“Will I still be interviewing with Mr. Icinda’s son?” I asked just as we reached the last office, confused about why his office was dark and unoccupied when I’d expected to interview with him.
“Of course, he’s just in here.”
My eyes left the empty office and focused on the open door ahead of us. I stumbled, my foot twisting in my heel as my eyes locked with Gabe’s.
“Are you all right?” Tina said as Gabe approached the door. His eyes were shadowed, the steely look he’d had yesterday darkening them.
“I’m fine,” I said, staring at Gabe. “Just a little thrown off.”
“William, this is Victoria Hent.”
“Miss Hent,” Gabe said, extending his hand as if we were meeting for the first time. I swallowed back the emotion as I played along. Tingles shot up my arm when our hands touched.
What was he doing here? My world was spinning, and my legs were wobbling as I followed him into the office.
“I thought I was meeting with…I mean, I thought…” I didn’t know what I thought anymore, and now I sounded like a fool.
“Tina, would you mind getting Miss Hent a bottle of water before we get started? I should have gotten Sean to get it, but I didn’t think.”
“Of course. I could use one myself. I’ll be back in a few.”
She bustled out of the office, closing the door behind her.
“What is going on, Gabe? Are you stalking me now? First my hotel room and now this?”
That gorgeous smirk that made my insides melt peeked out at me. “I’m not stalking you. It’s a long story.” He ran his hand through his hair, and the man I still loved returned.
“Why did she call you William?”
“Because that’s my name. William Gabriel Icinda. William Icinda is my father, but I used his mother’s maiden name for anonymity when I was in Florida.”
My head swirled. “Secrets. This is one of your damned secrets?”
“I told you. It’s a long story.”
The door opened, and Tina came in with two water bottles.
“I was just explaining to Miss Hent that I took over as CEO as of yesterday, which is the reason my last position is open.”
Yesterday, when he’d been standing in the lobby, telling me he had a meeting to attend. When our lives had intersected once again.
“Yes, we’ve had quite the change in the last twenty-four hours. Please sit.”
I hadn’t realized Gabe and I were still standing, our eyes on each other and nowhere else. This was a disaster. I couldn’t interview with him, pretend I hadn’t spent eight months of my life loving him and the next five years in a love/hate relationship with memories of him as I raised our son.
Still, I sat, unsure what my next move would be.
“So, tell me why you left Bradman Holdings, Miss Hent,” Gabe asked, entirely too calm and unfazed by this.
“Victoria,” I corrected him. I tried not to fidget with my hands. “I spent three years bringing them to financial security, stabilizing their balance sheets, and cutting out frivolous costs. It seemed like the right time to leave and look for a new challenge.” I rubbed my wrist, that firm hold still itching under my skin. The memory of the day I’d walked away still fresh in my mind. “We parted on friendly terms, as I’m sure you know from your diligent background checks.”
He glanced at Tina, who nodded. That’s why he had said nothing yesterday. He had left the vetting up to others and not bothered to look at the candidates until now. More questionsfollowed, typical for this level position and ones for which I had prepared. Listing the ways I could make the company more efficient and build it back to the dynasty it had once been.
“You mentioned a son the last time we spoke,” Tina said, and Gabe’s spine went straight.
“Yes, Reid. He’ll be five later this month. The joy of my life, even if his father abandoned us.”
Out of my periphery, I saw Gabe’s jaw tighten and thought I heard teeth grinding.
