Perhaps I was just a footnote.
That thought caused more hurt and confusion to grow, so perhaps it was better to leave before Gunnar pushed me out. Yes. That was smart. I’d walk away while I could still stand on my own two feet. Here I just seemed to sink deeper and deeper into quicksand.
It was past time for me to get on with my life. To find something where I wouldn’t be temporary.
Gunnar
This whole day had been anticlimactic, though it should have felt like a victory. Jeff Cross could no longer cause chaos or pain, and the Wildcatters could breathe again. Instead of relief, though, for the entire drive home, Zaila’s empty office weighed on my mind.
When I entered, the house was quiet. Zaila sat at the kitchen island, her long, elegant fingers wrapped around a mug of tea. The lamplight caught the purplish smudges under her eyes. She lifted her head and gave me a polite smile, the kind you’d give a stranger holding open a door.
“An eventful day,” she murmured.
“Yes, and I was frustrated because I missed you,” I said. “I’m so sorry that happened.”
“I’m okay.”
Zaila wasn’t okay. It was like I could see her slipping away, and now I wasn’t sure if it was the grief or the hell Jay had put her through. “I’m sorry the meetings took forever, but I had to hash out details with Silas and talk to the press. We had to sort through Jeff’s contract, the lawyers—long day.”
Her gaze dropped to the tea. “I heard he’s gone.”
“Yeah.” I dragged a hand over my face. “It really should have happened sooner. That’s on me. I didn’t because…” I trailed off, not wanting to delve into the mistakes that had caused Zaila so much pain.
She nodded. “I’m glad. For the team.”
“I want your time with the Wildcatters to be happier,” I said with a long sigh. She stiffened, her head still bent. “It’ll be better when you return. I’ll make sure you have the support you need.” I crossed to her and brushed my fingers over her shoulder. She didn’t pull away, but she didn’t lean in either. She was just…still. Too still.
“Zaila. Please, tell me. Are you okay?” I asked, my heart thumping against my ribs.
“Fine.” The word was flat.
I wanted to press, but I was bone-tired and afraid that if I pushed, I’d break whatever fragile thread still tethered her here. After a long moment of debate, I let it go. We’d talk soon, when we were rested, when I had the ring I’d commissioned.
Everything would be perfect.
She rose from the stool, setting the mug in the sink. “I’m tired, and I need to make sure I have everything together for Lennon and Vivian’s wedding.”
“Zaila—”
She glanced back, her expression unreadable, before she offered a small smile. “Like you said, it’s all fixed now.” She headed upstairs. “Both Jeff and Jay are gone.”
Later, when I slid into bed after wolfing down a sandwich over the sink, she was already on her side with her back to me. I curled close and rested my hand on her waist. She didn’t move, didn’t give any indication she was awake, though I was pretty sure she was.
“Love you,” I whispered into her hair.
Her breathing was steady, even. Maybe she was asleep. Well, I wouldn’t wake her. We’d talk after the wedding.
Chapter 36
Gunnar
My day started much too early—at 4:00—with an issue at one of my oil fields and spiraled from there. By the time I returned from the crisis, which my staff had worked diligently to mostly contain by later afternoon, I had just enough time to prepare and get to Lennon and Vivian’s wedding with Zaila. I was dragging from lack of sleep and worry about her subdued demeanor the night before.
Zaila remained quiet on the way to the wedding. I wasn’t sure if she was grieving her mother or unhappy about the way things had gone at work yesterday. Probably both.
“You’ll be able to return to the office Monday,” I told her. “The Jay/ Jeff situation is all sorted.”
“Great.”
