Page 81 of Sweeter than Honey

Even though I know I shouldn’t, I take a step toward her. We can’t be together but, still…being back in her presence is a gift I wasn’t expecting, and I can’t stand the thought of going back out into the bar just yet. “What are you doing here?”

“I hate to interrupt…whatever it is you’re doing,” she says, her eyes flitting over to the door of the bar. “But you left so abruptly, and…I have to tell you something.”

There’s a little crease between her eyebrows. She hesitates for amoment. I’ve never seen her this way. Did something happen at the hotel?

She clears her throat. “I understand why you decided to quit. I put you in an impossible position, I realize that now. I never should have started a relationship with you like that…”

Her words make my chest ache painfully. “It’s not your fault…”

She raises her hand. “Wait, let me finish. I take full responsibility for everything that happened between us. I was your boss, I should never have allowed it to happen. I should have known we couldn’t work together like that.”

Warm tears well in my eyes. It was so stupid for me to think I could just forget about her. Even if I’m stuck with Dylan for the rest of my short, natural life, how could I ever have thought I could just push away the memories of her? As happy as I am to see her, it’s also an agonizing reminder of everything that I’ve lost. I can almost feel myheart breaking.

“You’re the most amazing woman, Lily.” A tender note echoes in her words. “You’re smart, and hard working, and you deserve so much more than I gave you. I completely understand if you never want to see me again. If you’re angry with me for taking advantage of you.”

I bite my lip. Is that what she thinks happened?

She gazes at me, deep pain in her eyes. “I understand if you don’t want to be with me. But you shouldn’t have to lose your job because of my carelessness. Lily, I’ve drawn up a new contract for you. I want to offer you a position as the Respite hotel’s Chief Operating Officer.”

I blink several times. “What?”

Renata nods. “It’s a big pay raise, and a lot more responsibility, but I think you’ll rise to the challenge. You’ll have your own team, and your own assistant. And…I’m going to be stepping back. I’ll still be the CEO, but if you want, you never have to see me, or work with me, ever again. You can work during the day, and I’ll work nights. That way, there will be no conflict of interest. You won’t report to me anymore.”

I stare at her, absolutely stunned.

“You don’t need to decide right now,” Renata says. “I can have the paperwork sent over to you. Look it over, maybe talk to your…husbandabout it…” Her lip twitches on the word. She casts her eyes down, then shakes her head. “And Lily…I need to tell you one more thing…”

She looks back up at me, and all the walls fall down.

“I love you, Lily Harper. You’re the most important person to me, and you always will be. I never should have taken you for granted. I put my own fear above you, and for that, I’ll never forgive myself.”

My heart hammers in my chest.

Her eyes lock on mine, sincere and firm. “You’re so special, Lily. You deserve to be loved completely.”

The words envelope me like warm summer air on an August evening. I take a deep inhale as I let them wash over me.

And for once, there are no anxious, swirling thoughts in my head. No worries, no reservations. My heartbeat, so quick and restless before, now beats a clear, steady rhythm.

She notices, and looks at me in confusion.

But there are no words I can say back to her.

So instead, I take her hand, and lead her out of the washroom.

“What are you doing?” she asks.

I don’t respond. I pull her over to the bar, and grab the remote control from beside the cash register. It’s the middle of the game, but I don’t give a shit about sports.

“Hey!” shouts the entire bar, as I turn off the TV that’s playing the basketball game (there’s a quieter but still distinct “Lily!” from my mother as I turn off the TV with the soaps).

“Listen up, everyone!” I shout, pulling Renata to the center of the bar.

Everyone turns to stare at us. My face is bright red. I’m not the type who likes a lot of attention, but I need to do this now. I need everyone to hear me. All of my university friends, the junior associates at the law firm, my mother, and Dylan. He stares at us with a mixture of anger and confusion.

“This woman!” I point to Renata. “This woman is the love of my life. She’s the most loyal, caring, smart, beautiful, confident,badassperson I know, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life with her!”

The bar is completely silent. My mother looks like she’s about to fall off her barstool. Dylan sits at the booth, open-mouthed, his half-finished beer dripping onto the floor.