Free Hold On by Hilary Wynne Page B

are together as far as I know. I didn’t know we were hiding it and I’m actually
     offended you would even think twice about going together. It’s a huge party, we throw
     them too, and a lot of my business associates will be there. It’s my world too. I
     got the invite today as well and I was excited at the thought of going together. As
     usual, we aren’t on the same page.”
    Shit, he has this all wrong. “Julian, this isn’t about how I feel about going with
     you. It’s about how you feel. You keep things separate. It’s like work is on one side
     and I’m on the other. I didn’t want you to have to answer questions about who I am.”
     Once I start all my insecurities come out in a rush. “It’ll be the topic of conversation.
     Everyone will want to know who you’re with and why you’re with me. Julian the serial
     bachelor, he doesn’t do relationships¾blah, blah, blah. I wonder how long he’s been
     fucking her¾blah, blah, blah.” I can’t stop rambling. “And if you introduced me as
     your friend or just as a date, it would hurt my feelings and then I’d say or do something
     stupid and ruin the whole night. And I can’t ruin the night because it’s my job to
     be in a good mood.” I exhale at the end of the last word. Phew.
    I hear Julian chuckle. “Are you done, mi amor?”
    “I guess.”
    “I don’t know whether to laugh or get mad at you.”
    “Can I choose? Because I choose laugh. Always laugh.”
    That makes him laugh. “Lexie, you’re my girlfriend and I have no problem telling the
     world that. Actually, I think it’s time the world knows you’re mine. I’d never say
     you were just my date or just my friend. And as far as anyone talking about you and
     fucking in the same breath, that’s not happening. Nobody gets to have that visual
     but me. So, if we’re back on the same page, we can move on to the real reason I called.”
    His answer melts my heart a little. I love that Julian is a little possessive and
     a little macho when it comes to me. It’s usually very subtle and I’m not sure everyone
     sees it, but I do, and I love that he wants the world to know I’m his.
    “We’re clear. No need to discuss it anymore. What’s the other reason you called?”
    “I wanted to make sure you were in the office because I wanted to come and drop the
     keys to my Jeep off. It looks like we’re leaving for Naples today. We’re actually
     going to fly up; the other investors want to do dinner tonight. I agreed because it
     means I’ll be back Friday instead of Saturday. We can spend the weekend together.”
    That’s good news and bad news. I didn’t let on earlier but I don’t like the idea of
     Julian going away. I can’t help but think about last time he went on a business trip
     and didn’t call me for five days. This is a much shorter trip and I think we’re in
     a better place, but I like him close by. I really don’t want to take his Jeep either
     but I know if I make a big deal he’ll get upset. So, I put on my big girl panties
     and say the right things. “I’m here so you can drop them off or I can get them from
     the front desk if that’s easier.”
    “I’d rather drop them off. That way I can kiss you goodbye.”
    “That sounds good to me. I’ll see you when you get here.”
    Not fifteen minutes later, Julian is walking into my little office. “I sure hope they
     give you a better place to work in the building. If you were working for us, I’d never
     stick you in this little corner.” My mind flashes back to the first night we were
     together when he made the “nobody puts baby in the corner” comment to me. I can’t
     help but smile.
    He walks around my desk and kisses me on the cheek. I know he knows this is temporary
     but he never misses an opportunity to comment on the fact I work for the competition.
    “We don’t all get the corner office with a view. Some of us aren’t as important as
     others.” I’m totally kidding, but Julian