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My father made sure of that by showing up unannounced.
Even here, I haven’t been able to get her to myself. She leaves after the weekend. Monday is her last day. I should have let her leave now, instead of making her work her full notice, but I need whatever time I can get with her. I have so many questions. So much I need to say.
I have a short list of potential nannies to interview, but I doubt she’ll have the time to help. She’s drowning in loose ends at work.
“You sure your assistant can help out until I get a new one?” I ask Dex. As of Wednesday, I won’t have one, and I haven’t had time to even think about interviews.
I’d planned to have Cari help me sort it all out, but we’ve both been swamped. And she’s been avoiding me.
Dex nods. “Kirsty’s fine with it.”
“Yeah, Cari’s leaving soon, isn’t she?” Zach chimes in. “Raeanne was talking about it with the others.”
I flinch involuntarily. Of course, office gossip has spread and all the assistants would be talking about it. Looking at it now, dragging Cari on vacation with me probably raised some red flags. But I hadn’t cared at the time. I’d been desperate after Anna quit and had no one else to turn to.
It was the best thing that ever could have happened.
My chest tightens, warmth spreading through me as I recall the memories forever etched in my heart. I got something priceless.
Cari.
And now I’m desperate to see her, to fix whatever it is that’s bothering her.
“Why’s she leaving?” Zach asks.
Dex chokes on his drink.
“What?” Zach looks between us, his brow furrowed. “Why am I always the last to know? What’s going on?”
“Fuck me,” I mutter, swiping a hand down my face.
“What?” Zach repeats, more annoyed this time.
Dex glances at me, a shit-eating grin plastered across his face as he lifts his beer bottle. “Tell him. Just put him out of his misery already.”
Dex and I haven’t spoken about it. He hasn’t, much to my surprise—and relief—mentioned catching Cari and me almost red-handed after our kiss. But he knows. He’s not stupid.
“He’s in love,” Dex declares, rolling his eyes.
“You’re what?” Zach’s voice pitches higher.
“I wouldn’t go so far as that,” I snap. I hate Dex for making assumptions about something I haven’t even admitted to Cari yet.
“You are in love, brother.” Dex leans forward, eyes blazing. “Call it what it is. And this is different.” He jabs a thick finger at me. “You know it’s different. I was just wondering when the fuck you were going to admit it.”
“You knew?” Zach complains, throwing up his hands. “You guys—”
Dex raises his hand, cutting him off. “I didn’t know, but I walked in on him and Cari smooching. She looked how I’ve left plenty of women before—bee-stung lips, red face, shiny eyes.” He smirks. “She’s mad for you, brother. She's got it bad.”
Dex’s words settle the prickling unease in my chest. I needed to hear that. Between Cari’s coldness, my father’s reminder of the Brazilian alliance, and the chaos of work, I hadn’t had time to think straight.
But Dex is right.
She has feelings for me.
And damn it—I love her. I love that woman with all my heart.
“Cari? Your assistant?” Zach’s disbelief is almost comical. “You and her?”