Page 28 of Tied and Tangled

I couldn’t get anything out.

Not a fucking sound.

“Okay, then. Umm…” She pressed her lips together and looked away. “You don’t have to worry about firing me at the start of the new year—"

“Ari—"

“I quit. Considering everything, I think you will understand why it needs to be immediate.”

“Aria.” I stepped forward, but her hand shot up between us.

“Don’t,” she clipped, her brows narrowed. I could see the fire burning brightly in her dark gaze. “You were so worried about our age difference,”—she shook her head and pulled at her lower lip—“when really, you’re so much more immature than I have ever been.”

“Aria—"

“I’m going to pack my things and will leave my key card in my room—"

“Aria—"

“I thought you were different.” She sighed and shook her head. “I thought…” My hands fisted at my sides as I waited to hear what she had to say, but she left me wanting. “Never mind.” Now I was the one frowning.

“What did you think?” I rasped, holding on to the edge of my desk as I forced myself to stay where I was.

“Nothing. My opinion doesn’t matter.” Fuck. If her throwing my own words back in my face didn’t hurt so badly, I would have been proud of her comeback.

I’d done that.

I’d made her feel that way.

“Excuse me,” she whispered as she walked past me. My heart was so fucking heavy the rest of my body didn’t have the ability to move as I watched her leave my home office.

I stood there and didn’t move.

I couldn’t.

I didn’t do a thing until my phone rang.

“Amy,” I answered. “Hello.” I cleared my throat. “Everything okay?”

“That’s what I was going to ask you.”

“Excuse me?”

“I thought you were picking up the girls?” My eyes shut.Fuck!That’s exactly what we had been running late to go to when she came in here and saw that damn brochure. “Not that I mind having them. You know they’re always welcome, but you said you’d be here, and they’re waiting. River was getting worried.”

The girls.

“Right. I’m sorry. Something came up. I’ll be there in thirty. Please tell River I’m okay. I’ll see them soon.” I ended the call and walked out of my office.

My eyes drifted toward where the rooms were, where I knew she was. Packing all her things.

I should go in there, beg for her forgiveness and plead my case. Apologize for what I’d just said and tell her I had changed my mind about sending the girls away to boarding school.

But I didn’t.

Pride and ego got the better of me.

I left my place with Aria in it, knowing very well that when I returned, she’d be gone.