“I know Mr. Noble and his family and want to make sure I earned this position.”
“I can assure you, he doesn’t know I offered you a job. Do you need to think about it overnight?”
“No, I love it here. I’ll take the position. Where do I sign?”
The paperwork is painless, but it takes a long time to review. I sign a few non-disclosure agreements—one for Zenith, and one for Ahz. I initial my job proposal and new salary, and then Della explains benefits and company policy. After several hours, she shakes my hand and sends me on my way.
It’s one thirty, and I’ve missed my lunch date with Damon. I pull out my phone and see one text message, one voicemail message, and an email.
Lunch is getting cold.
Did you get caught up somewhere?
I’m worried.
Damon
The email was more detailed.
From: Damon Noble
To: Katarina Cross
Subject: Where are you?
Where are you? Lunch has come and gone, and I’ve been waiting for you. It’s not like you to not text or call. I’m worried. Call me as soon as you see this message.
Yours,
Damon
I get ready to listen to his voicemail when my phone rings. It’s him.
“Hi! I’m so sorry. I got caught up with something and couldn’t contact you.”
“Thank goodness. I was worried about you. I thought maybe you had an accident. I kept thinking of that horrific crash we saw on the way to your parents’ house. My heart’s been in my stomach since you missed lunch.”
“I’m okay, and I didn’t mean to worry you. What’s your schedule like this afternoon? I want to show you the gift bags, and I have news to share with you, but right now, I need to meet with Trevor.”
“I’ll free up time for you. My schedule is clear after four, but you can come in whenever you want.” He lets out a breath. “I’m so relieved you’re okay. Please, never do that again.”
“I’m glad to hear your heart dropped into the bottom of your stomach. It proves you have one. See you later.” I giggle as I hang up.
Trevor and I end up at the same hamburger joint we went to the day Damon saw me in the elevator. That was the day he learned I was interning at his company. It’s kind of ironic because later, I’ll tell him I work for him permanently.
At four o’clock, I walk into Damon’s office carrying one of the large leather bags. Sitting on top is the crowning glory of my accomplishment—a copy of Bound tied with a red silk scarf. He rises from his chair and takes the bag from my hands, placing it on his desk.
“This looks amazing. You haven’t added an invitation to the book club, have you?” he teases.
“No, book club is by invite only, and I’m not interested in opening it to others.”
“I’m relieved, I wouldn’t be open to sharing either.” His lips brush my cheek. “What kept you today? I ate both bowls of wonton soup and egg rolls waiting for you.”
“What a sacrifice that must have been,” I tug at my jacket. “I received a job offer and was negotiating my package.”
His expression goes from wry to wary. He’s definitely not happy about the job, but I left out the fact that it’s here. It was my way of confirming he didn’t know about the offer.
“You took a job?” The light in his eyes dim.
“Yes. It’s a great company. They have fantastic benefits, and the pay is good. The best perk is that I’ll be able to hook up with the president at lunch.”
His face goes from confusion to realization.
“You got a job here?” The light is back. His eyes sparkle like gemstones in the sun. “I’m not surprised. You’re a capable woman. What position did you get?”
“I’m Trevor’s assistant.”
“Hmm. That man gets to see you more than I do. Is it wrong for me to feel jealous?”
“That man would rather see you than me. He has specific tastes, and you’re right up his alley.”
“I never guessed, but hearing that makes him the perfect man for you to work with.”
The changes in Damon’s demeanor make me dizzy. I see concern, happiness, wickedness, anger, and now elation. I love elation the best.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“Katarina Cross,” the chancellor calls, and the roar of my fan club is deafening. Who would have thought I’d have so many people attending my graduation? The same roar happens when Emma climbs the stairs to receive her diploma.
We gather after the ceremony to take obligatory pictures.
My parents beam with pride as they hug me. We rotate through the group, making sure everyone gets their picture taken with the graduates. This will be the first picture Damon and I take together.
Damon’s mom surprises me with her attendance, but she doesn’t stay long because she has patients to attend to. Instead, we agree to meet for dinner the next night. Damon’s not invited because Rose wants me all to herself, and that makes him uncomfortable and unhappy.
As the crowd dies down, we go to Anthony Haywood’s to celebrate. Anthony set up a private room in the back for us.
He makes the day special for Emma. Seeing them together, warms my heart. They’re in love, and Anthony makes no secret of it when he pulls her into his arms and tells her.
I stand to the side and watch them bask in love’s glow. It occurs to me Damon may never say those three words I long to hear.
Can I be in a relationship where I’ll never hear him say, I love you?
I can’t imagine it. My life is centered around love. Love of family. Love of friends.
“A penny for your thoughts,” Damon says. “You look troubled.”
I glance at Emma and sigh.
“They look happy and in love, don’t they?”
“I know little about love, but they do look happy and content.”
I face him. “Do you think happy and content are enough? Is that what you want in your life? Are you okay with just being content?”
“Is content a bad thing?” His forehead furrows. “I thought you were happy?”
“I am happy, for now.” My heart sinks. It won’t be okay forever.
We stay through dinner and dessert and the opening of presents. Even I have gifts.
Rose gave me a day at the spa. My parents gave me a check for five thousand dollars and said it was left over from the college fund they’d set up when I was a kid. Trevor gave me a hard time, but he brought flowers and a card.
“I’m tired, can you take me home?”
Damon studies me but nods and walks me to his car.
Back home, I change and climb into bed.
The day exhausted me, and my emotions ran the gamut: There was relief that I graduated. Joy at seeing my family. Jealousy as my best friend stared lovingly into her man’s eyes. Finally, shock when my brother sidled up to Trevor.
I sink into my pillow, happy to be in Damon’s arms. He reaches over to grab something from the floor.
“I have a gift for you, too. It’s personal, and I wanted to give it to you in private.” In his hand is a blue velvet box.
I open it and find a beautiful and delicate necklace. Hanging from the thin chain is a gold angel wing. On the back is a tiny engraving that says, ‘Forever Mine.’