We came together, my eyes closed tightly as I exploded around him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Remy
I didn’t wake Celia up in the morning. Despite all her reassurances, I knew that the news about Amy bothered her. I knew that she was threatened by my ex even though she was the best thing that ever happened to me. I loved Celia and wanted her in my life.
I wanted her to rest more, worried about how much Celia was working. Perhaps that was why she stressed out last night even as she hid it from me.
I showered and dressed for the office, making coffee before I left the house. Dad was already gone, and Mom was out at her new yoga class. I left, glancing towards my room where my princess slept and smiled weakly. I knew what Rick wanted to do and that his choice would benefit the firm. Amy would make us more productive and lessen the workload of both of us. The question was if she would let the past go and focus on work. I didn’t want to rehash everything, but I didn’t have the strength to hate her any longer. I forgave her because we weren’t anything to begin with and I imagined that she’d been through a lot with Ian’s death.
I drove in, listening to a favorite podcast of mine to distract me from my own thoughts. I wanted it to be as short a day as possible, so I could walk on the beach with Celia, talking about our future. There was going to be one without a doubt.
I walked into the office and glanced at Rick’s door, seeing that he hadn’t arrived yet. I sat down and thought about the other resumes we’d seen and the few interviews we’d conducted. Rick wasn’t happy with them and I had to agree with him. They were underqualified for our growing firm. I sipped my coffee and played back the details of the others as I admitted to myself that Amy was the best.
I heard footsteps, greeting Heather as she arrived. She smiled and told me good morning and it was then that I saw Rick. He was dressed to the nines and glanced in my door as he approached his own office, gesturing for me to come inside. I stood and walked forward, walking in, and closing the door behind me as Rick settled into his chair. “Did you think things over?” he asked as I dropped into the chair across from him.
“I talked to my girlfriend and yes, I thought it over. She’s well qualified, Rick. I know that for a fact and I think she is willing to let the past go. I am willing to give her a try with some tight conditions.”
“Great. I don’t think that we’ll regret that.” Rick said as he searched my face. He knew that I had a girlfriend that I loved but I kept my life private. I found it to be the best way for me to focus on work and just work. I knew that there was bound to be parties and dinners occasionally and wasn’t sure how to handle that, nor what Celia wanted to do about it. “I’ll call her today and set up a meeting with Tanya to get everything started. Thanks, Remington. I appreciate that you’re thinking about the company more than yourself. This is all going to work out.”
I nodded, and we made small talk about the projects that we had going on. I made my way back to the office, knowing that my fate was going to be sealed by the end of the day. I needed to have boundaries with Amy more than I did with the other women, making it clear that I was happy with someone else. I could handle this.
We ended up working late since Heather went home sick just before lunch. I got home past eight and dinner was finished. I saw Celia sitting at the table writing with a steaming cup of coffee beside her, feeling the guilt of arriving home late. “Babe, have you been writing all day?” I asked as I walked in, seeing her glance at me. Her red hair was getting long, just past her shoulders and it was pulled loosely back today.
“Most of it. I took a quick job since he offered good money.” She replied as I leaned down to kiss her hair.
“I make a lot of money and I’m putting it away. You don’t have to kill yourself working.” I reminded her as she pushed her glasses back up her nose.
“I like working. I don’t want to sit around the house all day and do nothing, money or not. That’s not the point. I do want to put money away for the future and help us.” She smiled patiently at me and I dropped into the seat beside her. “Long day?”