Aria’s POV For days, I had agonized over this choice. I had pushed it off for as long as I could, finding every possible excuse not to face this imperfect decision. There were so many reasons to choose either side. I liked it here as things were, but it would be a disservice to me and the good o
Anything to keep the growing doubts from rising up in my mind. I made the right choice, I told myself, again and again. Any choice would have had doubts attached. But this one has new opportunities and room for advancement. I survived a few hours before a company-wide congratulatory email went o
Liam’s POV It was the wrong thing to ask. I knew that the instant the words left my mouth. No, before that, when I was walking down the hallway to Aria’s office, repeating to myself, Congratulate her. Be happy and proud of her. Your own feelings can wait. Lot of good that pep talk did. Fifteen s
“What if you go and he’s not happy there?” I asked. “But what if he is?” Aria countered. “What if this is the change we both need? What if it brings us both nothing but happiness?” That simply can’t be, because you wouldn’t be with me. I didn’t say it, even though it sat on the edge of my tong
Aria’s POV “Joe…” Isabella’s use of all capital letters in her text had me concerned, but Joe, as always, was my first priority. After dropping a bombshell on him like this, I wasn’t about to leave while he was still processing. He swiveled back to me, his big eyes damp, and my entire chest ca
Ignore, ignore, ignore. Then, finally, a number and name I recognized. Isabella. Answering this call, I brought it to my ear. “If this is a joke, I need you to tell me right now. I’m starting to freak out.” “If it’s a joke, I’m sure as hell not in on it,” Isabella replied. “But I don’t think
Liam’s POV Aria accepted the phone and brought it to her ear. “Yes? Oh, yes. Hello.” Standing nearby, I crossed his arms. I couldn’t hear what the executive was saying, only Aria’s responses. Still, I could guess what was happening here, just from how pissed that executive sounded on the phone.
With a nod, she walked out of the room, leaving her personal effects behind. She didn’t say that she believed I could save her and her job, but by leaving behind her pictures and awards, the same message was still conveyed. My determination swelled. Whoever was responsible for Aria’s trouble w
Liam’s POV I didn’t care how much work was left that day, when five o’clock rolled around, I packed up my briefcase and headed for the door. My assistant, at her desk, gave me a curious look, but didn’t utter a word. “Don’t stay too late,” I told her. Work was very important, but so was life
Aria’s POV When I walked to Joanna’s office, her assistant sat behind the reception desk, glaring at me. I could only imagine the lies Joanna had told this assistant about me, to get her to hate me this much without even knowing me. Regardless, I held my head up high. If I had to walk through th
Liam’s POV “I’ve been expecting your call,” my father – Markus – said on the other end of the phone. “You are a stubborn one to have kept me waiting for so long.” “I foolishly thought that you decided to mind your own business,” I replied. “You haven’t tried anything like this in a while.” In
Liam’s POV In a flash, I grabbed Joanna’s wrist and pulled her hand away from my chest. “Don’t presume to touch me.” Joanna’s flirty smile slipped right off of her face. “I don’t care how long we’ve known each other, Joanna. Aria is the one that I love. You will not change that. And if I conti
Aria’s POV Finally Liam stilled. Slowly, he turned around to look at me, then studied my face as if he was trying to determine if I was being serious or not. Once he realized I was, his face twisted into disbelief. “Don’t be ridiculous, Aria.” “That’s what the rumors are all saying.” “You kn
Aria’s POV My co-workers could have been sharing more gossip, but it seemed more likely, judging by the words they said behind my back, that Joanna had been talking about me with everyone. For that to be true, she wasn’t just on some professional vendetta against me based on my work and work eth
Aria’s POV “This is a closet,” I said, looking at the cramped space. I wasn’t sure how they even managed to fit this desk in here. Did they have to disassemble it in the hallway and then reassemble it here? “I’m sure I could find you a smaller, even more cramped space if you would prefer it?” Jo
“Oh,” the man said. Understanding crossed his face, but so too did annoyance. “Surely you were told you were being demoted. You didn’t think you’d keep your office, did you?” “I didn’t know what to think,” I admitted. “No one really gave me any information.” “Well, this room is mine now,” the ma
Aria’s POV After the meeting, I stumbled back to my office in something of a blur. I couldn’t believe what had happened, or what this meant for me and for the drivers. How could this happen? How could everything go so wrong, so quickly? What in the world was I supposed to do now? Sitting beh