Page 167 of Their Famous Dominant (Office Intrigue Duet 4)
Clarissa peered over at Case, who grinned back at her. “Only child. All my issues are my own.”
That had everyone laughing.
“And your parents?” Clarissa asked Brax. “Are they in Texas?”
“They are, but they’re not from there. I was born and raised in North Carolina. We moved to Texas when I was twelve.”
“What’s this about?” Case asked, clearly confused as to why she was interrogating them.
Clarissa shrugged. “I’ve been offered this ridiculously amazing job opportunity, but my family and friends are in Texas. It’s kinda hard to think about not seeing them all the time.”
“Do you see them every day now?” Case asked.
“No. I see my mom the most. Probably once a month. But I hang out with my friends quite a bit.”
Case frowned. “So, I’m confused. Can you not see them if you live here?”
Her eyes slid my direction and I noticed a question there, but I wasn’t sure what it was.
She sighed, then leaned against me once more. “I can. They’ve even offered me use of the company jet if I need it.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Case asked.
Her eyes slid to me again. “What happens with us if I move here?”
Ah. So, that was where this was going.
I shot a look to Case and Brax.
“Shit. Would you look at the time?” Case said. “I just remembered I’ve got that thing.” He nudged Brax. “You know, that thing at that place with … that person.”
Brax smirked as he got to his feet. “We’ll see you tonight?”
“We’ll be there,” I assured him.
Case moved toward Clarissa, surprising me when he knelt down in front of her. “There’s only one thing important when making a decision like this.”
“What’s that?” She sounded as though whatever he said would make her final decision for her.
“You follow your heart. Wherever it takes you is where you’re meant to be in that moment.”
She smiled sweetly. “I like your way of thinking.”
He tapped his temple. “Simple mind.”
Yeah. That man was anything but simple.
“Later, y’all,” Case said, laying his drawl on thick. “Come on, B. Let’s go find some trouble to get into.”
Brax followed him out the door. “Why do I get nervous when you say shit like that?”
Troy laughed as the door closed behind them.
“All right, sunshine,” I twisted to face Clarissa. “What’s on your mind?”
She surprised me when she reached out and took my hand, her other hand linking with Troy’s.
“I want to take this job,” she said softly. “And I would’ve already told them that, but I wanted to talk to both of you first.”
“About?”
She shrugged. No words followed.
“Talk,” I demanded.
Clarissa sighed as she sunk deeper into the cushions. “If I take this job, I’m worried it’ll take me away from both of you. Since it’s too early in this relationship to make plans based on … us … I’m not sure what to do.”
“Who says it’s too early?” Troy asked, his gaze bouncing between Clarissa and me.
“Isn’t it?” Clarissa sounded less certain as she turned her head back and forth.
I shrugged casually. “I don’t think it’s too early. Do you, boy?”
“I don’t think it’s too early,” he agreed.
Clarissa chuckled. “Okay, fine. You’ve proven your point. So, let me get this out there then.” Once again, she was trying to look at both of us at the same time. “If I’m here … where will you be?”
“That’s easy.” Troy chuckled.
“Wherever you are,” we both said at the exact same time.
Troy
CLARISSA’S LAUGH HAD MY CHEST constricting. It wasn’t an amused sound. More like a whimper combined with a cough. She was trying to cover it up, but she was clearly stressed about a decision of this magnitude. I couldn’t necessarily blame her.
Feeling the need to reassure her, I released her hand before reaching out to touch her face.
“It really is simple,” I told her. “I go where you go, baby. That’s the only way this’ll work.”
“But how’s that possible?” she asked. She leaned back and divided her attention between us. “When you make another movie, you’ll be on set. That could take you anywhere,” she told Trent. “And you’ll be going with him. Maybe I don’t know how all the movie magic happens, but I know it’s not overnight. I couldn’t imagine being here all alone.” Her eyes shimmered with tears. “I want it to be simple, but I know it’s not.”
Leaning in, I pressed my lips to hers. “Then don’t overthink this.”
“I’m trying not to.”
While she said the words, I didn’t believe her. There was something else on her mind and I think Master realized it, too, because he stood, then came to kneel in front of her, forcing her to look at him.
“If and when I make another movie, I have plenty of room to negotiate. Yes, I’ll have to be gone for a few days at a time, but we can figure it out. Maybe you go with us. Maybe I hire another assistant so Troy can stay here with you. I’ll have more than enough for him to do with the talent agency. We’ve got options.” He cocked his head slightly. “What else are you worried about?”
