Page 101 of Too Good to Be True

“Not only that, but he’s your boss’s nephew. What would Fran think if she knew?”

Britney’s jealousy was one thing, but now she’d just voiced one of Stacy’s biggest concerns. Still, Stacy wasn’t willing to give her the upper hand.

“Whatever you think—”

“I don’t think. I know,” Britney corrected.

“This conversation is over.” Stacy turned her back and resumed straightening the chairs, though she’d already done so. Anything not to look at Britney’s snide expression.

“You won’t be able to hide it forever. People are already starting to talk. It’s only a matter of time before Fran finds out too.”

There were so many things Stacy wanted to say, but she knew it would only hurt her case. Instead, she dug her hands into the back of a leather chair and kept her mouth shut.

Then Britney said, “Oh well. By then, he’ll realize he’d rather be with someone younger and prettier.”

Stacy squeezed her eyes shut and waited. Finally, she heard the door open and close, announcing Britney’s departure. She loosened her death grip on the chair and breathed deeply.

Her fight-or-flight response had kicked in, but it was conflicted. Part of her wanted to stalk out of the office without a word to anyone. Just walk away and distance herself from the whole tangled mess. Then she recalled Kelsey and Jenna telling her how they missed the old Stacy—the woman who was strong, confident, and brave.

That Stacy wouldn’t back down from a challenge, and she certainly wouldn’t let someone like Britney try to derail her. This wasn’t even about Nick anymore—not entirely. It was about her and what she wanted, and then the answer came to her. It flashed in her mind like a neon sign with big glowing letters: I WANT NICK.

Maybe it was Kelsey and Jenna’s pep talk, Britney’s taunts, or both. Regardless, Stacy had her answer. She wanted to be with Nick, and to hell with what anyone else thought about it!

It didn’t matter that she was almost eight years older than him. He’d chosen her, and now she was choosing him. It struck her that the only problems she and Nick had encountered were external to them and mostly based on what ifs. Their relationship itself was good, pure, and promising. When she was with him, it felt right, but she’d let her fears get in the way. Not anymore!

Like Jenna had said, what was the worst that could happen? If she lost her job, she’d find another one. She had several years’ experience as a corporate trainer and was damn good at what she did.

Of course, there was still the possibility that Nick might move back to Florida, but she wouldn’t focus on that or use it as an excuse not to be with him. If they both wanted this relationship to work, it would work, and that was all there was to it!

She left the training room with a new resolve, and it must have shown on her face. Several employees glanced at her curiously as she went down the hall, looking at her almost like they’d never seen her before. She simply smiled and waved as she passed.

When she neared Eric’s office, she peeked in and saw him and Nick peering at a computer screen.

“Have a good day, guys,” she trilled.

“You too,” Eric said.

Nick beamed at her, his smile infusing her with warmth, tenderness, and something else. Something she’d yet to name but was no longer afraid to.

It was perhaps the most powerful word in the English language—powerful enough to conquer her fears and make her hopeful about the future.

LOVE.

Twenty-Four

The further north she drove on I-75, the lighter she felt, and it didn’t hurt to have a sexy man in the passenger seat.

“Are we there yet?” he asked for the third time since they’d left his apartment.

She laughed. “Almost.”

“It’s so dark out here. How am I going to see what you want me to see?”

“Oh, you’ll see it. There’s no missing it.”

She’d come up with the idea that afternoon and immediately texted him. He’d responded to her invitation to go away for the weekend with an enthusiastic, “Hell, yeah!”

After work, they’d gone home and packed their bags, and then she’d picked him up at his apartment. That had been over three hours ago, and they’d only stopped once to grab a quick dinner.