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"Wait Just a round "Shit I’ht now But whatever you want to tell ency? Can I meet you later? I’ll try my hardest to be done by six"

"You’re at work on a Sunday?"

There was anotheron over here right now"

I breathed deeply, reaffirmed in my decision that ere both too busy to make this work "I’ll drop by your office at six thirty then"

Meeting him at his office as opposed to his place or my place would make it easier to leave after the discussion It would’ve been easier just to tell him over the phone but I supposed it was htened "Can’t wait to see you then"

"Bye Vincent"

When evening rolled around, I gingerly stepped out my front door in jeans and a t-shirt It’d been nearly two days since I left the apartment I made sure to pack my taser in my purse before I went over to Vincent’s office in case I ran into anythe way

As expected, the commute doas less crowded than usual since h-powered CEOs were one of the exceptions I made it to the Red Fusion offices to find a few people crunching on their laptops I was about to ring Vincent when an elass door I thanked him and he pro the way to Vincent’s office, I walked down the hall and stopped in front of his door This wasn’t going to be an easy discussion, but it had to be done

I took a deep breath then went inside

Vincent was at his desk, brows furrowed and typing furiously He was in his usual elegant New York attire: white shirt with red-striped tie and black pants When he sawand s his smile I kept one hand in lided around the desk and hugged s turn to jelly momentarily As always, he smelled wonderful The spicy scent tickled my nostrils as well as other parts of my body He kissed lad you’re here I thought you’d call so I could let you in"

"I was going to when one of your employees let me inside," I said as he led me by the hand to his leather couch in the corner I was re to e-Howser as his wealthsex with hi ti as recent events

"I got you these" He reached for the coffee table and handed me a bouquet of red roses There was a card attached with a sh, like it was draith crayons by a child

"Did you draw this picture?" I asked

"Yeah, you like it?" He sounded proud of his work

I had to stifle a laugh A smile broke out on my face despite myself "Let’s just hope the inside makes up for it"

The card read:

Kristen, I’m sorry I messed up I lied to you and didn’t respect your choices Give me a chance to make it up to you

Yours, Vincent

"This is really sweet, Vincent" I took a whiff of the roses and savored the fresh fragrance The gesture touched lad you like it" He s my insides mushy "So what did you want to tell me earlier today? It sounded important"

I carefully put the itee to tell hi "I want to take a break"

His smile faded and his dark eyes studied me "What kind of break?"

"A break from us"

"Temporary or permanent?"

"Temporary For now at least My life is too crazy at the moment and I’ood for both of us"

His gaze narrowed "The only time I’m not stressed is when I’m with you"

I looked at him skeptically "What about your work? You’ve seemed pretty worried about it the last feeeks"

"Work is work I canabout you It helps to have soht you said I was a distraction?"

"That hen o Noork is the distraction"

"And I’m your main concern now? Is it because of Marty?"

"It’s because the way I feel about you You’re more than a concern You’re a part of my life"

"You’ve been so busy lately I’ve hardly seen you I don’t feel like I’ve been that big of a part of your life"

I expected hi response but instead, he bent down and casually slipped off each of his black loafers, leaving him in his black socks He set his shoes nearoff ed to slip off one when I pulledus to have sex on your couch I know you’re all for ‘finishing e started’ but roses and a cute card aren’t going to cut it"