“I thought about it.” His mouth opened to respond but she cut him off. “And don’t you dare blame this on me. I tried.” Her voice rose and her face filled with color. “Every time I mentioned helping a charitable organization, you didn’t want any part of it. Me not telling you before now is as much your fault as mine. I couldn’t risk my job.”
His voice rose. “You thought I’d fire you?”
She shouted back. “Wouldn’t you have? Correction, aren’t you going to now that you know?”
What he wanted to do was leave. Kayla was loud, emotional and making him extremely uncomfortable. She had him raising his voice—something he avoided at all costs. In that moment, he had flashbacks of his parents’ endless arguments. He refused to end up like them.
He started for the door. The walls started to close in on him.
“Where are you going?”
“Out.” His head pounded.
“And my job?”
“I don’t know.” He honestly didn’t. He was torn between his newfound feelings for her and the fear that they’d end up miserable like his parents. The pain in his temples intensified.
He stormed out the door, covering as much ground as he could cover with no destination in mind. He just had to get away from the arguing.
Over the years he’d worked so hard to control as much of his life as possible—keeping it the exact opposite of his emotional, turbulent parents. And then in one afternoon, he found himself back exactly where he’d started—in the middle of a heated relationship. That was unacceptable. His home and his office were kept orderly and on an even keel. Everything was how he wanted it—so then why couldn’t he control his own traitorous heart?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
HAD SHE BEEN FIRED?
Impossible.
But she was resigning from Amatucci & Associates effective as soon as she completed this one final task. Kayla sat across from Louisa Harrison on her patio. The Tuscany sun beamed bright overhead, but Louisa had the white table shaded by a large yellow umbrella. The woman was quiet, reserved and poised. Not exactly the easiest person to get to know.
“Thank you so much for taking the time to see me.” Kayla fidgeted with the cup of coffee that Louisa had served just moments ago.
“I’m new here so I don’t get much company.”
Kayla gazed up at the huge palazzo. “Do you live here alone?”
Louisa nodded.
“You must get lonely in this big place all by yourself.” Kayla pressed her lips together, realizing she’d once again said too much. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. Sometimes I don’t think before I speak.”
“It’s okay. Most people probably would get lonely.” Louisa played with the spoon resting on the saucer. “I moved here to get away from the crowd in Boston.”
So Louisa wanted to be alone—perhaps that was the reason for her refusing to host a royal wedding that would bring a huge crowd of onlookers, not to mention the press. So was Louisa an introvert? Or was there another reason she preferred a quiet atmosphere?
First, Kayla had to build some friendly bridges. Hopefully she’d do a better job of that going forward. She genuinely liked Louisa. And she felt sorry for the woman, being so secluded from life.
And then a thought struck Kayla—if she wasn’t careful and didn’t stop pushing people away, she might end up alone just like Louisa. First, she’d shoved away her ex because she just didn’t share his vision of the future. And now, there was Angelo, who had given her one amazing opportunity after the next. And how did she repay him but by having an utter meltdown.
She hadn’t spoken to him since he’d stormed out of their suite that morning. He’d never returned. And she’d been so busy losing her cool that she never did get to ask him for help with the fund-raiser.
At the moment, though, she had to focus on Louisa. “You know, we have something in common. I’m new here, too. Except I’m not staying. I’m only here on a business trip with my boss, Angelo Amatucci.”
Louisa’s cup rattled as she placed it on the saucer. “I met Mr. Amatucci. I suppose he sent you here to convince me to change my mind about the royal wedding?”
Kayla could hear the obvious resistance in Louisa’s voice. She’d have to tread lightly if she were to learn anything. “
Actually, he didn’t send me. He doesn’t even know I’m here.”
Louisa’s eyes widened. “Then why have you come?”