“Got it.”
Sarah turned to leave. She made it to the door before Lizzie spoke.
“Sarah?”
She stopped. “Yes?”
“Can I talk to you for a second? Privately?”
Chrisla looked between them, clearly sensing something. “I’ll go check on the vans. Make sure they’re gassed up.”
After she left, Lizzie stood up. “I just wanted to say, about last night. Your secret is safe with me.”
Her ribs suddenly felt two sizes too small. “Lizzie—”
“I mean it. I won’t tell anyone. I know what it would mean for you if people found out.” Lizzie crossed her arms. “I also wanted to say I’m sorry for kissing you. I was drunk and stupid, and I put you in a bad position.”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
“I do though. You’re my boss. It was unprofessional.” Lizzie met her eyes. “But for what it’s worth, I don’t regret it.”
The words hung in the air between them. Sarah should say something professional. Something about boundaries and appropriate workplace behavior.
Instead she said, “I don’t regret it either.”
Lizzie’s breath caught. “Oh.”
“But it can’t happen again.”
“Right. Of course.” Lizzie looked down. “Too complicated.”
“Too complicated,” Sarah agreed.
“Okay. Well. I should go help Chrisla.” Lizzie grabbed her bag. “See you tomorrow?”
“See you tomorrow.”
Lizzie left. Sarah stood there, shaking, because she knew she just lied.
Because it was going to happen again. She could feel it. The pull between them was too strong, the want too intense. It was just a question of when.
Sarah went back to her office and closed the door. She pulled up the vendor emails again, tried to focus.
Her phone sat on the desk. No more calls from her mother. Just the usual notifications. Meeting reminders. Staff schedules.
She thought about Esmeralda’s words.You’re allowed to want things.
But wanting things had never been simple for Sarah. Every want came with a cost. Every choice had consequences.
What would wanting Lizzie cost her?
Everything, probably.
This was going to be a disaster.
But god, she wanted it anyway.
Chapter 11
