High Society Secrets (The Sterling Wives Book 2), стр. 45
Astrid was sure of only one thing, which was that this had been a fun experiment, but she’d become collateral damage. “The thing I loved about working here was being part of the team. That’s gone now. For right now, this is the best choice for me.”
“Did you tell Clay?”
Astrid held up a note. “I’ll leave this on his desk. He can read it when he comes back.”
Tara spread her arms wide, and they embraced. “Keep me posted on everything.”
“You, too,” Astrid said. “Let me know how the presentation goes.”
They parted ways and Astrid dropped by Clay’s office one last time. She didn’t stay long or reminisce as she was apt to do. She couldn’t afford to rehash what might have been. After two days of very little sleep, she was too exhausted. She’d done all she could do, and now she had work of a different sort to do. She had to pack.
The clothes she’d brought for Johnathon’s funeral went into one of three suitcases, along with everything she’d bought since she arrived. She decided to leave the navy gown she’d worn for the Architect of the Year awards in a garment bag in the closet. That dress had wonderful memories. She hoped that one day she’d be able to look back at it fondly. Right now, it simply hurt too much.
When she was done, she pulled her final suitcase into her foyer. She took one more pass through her beloved apartment, making sure the fridge was empty and lights were turned off. She had someone to come by and water the plants. She would return. She just wasn’t quite sure when. Perhaps when the hurt subsided.
Bright light streamed in through the one window that didn’t have the shade drawn, California sun dancing on the glossy wood floor. It was hard to believe everything that had happened in the months since Johnathon had died. She’d come to San Diego thinking she was bidding farewell to her ex-husband. She’d never dreamed she was embarking on a whole new life, or that she might find love. She’d never imagined that it would all blow up in such spectacular fashion.
She’d forged a friendship with Tara and Miranda, who were the closest she’d ever come to having sisters. She’d found a new career path, one she believed she was quite good at, despite the missteps she had made. And most important, she’d had a glimpse of true love with Clay. It was still there in her heart, thumping away and reminding her of its presence, but she was resigned to the inevitability of it all. He wasn’t able to let her all the way in. She couldn’t blame him. She’d pushed his limits.
Astrid’s phone beeped with a text. It was from Tara. Presentation went well. Thank you for all you did.
I’m so glad. It was the least I could do.
Leaving soon?
Astrid fought a tear. This was one of the hardest things she’d ever done, but it was the only thing that made sense. She needed time to think. She needed distance to figure out her next step. Yes. Flight departs in a few hours.
Safe travels.
The driver she’d hired arrived at her door and took her bags downstairs to the car.
“I’d like to make one stop before we go to the airport, please,” she told him out on the street.
The driver consulted his watch. “Will we have time?”
“Yes. I won’t be long.” She gave him the address and sat back in the car, trying to remind herself that just like her decision to move to San Diego had been temporary, so could her return to Norway. She didn’t have to stay anywhere. She could move to New York. Back to Los Angeles. Or perhaps somewhere else. Wherever it was, she was done with love. There would be no matching what she’d had with Clay. Maybe there would come a day when he could forgive her, if only so she could have some closure.
The driver pulled into Miranda’s driveway and opened the door for Astrid.
“I’ll just be a few minutes,” she said, then marched up to ring the bell.
Miranda answered a minute later, looking surprised. “Astrid. What are you doing here?”
“I know you work from home on Wednesdays.” Astrid handed over an envelope. “I wanted to give you this.”
Miranda glanced at it, then looked out to the driveway, spotting the driver. “Do you want to come in?”
Astrid shook her head, not wanting to drag this out. “This will be quick. I know that you and I spoke about the Johnathon situation over the phone, but I wanted a chance to apologize in person. I never would have allowed that to happen if I’d known about your engagement. I hope you know me well enough by now to know that’s true.”
“I know. I do. I’m sorry I was so angry when we spoke about it on Monday. I was in shock.”
“And I only kept it a secret because I knew there could never be a resolution. You can’t confront Johnathon. You or I will never be able to find out why he did what he did.” Astrid’s sights fell to Miranda’s belly. “More than anything, I didn’t want to taint the image you have of the father of your child, especially when you’re still grieving.”
Miranda smiled. “I understand. I do.” She looked down at the envelope. “What’s in here?”
“I’d like to give my shares of Sterling to the baby. I don’t see any point in me being there anymore. I’ve finished my work, and Tara and Clay did the presentation this morning. They’ll find out before Christmas whether or not they landed the Seaport job.”
“Astrid, no. Have you talked to Tara about this?”
Astrid nodded. “I did. She agreed that my presence at Sterling wasn’t great for morale right now. But the real truth is that I can’t work with Clay.” It felt so funny to say that out loud, the very thing he’d