Page 5 of Good Intentions, Vol. 2

Chapter Two

Heather

I all but run out of the office.

I’ve never expected I would tell Nick I love him. The fact that at the same exact moment his wife showed up and almost caught us is terrifying.

The moment I laid eyes on her I knew I didn’t have a chance. He would never leave her to be with me.

She’s so beautiful, so sophisticated.

She looks like a queen with a body of a model.

“Heather,” Beth calls after me. I can’t handle any questions right now, but I have no choice but to answer her.

Swiping up my tears that started to leak out slowly, I put on a fake smile and turn. “Yes?”

“Oh,” she states, her face turning from curious to knowing in a flash. “Are you all right, dear?”

“Yes, Beth,” I say when in actuality I want to scream that no, I’m not all right. I just told a married man that I love him.

“Mr. Matthews is here to see you,” Beth gestures to the chairs that are on the right side of her desk. And sure enough, the kind eyes of Eric Matthews lie on me.

“Oh,” I fist my hand harder hoping that the panties I’m holding aren’t visible under the file in my arm. “Mr. Matthews, how can I help you?”

I have no idea what he’s doing here, we closed that deal weeks ago. If there’s anything that is left unresolved, he should talk with Nick. I have completed my part of the job.

And look where it got you. I remind myself sarcastically.

“I wanted to talk to you, Miss. Turner, but if it’s a bad time, I can come some other time,” he looks towards Beth who shrugs her shoulders.

“No, No, of course not. Now is perfectly fine,” I lie, clenching my teeth. “If you would follow me,” I wait until he reaches me, then send another fake smile Beth’s way and lead Mr. Matthews to my office.

Sitting down, I throw the file on my desk and discreetly put my ruined panties in my bag.

“Are you sure you all right, Miss. Turner?”

“Yes, yes,” I repeat on autopilot. “Now how can I help you?” I know I’ve been a part of the deal he made with Nick, but once the contracts were signed that’s where my role ended. He sold Nick the controlling percentage of his company, so any requests, demands or business opportunities he has should go through Nick.

“I know this is not how things are done,” he pulls at his tie, then smoothes it over his large chest. I can’t help but notice that for an elderly man, he looks good. I wonder if Nick will look this good when he’s older. “But I’ve been trying to get hold of you. You’ve impressed me at all those meetings, holding the room captive and being on top of your game.”

“Thank you,” I’m surprised, never in a million years would I expect him to say this.

“I know Nick would hate to lose you, but I’m here to offer you a job. I would like for us to meet and discuss this further,” he finishes.

I’m here to offer you a job.

Nick would hate to lose you.

I love you.

The last words that flow through my mind are the ones that Nick said to me.

Presented with the perfect exit strategy from the situation I found myself in, all I can think are those words.

I love you.

I love you. I love you.

They echo in my head over and over again.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Matthews,” I stand up abruptly. “I have to go. Could we please finish this some other time?”

“Yes, of course,” he slowly rises from his seat looking me over. “I’ll send you an email with my offer and you can call me to discuss it and what it would take to bring you over.”

Nodding, I murmur “Thank you,” I grab my bag and walk out almost colliding with Beth in the hallway.

“Heather are you sure you’re okay?” she has a firm hold on my upper arms and this time I can’t hide my tears.

“No,” I mouth, my throat clogged not letting any sound out.

“I knew this would happen,” she mutters almost to herself. Giving me a squeeze, she rushes out, “Go. Get out of here.”

I don’t ask her if she’s sure. I don’t ask what she meant by saying she knew something would happen.

I say a hoarse “Thank you,” and run out determined to flee this situation.

If only it would be that easy.