Page 91 of Perfect Assumption

Angela

Turnover at XMedia is already beginning. Former Executive Vice President of Innovative Solutions, Raquel Laurette, has turned in her resignation to the board of directors. We’ve obtained a copy of her resignation letter which indicates she’s enjoyed her time working with the company, but it’s time to move on to new challenges. We wonder if she’ll be keeping her balloon package when she leaves, or will newly appointed board director, Michael Clarke, try to block it?

— StellaNova

“Idon’t want to leave you.” Ward kisses me again.

“You’ll see me tomorrow,” I promise, even though I wrap my arms around him to hold him close. Having him here with me the last four days in our own rustic haven has been beyond anything I could have longed for. I rub my cheek along the scruff of his face. “You’re going to cause a scandal if you walk into the office like this tomorrow.”

He groans. “We could just run away, forget about work.”

I shake my head vigorously. “No, we can’t. We’d let your sister and David down. And Becks.”

“I couldn’t care less about Becks.”

My carefree laugh echoes across the acre of white snow everywhere but my driveway, which was plowed in the early morning, startling Ward. He woke up shouting, “Are we under attack?” which caused me to laugh in hilarity.

Of course, he had his retribution for me finding humor in his honest mistake.

The sun is shining after days of clouds. It almost hurts my eyes to lean back in his arms, but that may have to do with the fact I really don’t want him to leave. If I had my way, we’d stay cocooned in our little world and keep the outside away. But I know better.

Reality always has a way of penetrating its way in.

* * *

The next morning,Carys applauds as I enter the office four days after I left it. “Welcome back.”

My face flames to the same shade as my hair. “Thanks.”

Her smile turns knowing. “Let me guess? You wish you were still stranded?”

“Oh, my God. Do you really want to have this conversation? He’s your brother!” I exclaim.

“And you’re my friend. Just let me know one thing.” She takes my fingers and squeezes them tightly. “Are you happy?”

I try to put the feeling into words. “I didn’t know it was possible for my heart to feel like it was shooting off fireworks every moment I breathe.”

A second later, Carys is leaping into my arms. I’m still holding her tiny sobbing body when Ward strolls in. He’s holding my coffee but stops short when he spots his sister crying. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t have the first idea.”

“You and you,” Carys blubbers. She steps back and blots her eyes.

Ward edges around the front of my desk warily. “Has she lost her mind?”

“It might be the effects of the thundersnow. Who knows if it knocked something out of kilter.” Then I turn a horrified look at him. “Oh Lord. You might be in charge of the office.”

Even as Ward makes a face, Carys bursts into laughter. “Okay, I get it. I may have overreacted.”

“You think? Besides, what happens between me and Angie is between the two of us.” Ward punctuates his words by rolling his eyes at his sister.

“Yeah, good luck there, buddy. Angie, I booked lunch for us today so we can catch up.”

“Christ,” Ward mutters.

My eyes bounce back and forth between the two of them, much like a tennis match.

Then the door is flung open. “My favorite people, I missed you! Being cooped up alone is no way to spend such a dreadful snow. Angie, how did you handle it?” Becks demands.