to banish the phantom pain. He missed his assistant. That was all. His normally organized life was in chaos. Once he hired a replacement, everything would go back to normal.
And he could stop replaying their last conversation on repeat in his head, trying to identify what he should have done better.
Because he had the damning notion he already knew.
He should have pulled her into his arms and never let go.
Chapter Nineteen
“Big bro!”
Darian wrapped his arms around his sister, burying his face in her hair as he hugged her tight.
“I need to breathe,” she joked, pushing him back.
“Where’s Matt?” He took the handle of her suitcase from her and led her away from the airport arrivals gate.
“He’s coming in two days. I wanted to get here as soon as possible to help you with any last minute details.”
“I appreciate it,” he said. “You’ve got your final gown fitting tomorrow. so there’s no time for jet lag.”
“Got it.” Jenny grinned up at him. “Are you getting enough sleep, Dare? I can see the bags under your eyes.”
“I’m fine,” he replied. “I’ll be even better when we get out of here.”
Together they made their way out of the main terminal, Jenny chattering away about her flight and leaving Paris.
“Are you going to miss it?” he asked as he took out his cell to signal his chauffeur.
“I don’t think so,” she said. “Been there, done that, you know? But the tour got a lot of great press. Matt’s meeting with a label next month. Can you believe it?”
“That’s wonderful news, Kit.”
“Just you wait. I’ll be settled in one place before you know it. Can you imagine?”
He shook his head. “If I know you, the two of you will still jet off to distant locations when you get the chance.”
“Probably,” she agreed. “At least until the kids come.”
His gaze dropped to her stomach. “Are you—?”
She hit his chest. “Of course not. But that’s the plan, right? I’m doing the marriage thing. Next comes the house and then the kids. What, are you eager to be an uncle?”