Page 78 of Grumpy Boss in Love

“Think about it, Megs. Have you ever seen Elliot’s face on the cover of any magazines or heard about him in any blogs?” Plus, he barely used the Westwood name outside of business. “The man is an expert at flying under the radar.”

“True. I only ever hear about the senior Westwoods. News of their divorce is circulating. One blog mentioned something about old man Westwood not being able to keep it in his pants.”

I sighed. “We are not gossiping about Elliot’s parents.”

“Fine.” Her expression softened. “Do you really think he wants to end things tonight?”

“He’s been acting a little off, being extra watchful. I caught him staring at me the other night with this strange look in his eyes. When I asked him what was wrong, he got all flustered. Elliot doesn’t get flustered. He was probably trying to think about how to let me down easy.”

“I don’t think so.” Megan sat back, crossed her arms, and frowned. “Not after London. That man cares about you, Ruby. I can tell, and I haven’t even seen you two together. From everything you’ve told me, maybe you shouldn’t be so pessimistic.” She shrugged. “He could just want to have dinner tonight. Nothing more to it.”

I gazed at Megan as I considered what she said. She had a point, but she didn’t know about my fear—falling for a man only to get my heart ripped out and stepped on. However, her optimism made me feel slightly better. I smiled. “Maybe you’re right. Thanks.”

She nodded. “Now, let’s order lunch and you can give all the deets about London. Ugh, I’m so jealous, yet so happy for you.” She pouted. “I wish my love life could pick up a little pace. Can you say boring?”

I sniggered. “Sorry.”

As we ate, I shared the deets that she demanded. I gazed at Megan with appreciation. I told her my story, which I wasn’t supposed to share, and she listened, gave me advice, and then we moved on to our usual stuff. I felt like mine and Elliot’s secret was safe with her.

Megan left me in the café because she had to run back to work. I was only a block away from Westwood Collective, so I could linger a bit longer. As I chatted with my sisters via text, Henry called again. I’d been ignoring his calls for almost a week, so I found my courage and answered.

“H-hello?” I closed my eyes in disappointment because I hadn’t meant to sound so pathetic. Like a lost little girl afraid to talk to Daddy.

“Ruby? Finally. For a while there, I thought I’d gotten the wrong number.”

Phone pressed to my ear. I stared ahead. I’d lost my wit, my voice, everything… Although Cassandra found him last year, it was my first time hearing his voice in… Well, since I was born.

“Are you there?” Henry asked.

Shaking myself out of my stupor, I breathed, “Yeah.”

“How are you, Ruby? You don’t mind me calling, do you?” Henry’s gravelly voice held an uncertain edge. “I tried reaching out for your birthday. Happy belated birthday.”

When I didn’t respond, he continued. “I heard you graduated. Congratulations. I thought about flying out for your graduation, but I wasn’t sure how well I’d be received…”

Swallowing hard, the only words I could muster were, “Th-thank you.”

There was so much that I wanted to say to him. I wanted to lash out, tell him I hated him for what he did to us. Then, when I calmed down, I’d tell him that I was glad he called and that maybe we could try to build a relationship. However, I couldn’t speak.

“Is this a bad time?” Henry asked.

“Y-yes.” I mentally facepalmed myself. I’d turned into a stuttering idiot.

“Oh, well, maybe we can talk another time.”

“Maybe.” I hung up so fast, I wasn’t sure he even heard my reply.

Heart thumping, I stared at my phone. Just like that, I spiraled into despair again.

30

ELLIOT

Ruby was different tonight. She was pensive and quiet. It was so unlike her usual bubbly self. I’d hoped a romantic dinner at my place would be better than this. I went all out to set the mood. I even got a professional chef to come in and prepare our meal. There was currently a stranger in my kitchen, making dessert. That was how badly I wanted to make tonight perfect. Apart from my usual staff of two, Ruby, Ben, and Gabe were the only ones who came into my home.

Since I was horrible at small talk, I struggled to find something to say. Finally, I asked, “Ruby, are you okay? You’re quiet.”

Her smile wasn’t as bright as I was used to. “I thought your ears would appreciate a break from my chatter.”