Page 28 of Rescuing His Kitten
“Of course.” She touches my arm, guiding me away from the group so we’re more private. “Is everything all right? You seem upset.”
I open my mouth to lie, to make up some excuse about family or a new job opportunity, but her eyes hold genuine concern, and I can’t do it.
“I need to resign,” I said. “Effective immediately.”
Rachel’s eyebrows rise, but her expression softens rather than sharpens. “Resign? Bellarose, you’ve been one of our strongest performers. Is this about the retreat? Did something happen?”
I shake my head, my throat tightening. “It’s not a good fit anymore. I can’t—” I gesture vaguely at the cabins, the people, and everything else. “I need to leave.”
She studies me for a moment, then steps closer, lowering her voice. “Is someone making you uncomfortable? Because if there’s harassment, we have protocols to protect you. I don’t want to lose you over something that someone else has done.”
Her kindness almost breaks me. I feel tears prick my eyes and blink them away.
“It’s not like that,” I whisper. “I just can’t be here anymore. Can you process it, please? I don’t want to make a scene.”
Rachel’s hand settles on my shoulder to keep me steady. “How about I process it as a leave of absence first? That will give you time to think over what you want to do. Bellarose, you’re talented. Whatever’s happening, don’t let it drive you away from something you love doing and that you’re exceptional at.”
I almost laugh because I don’t love doing this job. I love creating, but I can do that anywhere.
“I need a clean break,” I say. “Please, Rachel.”
She sighs, but she’s nodding. “All right. I’ll start the paperwork. But I’m putting my number in your phone so you can call me if you need anything. References, recommendations, someone to talk to. Promise me.”
“Promise,” I manage to get out. She’s being so sweet.
She gives me a soft smile as she squeezes my arm one last time. “Also, you should speak with Mr. Hayes first.”
“Rachel—”
“Oh, she’ll be talking to me,” West says. Shit, he’s right behind me. “If you’d give us a moment, Rachel.”
“Of course,” Rachel tells him.
“Also, before you go, I’d like you to handle terminating Sheryl.”
“Consider it done,” Rachel says, then she winks at me before she steps away.
When I turn around, West is standing there with his hands in his pockets. His gaze is fixed on me like I’m the only person in the world. The distance between us feels like miles, and I can see the tension in his shoulders. He wants to move toward me, but he’s holding himself back.
But his eyes—God, his eyes—they burn with everything he whispered to me this morning.
I’m the one to look away first. I have to. I’m in love with this man, and I don’t know what happens next. It scares me in ways I don’t understand.
He crosses the distance between us, close enough that I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze.
“You’re quitting,” he says, and it’s not a question.
“How did you know?”
“I have my ways,” he says, his jaw tightening.
“It’s better like this. I don’t know what the future holds for us, but you can’t be my boss?—”
“I’m not your boss,” he says, cutting me off. “I resigned this afternoon.”
My breath catches before I’m able to recover. “What?”
“Bellarose, I told you I wanted more. I spent today in board meetings negotiating my exit. Not because of you but for you. Because I won’t have anyone whispering that you slept your way to anything. Because wanting more with you means closing this chapter of my life.”
