When I picked up my phone to set my alarm, I found another message from Ben on the screen. One that brought that flare of hope back to life.
I'll wait.
Tears welled in my eyes as relief bloomed inside my chest. Maybe I hadn't fucked everything up after all.
* * *
I walkedinto my office at ten Monday morning. I hadn't slept much the night before, but I'd woken up feeling more like a human being rather than a wet rag full of regret and self-loathing.
I was ready to take on whatever problem Barnes threw at me and get the hell back home. To Farley.
I realized this morning that I was going back. I wouldn't put off finding my own place any longer. That despite my issues with Ben, I loved being around people I cared about on a daily basis. For years, I'd been isolating myself and I never recognized it.
I had sabotaged my own happiness. But now that I was aware of it, I wanted to change it.
I wanted to be happy, dammit. I didn't want to be alone all the time. I missed Cam and her parents. They were more of a family to me than my own mother and father.
I'd never acknowledged it before now and it was past time I did. Colette and Malcolm treated me the way they treated their other two children. My own fear and issues had blinded me to the truth.
Somehow in the last couple of months, Farley had become home and I was eager to return.
As soon as my ass hit my chair, my assistant, Trudy, stuck her head in the door.
"Hey, boss. You want a coffee?"
"Do kids like candy?"
She grinned and disappeared from sight. I never expected her to get my coffee, but I definitely appreciated it. Trudy was an awesome assistant and she really should have been promoted by now. I'd put her up for several since we started working together, but for one reason or another, she was never moved up.
When I discovered I was getting promoted, I insisted that Trudy remain with me and that she get a raise. If they wouldn't promote her with my encouragement, then I would at least make them give her more money.
I had a feeling that Trudy was passed over because she was a lot like me—hardworking, outspoken, and unwilling to kiss ass to get ahead.
I liked all of those traits but she didn't play the game and, unfortunately, it hurt her. Just like it hurt me.
When Trudy brought my coffee in, she shut the door behind her, a sure sign that she had information for me.
I thanked her for the cup and sipped the coffee. Trudy sat on the opposite side of my desk, her expression pinched, but she didn't speak.
"What's going on?" I asked.
Trudy inhaled and blew the breath out hard. "I need to resign."
I nearly choked on my coffee. That was not what I was expecting.
"What?" I put the cup down and leaned forward. "Why?"
She looked torn.
"You can tell me, Trudy. Whatever it is. I want to help you."
Trudy leaned forward and lowered her voice. "Because Barnes expects me to assist his assistant on top of my duties for you. Apparently, when you're not in the office, I'm supposed to work ten- or twelve-hour days."
I frowned. Trudy's position was salaried but it wasn't enough to warrant that kind of overtime, even after her promotion and raise. Sure, sometimes I needed her to work late, but most of the time we handled everything during business hours.
"That's not right. And I thought you were working remotely when I did."
She shook her head. "Not anymore. Mr. Barnes said the policy is different in my current position and I have to be in the office five days a week."
