“I don’t mind picking both of you up—”
“That’s enough,” she said, coldly cutting him off. This had to stop now. He was going to break her heart all over again. They both knew that. It would only end disastrously for her. She had Finn to think about. “We’ve had our fun. It’s time for things to get back to normal.”
“At least let me send you a driver,” he murmured. “If you don’t want to talk, let me at least help you since this situation is my fault anyway.”
“It’s not your fault.” She sighed heavily. “We both let the moment get the best of us. Now that moment has passed.”
“You don’t want me around your family, do you?”
She didn’t reply. What could she say? If she explained that she didn’t want to bring a romantic partner around her son, it would probably insult Simon. But after her divorce, her son needed stability.
Bringing a fleeting office romance home was only going to confuse her son, and that was the last thing they needed. Right now she had to focus on proving that she was a good mom, even if she was single. Especially since the divorce had been Gary’s idea. He had cast her aside to finally live the exciting life he had always wanted. The best way to move past the divorce was to show Gary and her family that she was doing just fine without her ex.
Simon straightened and his face became unreadable. “Fine. Have it your way,” he said. “I’ll be on my way home now. Thank your mother for the tea.” He got inside his car and turned on the ignition. “And Heather, don’t worry about what happened today. We can put it behind us. We can act like professionals and get past this minor mistake.” Without another glance at her Simon pulled out of the driveway and drove off, leaving her standing on the pavement.
Heather ignored the pain knifing through her heart. Simon had released her. They could go back to what they were and act like nothing had happened.
Now all she had to do was shake off her attraction to him once and for all. Easier said than done, but as long as she avoided being alone with her handsome boss everything would be fine.
Chapter 10
“Heather.” Simon’s eyes narrowed on her. “In my office.”
Her heart started pounding like crazy. She had only just stepped into her small office to begin making early morning phone calls to confirm staff attendance at a meeting later today.
“What’s this about?” she asked, her voice shaking.
But it was too late. Simon had already turned around and vanished from sight.
She set her handbag on her desk and inhaled a deep breath. After last night, her nerves were fried. And having to meet Simon in his office—presumably alone—was the last thing she wanted to do.
Heather headed into Simon’s office, trying her best to ignore her sweaty palms and racing heart. Yesterday was a mistake they had both agreed to get over. Put aside for the greater good. Her reputation. His career. Those were the things that mattered right now. Not whether Simon had spent all night thinking about her like she had been thinking about him.
He pulled out two chairs in front of his desk and gestured for her to sit across from him. “Have a seat. I’ve got some news. Things to discuss.”
Swallowing hard, she forced herself to shut the door behind her and walk over to him without showing the panic that was rising in her. She sat down and crossed her legs, trying to look professional and project a confidence she didn’t feel.
“What news?” she asked.
He sat down and leaned back in his chair. Simon was so tall that even when he leaned back his legs were practically brushing against hers. “First of all, I hope the driver got your son to school on time.”
Her stomach fluttered. Her boss was sitting to close to her that it made her body respond before she could even think. “Yes,” she said. “Thank you for sending the driver this morning. It was very kind of you.” After I was such a bitch last night. She didn’t bother saying that part out loud.
“No problem. It was my pleasure,” he said.
Her cheeks warmed when he said the word pleasure, so she tore her gaze away from him to stare at her hands. What was wrong with her? If she didn’t get it together quickly she was liable to make a complete fool of herself. “You wanted to discuss some news?”