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“Why is she your problem?” Angelica smoothed out her skirt. “Her own family doesn’t want to assist her.”
“Why would you say that?”
“I…I don’t… No reason.”
“What do you know?” I removed my suit jacket and draped it over the conference table chair. “What have you been discussing with Travis?”
“Nothing.” She stepped closer to me. “I’m helping you. Let me.”
“I’m pulling you from this project.” Her obvious dislike for Ivy irritated me. I needed her off this until I could pass her back off to her grandfather. She wasn’t worth the trouble.
“No.” She draped her free arm over my shoulder. “I’ve already built a relationship with the Girardi brothers.”
“I told you that wasn’t necessary last night.” I eased back and created some distance between us. “I’ll handle Ivy.”
“I’ll get you what you need.” She came close to me again. “You don’t have to be with her anymore.”
“I’m not with her because I want her house. Do you understand that?”
“I think you got caught up the other night before you knew who she was,” she said. “That’s my fault.”
“How would that be your fault?”
“Because if I would have told you how I felt months ago.” She ran the backs of her fingers over my jaw. “You would never have had to invite her up to your suite.” She bit the corner of her lip. “I’m tired of denying what I feel.”
Shit.
“Huxley, I’ve developed some really strong feelings for you, and I shouldn’t have kept them from you.”
“Angelica, I need you to stop this conversation right now.” I moved away from her, this time creating enough space that she wouldn’t be able to touch me. “I appreciate you wanting to be honest, but I know where you’re headed with this, and I don’t reciprocate those feelings.”
“Because of her?”
“No.”
“If I would have admitted my feelings sooner, you and I could be together.”
“We’re colleagues,” I reminded her. “I’m your boss. I don’t see you as a romantic interest. I should have been clear about that when you started dropping all those hints.”
“I didn’t drop any hints.”
“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, but I’ve always remained professional. I’ve never done anything inappropriate.”
“Until you slept with Ivy.”
“Which has nothing to do with you,” I said.
“It has everything to do with me. If I had just been brave enough to tell you I was falling for you…” She slammed her hand on my desk. “Do you know how many times I wanted to tell you? I had planned to tell you at the gala the other night, but then you disappeared. You were having sex with her. I could have stopped that. But instead, you inadvertently screwed up your chances to get her house. Don’t you see? I could have prevented that.”
“You couldn’t have. Ivy isn’t ready to let that house go.” I shook my head. “I’m going to need you to step away as my attorney.”
“Why?”
“You know why,” I said. “The lines are now blurred. You can’t work for me.”
“But I told you how I feel. If you give me a chance, we can see where this goes. I’m better suited for you. Can’t you see that?”
I can see a lot of things now.
