Willow pursed her lips. “No. I haven’t. It’syouwho’ve said enough. Far too much.”
Grumbling under my breath, I called up a web browser and continued my hunt for Fiona and Damon. I permitted Willow and my staff to bring in the business, and money, while I searched for that troublesome pair. Oh, sure, I meet and talk with prospective customers, home buyers and property investors. I’ll sell beach front condos to retirees who want to sit in the sun and watch the ocean.
The grunt work was left to my staff.
This real estate business was primarily a front, a cover, for my main purpose in life.
Running a country humans knew nothing about.
Throughout the day, Willow gave me the shoulder cold enough to create snow inside my office. I did my best to ignore her, but my own regret at having treated Hayley so badly kept rising until I saw nothing else. I knew I should apologize. Her mistake of not yet unpacking fresh brochures for the stand in the lobby was so minor as to be worthy of a simple reminder. Still, why should I apologize to her?
It’s not like Hayley meant anything to me.
At the end of the day, Hayley rushed from the office as though her ass was on fire. The way she ducked her head, her silver gilt hair tumbling from her tidy bun, made me angry all over again. How dare she make me feel guilty? Who is she to demand I lower myself to her level?
“You’re going to let her go like that?”
I snapped my face around to glare at Willow. “I don’t have to chase her down and apologize.”
Willow shrugged. “No. You don’t. You disappoint me, Alaric.”
I slam my hands down on my desk and stand up. “I’m going flying. Are you thinking you can stop me?”
“No. I wouldn’t even think to try.”
Chapter Three
Hayley
“Please don’t let him get to you.”
“How can I not? He’s my boss.”
“I’m your boss,” Willow said primly. “He’s an asshole.”
I choked on a laugh that’s almost a sob. “I very nearly didn’t come in today.”
Willow perched her hip on the side of my desk. “Listen, sweetie. Alaric is a good guy. He has a tough time showing it, though. He has a huge responsibility and a heavy weight on his shoulders. Don’t give up on us. Don’t quit. Please.”
“If I didn’t have such a tough time at home,” I admitted, “I would have. I need this job so I can get my own place.”
“Just give him a little time. Okay?”
I look up into her sweet, matronly face with curiosity. “Why do you want me to stick around? I know you can fill this job the minute you advertise for it.”
Willow gazed down at her hands for a long time as though trying to decide on something. At last, she looked me in the eyes and smiled. “Simply understand this, Hayley. You came to us for the right reason and at the right time. Nothing else is as important.”
“That makes no sense at all.”
“I know, dear. Just do your work and let fate take its course.”
I shook my head as Willow returned to her office. “That’s the weirdest pep talk I’ve ever listened to.”
Fortunately, Alaric didn’t come to work. I answered the phone, directed calls to Willow and Richard, rewrote two more blogs, and smiled cheerfully at the clients who came in to have a sit down chat with Richard. All in all, a very peaceful and satisfying day at the office.
Unfortunately, the shit hit the fan upon my return home.
***
