The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO)

“Maybe you should call him then … He owes you an explanation, Emma … You can’t just keep second guessing him all the time.” She picks up my phone and lays it on my chest, but I don’t move. The last thing I want to do is call him. He’ll be driving back to Manhattan anyway, back to his apartment, miles away from me. He wouldn’t pick up.

“Can we drop this?” I sit up so the phone slides down my body and lands on the bed. She sighs and flops back beside me, flat so her head is nestled in my cushions. Thinking for a moment, she sits up and takes my hand.

“You know what the biggest problem with you two is?” Sarah blinks at me but I just glare at her and offer no response.

“You don’t communicate with one another when it comes to feelings. You’re as bad as each other. Neither of you seem capable of just coming out with it and putting your heart on the line. I don’t think he’s as immune to you as you believe. I think he’s scared, and so are you, and if this continues then neither of you will get anywhere.” Sarah crosses her arms triumphantly and sits back.

“You finished?” I slide my legs out from under me to make myself a little more comfortable. “I know you think you have this figured out, but remember, I know him. I know what he is. Jake likes uncomplicated and he knows we’re exactly the opposite of that.” I raise my hand as Sarah goes to say more. I don’t want to listen to it. Every time I talk or hear a single word about Jake it just makes me more depressed and anxious. I don’t want to analyze it anymore. I just want to drop it. She narrows her brows at me then changes tact, her face turning coy. I can almost see her drop the subject mentally. She wavers for a moment, then something else sparks in her face.

“Your mom called me.” Her tone is gentle, but I still stiffen as though she’s slapped me hard.

She really chooses the most epic of topics!

“Did she now?” I bite back emotion through gritted teeth. I certainly don’t need this line of conversation either.

“She asked if you’d calmed down yet … Told me you’d launched a bowl of food at her head … I did wonder where half the crockery had gone.” She pushes some of my loose hair behind my ear, watching me closely. My face betrays the fact that I don’t want to talk about it. “Anything you want to let out?” She smiles at me encouragingly, but I shake my head and pull myself free to retrieve the mugs. I hand her one and avoid eye contact.

I know it’s true. My mother and I have reached an impasse, a road in our lives where too much has gone on to ever be set right. She chose her bed many times and now she must lie in it. I’m done being dragged back, time and time again, to a place that causes me pain. If Jake taught me anything it was that I deserve more from her. I didn’t deserve the men she dragged into my life. He showed me that what those men repeatedly did wasn’t my fault. It was

in gentle comforting affection. I close my eyes swallowing the tears down, empty and defeated with all of

just really tired, Sarah … It’s been one hell of a couple of days. I think I just need some sleep.” I turn and give her a weak smile. Relieved when she takes the hint and gets up to leave me be; she knows there’s still a huge part of old Emma in me,

shut eye … Marcus is working late so I won’t be going to bed until he’s home … If you want me, I’ll be in the lounge with my old friend Netflix.” She grins back at me, blowing a kiss, shutting my door behind her. Leaving me alone with

from Jake. I curl up on my bed into

* * *

around me. Torturing me over and over. My mother crept in there

me an envelope as soon as she arrives, sliding it onto my desk with a smile that makes me stop what I’m

desk, looking almost smug. I rip open the envelope

named guest list, only you can use this. Jake insisted I send it to you. I hope you do go

it, in gold foil. It’s the Marie Curie charity ball in Manhattan tomorrow night. I was the one to get Jake these tickets for his entire staff on the sixty-fifth, a goodwill gesture from Jake, as each ticket raised funds for the event. I groan inwardly knowing if I don’t go then Jake’s wasted hundreds of dollars on my ticket, but

soon? If I do, then who do I take with me? How can I face

time when he seemed to be going off

I kidding?