That hurts.
I slump back down onto the couch, curling my legs underneath me. “If you think that lowly of me, just leave.”
Charles stops his pacing, turning to look at me. “What do you expect from me? I’ve told you that this company is my life, and what you did could’ve directly impacted us. If we lost Diosa, it would set us back years. Do you understand that?”
“Of course, I do,” I snap. “Why do you think I worked so damn hard to find a replacement? I take ownership of my part in losing Summer, but if you haven’t noticed, we’re better for it.”
He scoffs. “You don’t know that. Summer could’ve made the whole campaign take off.”
“And Holly won’t? She’s just as big as Summer and without the damn diva status.”
Some of the fight appears to bleed out of Charles.
“We shouldn’t have had to scramble to get talent. We had Summer, and now Bauer does.”
“You’re right, and that’s on me, but don’t stand here accusing me of trying to sink Cavendish. I’ve worked too damn hard on this account for you to spew that bullshit.”
His hands run down his face. “You’re right. You have.”
I let out the breath I was holding, not saying a word and allowing him to work out his thoughts.
“I believe that you didn’t intend to tell Asher, but you do see how your relationship with him poses a real concern for me?”
I nod. “It won’t happen again. Ever,” I promise.
He grunts, and my desire to argue with him rises again. I understand his anger, but the way he reacted was more than I would’ve expected after what we’ve shared so far.
He takes a seat next to me on a harrumph, and I turn toward him.
“You hurt me, Charles. The fact you truly believed I was capable of sabotaging this account cuts deep.”
His eyes bore into mine for several tense seconds as he sucks on his teeth, seeming to think on my words.
“I have trust issues,” he finally offers, turning his head from me.
My eyes narrow in on the side of his head as I wait for him to elaborate.
“People I cared for hurt me deeply. They trampled over my trust and threw our relationship to the wolves without a second thought during one of the most difficult times of my life.”
“Do you want to tell me about it?” I ask hesitantly.
“Not tonight, if that’s all right with you.”
I purse my lips but nod.
“I’m sorry, Raven. The man showing up caught me off guard, and then your admission to the Summer fiasco brought back hurt that I’ve worked years to stuff down.”
“I’m sorry, too,” I offer, placing my hand on his leg. “For all of it.”
He offers me a small smile. “I want to try to enjoy this stolen moment with you. Is there still a chance for that?”
A grin spreads over my face. “I’d like that.”
He pulls me against his chest, placing a kiss on top of my head.
“Don’t hurt me, Raven.”
His voice is small and vulnerable, and it catches me off guard. Who hurt him, and what exactly did they do?