Beholden (The Belonging Duet, #2)(74)

“Dork. Get in here.”

“Give me a second and don’t you give that to anyone else!” she exclaims and disappears somewhere.

I don’t know how I’m going to get used to dealing with a new assistant. Taylor has been my right hand and sometimes my left. I’m not sure I’m half as good as my bosses think I am without her.

“You got a present too.” She smiles as she brings in a huge bouquet of yellow daffodils.

“Wow. You shouldn’t have.”

“Good, because I didn’t,” she explains.

“Want the card?” Taylor holds it up smirking.

I walk over to her and take the vase. “Yes,” I say putting them down admiring how beautiful they are.

Opening the card from the same florist Jackson used the last time.

Great.

I brace myself for another card like the last.



Dear Catherine,

Did you know there are meanings behind each flower? Like I had nothing else to do today but find one that said what I couldn’t say to you. I thought maybe this would win me a few brownie points too since I spent an hour googling flower meanings. Apparently, this flower says you’re the only one and some shit about sunshine. I thought you should know that even though you’re going to California tomorrow, you’re taking my sunshine with you. You’re the one for me. I’ll miss you and I love you.

Yours Always,

Jackson



I grin and clutch the card to my chest. It’s hard to picture Jackson sitting around googling flowers but it means a lot to me. We spoke once and he asked to see me again, but I told him it would be too hard for me, so we’ve texted a few times. I told him when I got to California I’d call, but it hurts and I don’t know if I’ll be able to.

“Is he being all swoony again?” Taylor asks, trying to read over my shoulder.

“Isn’t he always? I swear it’s impossible to resist him.”

“That’s the truth. He’s kinda perfect, isn’t he?”

I take a deep breath in and then release it. Yeah, he’s pretty damn perfect.

“He loves you, Cat. I have a feeling you two are going to find a way.”

“I let him go, Tay. He knows there’s no way.”

As much as I’d like to believe the words I speak, I know it’s not completely true. I don’t know that I’ll ever really let him go. He found a way to penetrate my soul. Jackson fits me in every aspect and if I wasn’t leaving for California, I’d be back in his arms. All our secrets were laid out and we would have been happy and in love. Instead we’ll live apart, knowing how much we both wish it was another way.

“Sure. Whatever.” She gives me the stink eye and then looks around the room. “Okay, where’s my present?”

I pull out the bag from Michael Kors and her jaw falls slack. “No way! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!” she yells after she recovers.

“I’m going to miss you so much. Promise me you’ll call me, and I want to hear all about the new job. Especially if that twunt, Piper, gets hit by a bus.” I wink trying to keep from getting emotional.

We give each other a long hug and laugh.

Once we finally get a grip, Taylor asks, “Did you hire your new assistant?”

“Yes, he’s starting to get things set up. I think you’d like Tristan.”

“Probably, but I’ll pretend not to. He better be on his game to handle you.”

“I’m not that bad … well, maybe.”

A few people stop by the office and say goodbye while I make sure the files I need for California are in order. I look up when I hear a knock at the door.

“I wanted to wish you a very safe flight,” Piper sneers.

I smile and tilt my head to the side, unwilling to let this bitch ruin my last day in New York. “Why, thank you, Piper. That’s awfully kind of you.”

She glares at me, “Did you hear? Neil and I are moving in together.” Her brow quirks as she tries to goad me.

Not working, but thanks for playing.

It reminds me that Neil was making out with another blond. I wonder if they’re all going to live together or if Piper is unaware of her boyfriend’s extra plaything.

“No, I missed that news, but I saw you guys at the bar the other day. Did you see us?” I ask sweetly.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I swore it was you. I mean, Neil was clearly shoving his tongue down a petite blond’s throat.” I shrug and return to my paperwork, trying to smother my smile.

I’ve waited months to hand it back to this bitch and I’m going to enjoy every second. She stands there waiting for who knows what while I ignore her.

“Nice. Glad to see you’ve come over to the other side. You’re so full of shit that it’s actually pathetic.”

I look up with the smile I can’t hide any longer. “I was really sure it was you. I mean, Neil is such a stand-up guy. He would never cheat, would he?” I stand and walk toward her with my phone. “Look, Piper, see for yourself.” I open the picture and extend my hand to her.

She glares at the phone, no longer petulant or sure of herself.

Karma.

“It won’t bite,” I push the phone closer. “How about we take a look together?” I put my arm around her and pull the phone close so we can both see it … nice and close.