“Umm, I kind of feel like I’m living it.” I skirt the truth. I do feel like I’m living it, but I know that Ainsley is not one-hundred-percent happy. That she needs more from her life than being a landscaper’s assistant.
She narrows her eyes at me. “Liar.”
I let out a sigh, debating how much to share.
“We aren’t supposed to be talking about work,” I remind her.
“This is my life’s goals, though. It’s not our work on a daily basis or talking about upcoming contracts.”
“Okay, my goal is to keep growing the company, although I’m not sure how much growth we can logically handle at the moment.”
“And what are your goals outside of work?” she digs.
Telling her the truth scares me, but I remind myself I need to. Being honest is a huge thing for us after my earlier fuck-up with lying.
“My goals outside of work are figuring out how to keep you. How to keep you happy and in my life, however that looks.”
Her eyes widen. I don’t think she was expecting that kind of honesty, but I promised her no more lies.
“What about you? Where do you see your life in five years?”
Her shoulders slump in defeat, and I instantly regret asking. I know she’s struggling with her career and what she wants to do. I shouldn’t have pushed, knowing how much she’s struggling with things.
“I see… I don’t know what I see. I feel like I’ve been thinking about this nonstop, and I’m not any closer to answers than I was months ago.”
My heart crumbles in my chest a little.I knowthis is how she feels. We’ve talked about it before, but I was hoping I would start factoring in at some point.
“But I do know I like having you in it. I have no idea where my life is going, but I know I want you in it,” she whispers so quietly, I almost don’t hear the last part. But I do, and my very fragile heart feels stronger. Bandaged up with her words pounding in my chest.
“We can figure it out together. I’m here for support in whatever way you need, even if that means you no longer work with me.” I smirk, letting her know whatever she decides is more than okay with me as long as we’re together.
I love you.
That’s what I hope my words convey without scaring her away. Because I do love her. I think in some convoluted way, it was always supposed to be Ainsley, it just took us a while to get here.
We stare at each other for a moment before the server interrupts, and we order our food. The rest of dinner is far lighter on topic. I think we both want to pull back from the heavy feelings and just enjoy our second official date.
When we finish, Ainsley leans back in her chair with her hands on her stomach.
“Oh my God, I ate too much. You may have to wheel me out to the truck,” she groans.
I laugh. “I’ll carry you anywhere baby, you know that.”
The smile that spreads over her face is worth every second of sneaking around.
“You ready to go home?” I ask. After all, I have plans for her and that dress.
“Definitely.”
I help her stand and lead her out to the truck, both of us lost in the magic of our date. After getting her settled, I walk around the hood of the truck and feel my phone vibrate, so I pull it out to make sure nothing happened with my siblings.
Rina:
Fancy date you’ve got there.
My heart sinks and I frantically look around, but I can’t find her.
Shit, this is exactly what Ainsley didn’t want.
