“Yes. I do.” She swallows hard, her eyes brimming with tears. “But you’re giving me what you think you owe me.”
My heart drops into my stomach. She moves for the door, and when I reach for her arm, she steps away.
“I can’t do this, Holden.” Her eyes shine, but she won’t look at me. “Not like this. Not because of some curse. Not because you need something from me. I needed you to want me from your heart. To believe in me on your own.”
My chest cracks open.
“That’s not fair,” I breathe. “I do believe in you.”
“It’s completely fair.” She opens the door, cold wind sweeping in around her. “And deep down inside, you know it.”
Then she’s gone. Leaving me standing in my living room with the taste of her still on my lips and the sinking realization that I just fucked everything up.
Chapter 10
Holden
I’m staring at my phone like it might explode.
Atlanta left my house three days ago, and I haven’t heard from her since. She’s not responding to my texts. She ignored my call yesterday. Even Carter noticed the tension one day at work.
“What did you do?” he’d asked, arms crossed.
“I’m an idiot.”
“Yeah, but what kind of idiot?”
I told him everything. About the kiss, the promotion comment, the way she walked out. He just shook his head and walked away muttering something about me deserving to be alone.
He’s not wrong.
I scrub my face and head to the kitchen for coffee when my phone rings. Unknown number, out of state area code. Normally I’d let it go to voicemail, but something makes me answer.
“Holden Carmichael.”
“Mr. Carmichael, this is Patricia Chen from Stellar Design Group in Seattle. I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time?”
Seattle. My stomach drops.
“No, it’s fine. What can I do for you?”
“I’m calling regarding Atlanta Creekmore. She’s applied for our lead designer position, and you’re listed as her current supervisor. Do you have a few minutes to discuss her qualifications?”
The words hit me like a physical blow. She’s leaving. She’s actually leaving.
And it’s my fault.
“Of course,” I manage, my voice steadier than I feel. “I’d be happy to talk about Atlanta. But let me start by saying that she’s an incredible lead designer.”
“Wonderful. Can you speak to her technical skills first? Her portfolio is impressive, but I’d love your perspective on her day-to-day capabilities.”
I sink onto the couch, the same couch where I kissed her three days ago. Where I ruined everything.
“Atlanta is the most talented designer I’ve ever worked with.” The truth comes easily because it’s been true since the day I hired her. “She has an incredible eye for spatial relationships and understands how to balance aesthetic with function better than anyone on my team. Including me.”
“That’s high praise.”
“It’s deserved.”
