He Always Said Yes, But Never Heard Me Until I Left Chapter 02

The next day, I brought my transition paperwork to the office.

An assistant stopped me outside Reid’s office and said Mr. Callahan was in a very important meeting and couldn’t see anyone.

I asked how much longer it would take.

The assistant shook their head apologetically. Mr. Callahan had specifically instructed them not to interrupt him.

But through the door, which hadn’t been fully closed, I heard Paige draw out her words.

“But now I’m craving barbecue.”

Reid answered without missing a beat.

“Didn’t you say your stomach was bothering you last night? We can get barbecue another time.”

“What about sushi?”

“You always order raw fish, and that’s not a good idea today, either. Let’s get some soup. The bakery next door has those biscuits you love.”

Paige still couldn’t make up her mind.

Instead of getting impatient, Reid kept going through her options with her, one by one.

I pushed open the door.

“So this is the important meeting? Figuring out what Paige wants for lunch?”

The smile faded from Reid’s face.

“Why didn’t you knock?”

I looked at him without answering.

Paige got up from the couch, smiling as though she were trying to smooth things over.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. Mr. Callahan just finished working. I was only asking him a couple of questions.”

She came over and glanced at the documents in my hand.

“And you really shouldn’t keep thinking he doesn’t listen to you. When someone keeps saying the same things over and over, it gets pretty tiresome to hear.”

Reid didn’t interrupt her.

She got even more chummy.

“Besides, everyone needs some time to themselves. If you’re always clinging to him, of course he’s going to want some space.”

“I’m here to hand over my work. Does that count as being clingy too, Ms. Bennett?”

Her smile faltered for a moment before she recovered.

“I’m just trying to help you two.”

She turned to Reid.

“From now on, if she needs anything, work-related or personal, she can send it to me first. I’ll sort through everything and bring you whatever’s important. Anything that can wait, I’ll set aside.”

Reid nodded.

“Sure. You handle it.”

He agreed without a second thought.

He didn’t even ask whether I wanted another woman deciding which of my words were worth passing on to him.

Paige picked up her bag and urged him to get going. There was always a line at the soup place at lunchtime.

Reid got to his feet. It wasn’t until he reached the door that he seemed to remember I was there.

“Oh, right. What did you come in for today?”

Today was my last day at the company.

Just last week, Reid himself had told me to bring in the transition paperwork. He’d promised to sign it and take me to lunch afterward.

It had been five years since we’d started the company together. Surely that was worth celebrating.

I opened my mouth to remind him.

But Paige was already opening the door.

“Let’s go. The driver’s here.”

Reid glanced at the time.

“If you need anything, talk to Paige first. I’ll deal with it when I get back.”

He walked right past me without taking the documents from my hand.

I stood there, still holding the paperwork.

He couldn’t make time for me today. I wasn’t going to give him any more of mine.