Page 101 of Over the Limit

Oh. My. God.

“No one will know,” I repeat.

“And yet you were so careful that I found you on an off Wednesday night when I just happened to come into Nice and have dinner with an associate. But sure, no one will find out.”

My entire body vibrates with the adrenaline of being put on the spot. Of having to face my boss and explain myself. Of fearing I might lose my job or never get the chance to plan another event again.

My hands sweat. My cheeks heat. My pulse races.

“My personal life will not interfere.”

“I don’t want to have to discuss this topic again until after the gala. I know you’ve busted your ass to get here, but I have twenty-three years under my belt. The last thing I want is my service here with the company tainted because I put you in charge, and you’re giving favors to a spoiled heiress to secure your boyfriend a contract.”

“Whoa. That’s a long reach there. Have I ever used my position or the person’s I’m seeing to gain something? No. Do I have anything to do with contract negotiations? Again, no. Have I tried to mitigate Monica’s ridiculous requests over and over so that we don’t have to comply while seeming gracious for the Tori Michelle performance? Yes. So if you are questioning any of those three things, then it’s clear you undervalue what I’ve contributed to our department and there’s nothing more for me to say.”

“I don’t undervalue you at all. In fact, I want the world for you and don’t want any of this other stuff to taint it. We have the world watching us, Blair. A world of rabid F1 fans who will do or say anything to support their driver. We need clear-cut lines that we don’t cross. That’s all I’m saying.”

“No one will know about Lachlan and me until after the gala. That’s the best I can give you. My private life is just that—private. And while I understand all that you’re saying and the assumptions that could be made, my work stands on its own.”

“Great. Glad we cleared that up. You can see yourself out,” he says and looks back down at the work in front of him, effectively dismissing me.

I stand there for a few seconds before turning on my heel and walking out, hating that as a woman, I’m being judged on who I’m dating and not the worthiness of my work.

At least that’s what it feels like right now.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Lachlan

She looks exhausted.

And defeated.

Her meeting with Paolo went as well as can be expected. I’m proud of her for standing her ground, and yet it’s obvious it’s taken its toll on her.

“You’re here,” she says when she sees me sitting in her flat waiting for her. How could I not be when she’s being forced to go to battle because of me?

“I’m here.” I hold my arms out and she crawls into them, snuggling up beside me on the couch.

I hate this for her.

I hate everything about it. And I can’t fix a goddamn thing about it.

If I hadn’t pursued her . . .

Then we wouldn’t have this right now. We wouldn’t have each other.

I breathe her in and close my eyes as she settles in—her head on my chest, her hand over my heart, the warmth of her breath against my shirt.

“I love you,” I murmur into the top of her head.

The one emotion I’ve never felt for another person outside of my family. I don’t expect her to say it back, in fact I’m glad she doesn’t. Her silence says she’s been through the wringer over the past forty-eight hours and my silent support—my quiet love—is exactly what she needs to know she’s cared for.

I love you.

They’re the easiest three words I’ve ever had the pleasure of saying.

Three words that sound so little but that say so goddamn much.