Chapter 7

chapter

seven

JD

The decision is made.

I even feel good about it. It'll be great to be close to my sisters and get to know their guys better. My brain knows this is what's best. I'm ready for my heart to join the party.

I've already spoken to Helen about how I want things structured this morning. When I step into my office, Chelsea is already in there. She's standing, just in the middle of the room and she's so goddamn gorgeous she nearly steals my breath.

"Good morning," I say and turn towards my desk. Not looking at her will help. I hate that she makes me so damn weak. That I would literally do anything for her. I hate even more that she doesn't see me the way I see her.

"Morning," she says, her voice artificially chipper. "I have something I need to tell you."

I don't say anything, nor do I acknowledge her words. I simply can't right now. If I give her my undivided attention like I normally would, I'll ask her what's wrong? Ask her why she sounds different and what can I do to fix it.

I refuse to be the man who encroaches on another man's woman. And I will not beg her to be mine.

If I talk to her, if I turn around and tell her that I'm leaving before I announce it, I'll ask her to come with me. Marry me. Be with me forever.

"JD, did you hear me? Can you look at me, please?"

I set my stuff down behind my desk and turn to face her. "I did hear you."

"Can we talk, please?" she asks.

"Actually, not this morning. I'm making an announcement to the entire company." I check my watch. "In about ten minutes. We can talk later, yeah?"

"Oh, yeah, sure." She nods.

I leave her standing in my office before I say all the things I've been holding back the last three years.

I grab a banana out of the break room just to do something before I speak to the entire company.

This is the right decision. Maybe if I repeat that to myself, over and over again, I'll start to believe it.

Ten minutes later, all of the staff is standing around the bullpen.

"Thank you for taking a moment out of your busy mornings for this unplanned meeting. I can assure you, you'll be back at your desks in just a few minutes."

I see heads nodding. Chelsea is standing at the edge of the room, leaning against a desk.

"Okay, then. As you are all aware, Hayes moved back to his home town—my home town as well—so he could raise his kids in that small town environment. Over the months that he's been there, we've had many discussions about the future of H & J Funds."

Murmurs start crawling through the room.

I hold my hands up. "Don't panic. No one is losing their jobs. Instead, we're officially moving the headquarters of H & J to Saddle Creek. This does not mean you have to move there too. Just that that is where Hayes and I will be. We've already bought the perfect building and are making necessary adjustments to it.

"If, however, you want to join us at the headquarters, we would love to have you. This will be our main satellite office. So, feel free to remain here. But for any who choose to move," I look straight at Chelsea, who is now standing straight up, "the company will offset some of your moving expenses. Does anyone have any questions?"

I glance around the room and see one hand up. "Kyle? What's your question?"

"When are you leaving? I mean, when is your last day here?"

"Today is my last day here." Again, my eyes find Chelsea. Her lips are parted and she looks… devastated. Every cell in my body is demanding I go to her, pull her into my arms and hold her until she doesn't look so damn sad. But that's not my job.

I am her boss—well, really more like her co-worker at this point—and nothing more.

I answer a few more questions and then when I look back, Chelsea is no longer standing there.

ME: It's done.

HAYES: Are you sure this is what you want?

ME: No. But it's what I need.

HAYES: Maybe you should tell her the truth.

ME: What? That I'm a fucking idiot for being in love with her for three years? That I've been waiting for her to dump her loser of a boyfriend and pick me? Absolutely not.

ME: I made my intensions clear on Friday night. She made her choice.

HAYES: I just don't think it's that simple.

ME: Just because you found your happily ever after doesn't mean you know everything about relationships.

HAYES: I didn't say that. But I know you. And I know Chelsea.

ME: Whatever, man.

ME: Mike must be dying of some incurable disease or has a magic dick. She is completely devoted to him.

ME: I'm tired of being the pussy waiting in the wings.

HAYES: But what if SHE'S your happily ever after.

ME: Nah. I don't get one of those.

ME: Mike got mine.