Page 79 of Help Wanted

This was too familiar,Zane thought as he went into the office after making sure Kenley had left. He knew she would be leaving early for a flight and would be gone all week.

He wanted nothing more than to talk to her, to work things out, but when he’d pulled onto the street that morning, he’d kept driving and gone back home.

What if she was happy after her date with Scott? Worse, what if she had that after-sex glow? The same glow he’d seen while she lay in his arms, happy and sated. He wouldn’t survive it.

Paul and a few of the guys had been there this morning. He couldn’t risk going in and making a scene. Not that Kenley was the kind of woman to make a scene. And his excuse didn’t explain why he hadn’t gone in later in the morning after everyone else had left.

He sat at his desk and pulled the pile of mail closer. The top letter didn’t have an address or a stamp on it. The only thing written on the outside was his name, “Zane.” He recognized the writing as Kenley’s, and ran his finger under the flap as his heart raced.

“Oh no.” he said when he read the first line.

This letter serves to inform you of my two-week notice. While I enjoyed my time working at New Haven Custom Boats, I have another opportunity I feel I need to pursue.

“Another opportunity, my ass.” She was a bigger coward than he was. And that was really saying something.

After reading the short letter three times, and not getting any answers, he pulled out his phone to call her.

He expected it to go to voicemail, but to his surprise she answered on the second ring with a brusque “Hello.”

He didn’t know what to say first.

“It’s me. Zane.” As if she would have forgotten him so quickly.

“Yes, I know. It says so on my phone.” Of course it did. He was making things worse.

“I got your letter.”

“I see. So you were in the office today. Did you sit on the street and wait for me to leave before you went in?” He winced and rubbed his temple.

“No.” But he had driven by slowly to make sure she was gone. “I don’t want you to quit. Can we please talk about this?” he asked, not caring if he sounded desperate. “I know we decided to keep things strictly business, but I wasn’t doing that. I was staying away because I didn’t think I’d be able to be near you without wanting more. And I know I’m not supposed to say that, but I really don’t have anything to lose at this point.”

“It’s my fault. I thought if we kept things professional everything would be fine, but it’s not. We can’t go back to how it was. And things are too tense between us now. This is for the best.”

“Are you seeing Scott now?” It was none of his business, and as much as he didn’t want to know, he needed to know.

“I took this job hoping to interact with coworkers, learn from them, and advance my career with the company. It has become apparent that my supervisor does not share my goals. Besides, I’ve recently learned that my old position with Hasher and Borne is available, and it’s been offered to me.”

“You want to go back there?”

“I stayed very busy in New York. Busy enough to keep me from being alone every night.”

She was alone every night. So was he. He hated it and knew she must hate it too. They should be together. Why couldn’t he just tell her how he felt?

“This is about me not coming into the office or calling.”

“This is about me wanting to be a part of something.”

She could have meant the company, but maybe she meant something else. She wanted to be part of a relationship? With him.

“I have to go. They’re calling my flight.”

“Okay. Let me know if you need anything. We’ll talk when you get back. Please don’t do anything until we’ve spoken.”

She didn’t respond. She simply hung up.

He tapped the letter on his desk, his world tossing like a ship on stormy seas.

He’d be better off if he stopped thinking about her altogether. He should just let her go. She would be happy in New York. And he could hire a nice, competent replacement. Not that she would be easy to replace. She ran his office without a hitch. What would he do without her?