On shaky legs, I step around him, struggling to make sense of the emotions whirling around my head.
I’ve crossed a professional boundary. What the hell was I thinking?
I wasn’t. I wasn’t thinking. I let myself get carried away.
I almost ruined everything.
Clutching my hand to my mouth I walk to the door and unlock it, then glance back.
Sterling’s gaze is cast downward to the pink rose quartz heart on his desk.
“I’m so sorry,” I murmur and leave before his eyes have the chance to meet mine again.
13
HALLIDAY
Stupid,stupid, stupid.
It’s repeating like a mantra in my head, re-playing last night’s events over and over. I returned to the dinner table like nothing happened, followed by Sterling a few minutes later. I felt his gaze burning across the table for the rest of the evening, but I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.
To face what I’d done.
He’s my client.
I groan inwardly, pressing my fingertips to my aching temples and massaging them.
The coffee line grinds to a halt as a girl at the front reels off a long order. I don’t mind the wait. Waiting in line is preferable to anything else I need to do today… like face Sterling.
My phone rings in my bag, and I pull it out.
“Dad?” I say as it connects.
“How are you, love? It’s been a few days. Your mother and I were worried.”
I almost smile for the first time since Sterling and I kissed.
Two days. It’s been two days since I spoke to Mum and updated her on everything I’ve done here. All the sights I’ve seen, the shopping I’ve done with Sinclair, and the food we ate.
“I’m fine,” I lie, failing to push past the tension that’s fogged my head since I woke up. Even meditating hasn’t taken the edge off.
“And work?”
“Great.” Another lie.
“Oh well, that’s good news. Your mother will be happy. She’s missing you. She said you and her are going to watch that new movie when you come back. The one with that American fella in—what’s his name?”
“Jay Anderson.”
“That’s him. Your mother’s excited. We can get the guest room ready?”
The hope in his voice is like a barrel full of ants just tipped over in my stomach.
“Sure. Thanks.”
Mum and Dad love when I visit home. I have my place in London that Sophie keeps an eye on for me when I’m away. Sometimes I let it out as an Airbnb if I think I’m going to be away for a while. Mum and Dad are always relieved when I take clients on closer to home. I know they worry with me being away.
And I know their house has felt too quiet and empty since we lost Jenny.
