Page 77 of Perfect Assumption

“If you knew how to sew. Could you, I don’t know, maybe have asked someone for help? I looked like I was wearing a diaper by the end of the night.”

I’d been in the middle of taking a bite of my salad and managed to jab a kale leaf up my nose with that revelation. “Stop. I beg you both.” It actually sounded like “Stahhh. I beh bo ot ooo” between the laughter and since I had shoved a tissue up my nose to stop the bleeding, but the point was made.

Ward winked at me, and he and Carys went back to bickering about clients.

This morning, I found a bouquet of blue larkspur and eucalyptus was delivered to me with a simple card:Positive energy. I’m here whenever you’re ready. - W. When I took a picture of them and sent it to Sula, she lost her ever-loving mind. Her text back to me read,The man is mad about you.

I reach out and touch a delicate bloom.Maybe. But I know it’s certainly true the other way around.

Any moment where I give myself a spare second to think, I’m fighting a losing battle against myself. “What’s the worst that happens?” I whisper. My hands shake. I grip them tightly as the phone bleeps on my desk, indicating an internal call.

I snatch it up. “Yes, Carys?”

“Can you come in here just a moment?

“Be right there.”

Grabbing my tablet, I head straight for my boss’s office.

When I get there, I’m surprised to find her staring out at the Manhattan skyline. “Is everything okay?”

“I don’t know. Is it?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know I’m copied on all conference room requests. And so I know there’s a meeting tonight between you and Ward. Angie…” Concern laces her voice as she turns to face me from the window.

“He’s become a friend, Carys.”

“I think we both know he’s become more than that.”

I stiffen at her gentle rebuke. “Would you have a problem with that?”With me?But I leave that unsaid.

“Of course not. The only issue I would have is my brother not knowing the true extent of what happened so he doesn’t inadvertently hurt the both of you.”

“That’s why I booked the conference room.” Now it’s my turn to lose myself in the teaming intensity of the city. I move to stand next to her.

“You’re telling him?” Carys’s voice is laced with shock.

“How can I not?”

“Many wouldn’t.”

“Then they’re fools,” I snap. “I learned to live after what happened, but to open my heart again to a man is entirely different. It’s not just me who can get hurt.” I pause to take a breath before letting it out. “He has to know how I came to be who I really am.”

“And that is?” Carys probes gently.

My head whips around. “Me. I may have been broken, but I was restored.” My voice comes out strong and firm.

“Carys, you’re going to have to deal without either me or Angie for the rest of the day. We’re leaving to go somewhere else to finish this conversation.” When I whirl around, Ward’s leaning against the open doorjamb. His expression is neutral, but his dark eyes are burning with emotion. I recognize protectiveness, and I want to wrap myself in it, luxuriate in the feeling.

Carys holds up a hand. “I wouldn’t normally dare intrude this far, Ward, but in this case I am sticking my nose in with good reason.”

His expression softens. “I understand.”

“I’d like to know where you’re going.” Before Ward can speak, Carys takes my hand. She squeezes it hard. I return the gesture, appreciating the unspoken support for what I’m about to do. Her voice is thick. “Angie needs to know if she needs to step away from the conversation for any reason, she has people she can reach.”

I had already prepared myself to be launched into new stratospheres of emotions with Ward, but watching the love cross over his face before he crosses the room to wrap his sister in a hug flings me higher than I ever expected. But it’s his words that throw me closer to love.