Perfectly Inappropriate

Audra’s eyes softened, as did her voice. “You, my boy, have always held such a gentle heart in the strong soul of yours.” She rose and patted the side of his face. “But you are creating your own problems. There is a very simple fix right in front of you.”

“Which is?”

“Do you want Olivia in your life?”

“That is without question,” he replied.

“Then use that heart and that incredible mind of yours to make it happen.” Her eyes searched his for a long moment before all the softness in her expression faded away to intensity. “Don’t let Olivia go. She’s brought you something new in a very short time. Something that’s changed you. Imagine what she’ll bring to you in a year from now.”

It was a thought he had already considered.

In classic Audra style, she lifted her chin and stated, “Honestly, Noah, when did you become a man who didn’t laugh in the face of a challenge?”

Awareness drifted over him then as he watched her leave his office. His mother was right—he did love challenges. Especially when he pulverized them.

* * *

—

“I quit.”

The words left Olivia’s mouth so fast that her mind took a moment to catch up. The entire night before her head spun with her fears—and about Noah’s fears too—and she decided after another day of hell, she would no longer run. She’d tasted rocked bottom after Cameron. She’d tasted what happiness could be with Noah. She needed to find something in the middle. For herself. That’s why she walked straight into Isaac’s office before leaving for the day, and the two powerful words simply fell out of her mouth.

Sitting behind his desk, with the pen in his hand still resting on a piece of paper, Isaac looked as bewildered by her statement as she felt. He finally broke the silence. “Pardon me?”

“I quit,” she repeated slowly this time, ensuring he heard her. “I really appreciate all that you’ve done for me, Isaac.” Okay, not really, but she’d learned good manners from her parents. “But I’m afraid I need to move on and seek out a different opportunity.”

Again, Isaac blinked. “You’re making a mistake, Olivia. You won’t get experience like this anywhere else.” In classic asshole Isaac style, he stated, “I’m the best. You want to work beneath the best.”

God, she was so sick of hearing him talk. Power that seemed so natural now rose up when she knew before it wouldn’t have. “To be perfectly honest with you, I think I’m the only person who isn’t making a mistake at all, while everyone around me seems to be making huge mistakes.” She paused and nodded, firm in what she said. “Again, I’m grateful for the opportunity you gave me, but it’s time I go.” Because she wasn’t happy there. She never had been, and she never would be. Graphic design was not her passion. It paid the bills.

To live…to truly live, she knew now she had to risk it all and stop playing it so damn safe. Somewhere in all this she could feel happiness waiting for her to take hold of it. Like she had done with Noah a few days ago by not accepting his half-in attitude and finally thinking of herself, she listened to what she wanted, not what was the right thing to do.

Isaac frowned and dropped his pen to cross his arms. “You sure you want to do this?”

She nodded. “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

“I suppose that is that then.” He rose and offered his hand. “All the best to you, Olivia.”

“Thank you.” With her chin high, and her dignity glowing instead of being scraped off the floor, she returned to her desk, grabbed her purse, then called out to her coworkers, “Goodbye all. I really enjoyed working with you.”

Mateo was the only one who responded. “Whoa. She’s leaving. Bye, Olivia.”

Olivia couldn’t help but laugh at their shocked faces as she left the office that had slowly sucked a piece of her soul away. By the time she made it outside, she was practically skipping. The sun greeted her as she took a big deep breath of the fresh air, feeling like a new woman. She got only two steps forward before she spotted Paige leaning against the light post.

“Paige,” she called.

Paige lifted her head from studying her cellphone and looked at Olivia. “Okay,” she said when Olivia reached her. “Are you on something? Because you did not look this happy when you left this morning.”

“I’m happy because I quit.” She strode by her.

“Wow! Hold up there, crazy girl.” Paige snatched Olivia’s arm. “You quit?”

Oliva laughed at the surprise on Paige’s face. Maybe even at the realization that she’d walked away from the best graphic design company in New York City. She was thrilled about it. “Yeah, I did, and it felt totally awesome.”

“Consider me shell-shocked,” said Paige slowly, then began examining Olivia closely. “Just to be sure, you’re not having some kind of mental breakdown or something, are you? Should I call your parents?”

Olivia burst out laughing. “No, I’m good. Promise.” When Paige’s eyes only searched Olivia’s harder, she laced their arms and began walking down the street. “I think I’m better now than I’ve been in a really long time. This should have happened years ago. I need to find out what makes me happy. I can’t keep walking the safe line anymore.”