The Start of Time

Chapter 39

"This is our sign that we shouldn't be together. I wasn't prepared for something like this. I've tried this before, and I was miserable. I can't do it again."

Okay, let's hit the rewind button.

I'm just as confused as anyone how we went from saying sweet nothings like "it's all because of you" and "goodnight, princess" to fighting all the time.

Not that we're really even fighting because that would involve him actually listening to what I say.

Good news is that this has been an amazing week. It almost felt like the honeymoon stage as we started officially planning for New York, and we haven't fought all week.

Bad news is that it's our first legitimate argument as a real couple, and it's a fairly serious one.

"You know the reason behind planning this trip was because I was meeting with a client." He spits excitedly the moment I enter the door.

"Yeah, I do recall that conversation." I say hesitantly.

"Well, if all goes well, they're going to make me partner, and I'll have a third of the company."

"Are you serious? I'm so proud of you!"

He picks me up, happily spinning me around the room. "I know! I can't believe this is happening."

"You'll be schmoozing with the old rich guys every other week now." I tease.

"And I'll get to make them all jealous with you by my side."

"Woah, woah, woah. Let's not get ahead of ourselves. You just focus on making sure this meeting goes perfectly."

The smile on my face fades as I finally fathom what he just said.

I never really thought about his career being the rich, socializing type of career like Jordan's. I always knew that Declan came from money and makes a lot of his own money, but I didn't care. I was too stubborn to let it affect me much until now.

Until I realized that one wrong sentence can piss the wrong person off and screw his chances with a client. One moment of silence for too long can paint me as a bitch and leave Declan picking up the pieces for my accidental wrongdoings.

I can't handle that sort of pressure. I chose a hidden hero career for that exact reason!

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"I'm thinking I should leave all the fancy galas and dinner schmoozing to you. Someone like Stella would do a much better job than me."

"Not that I don't love Stella and all, but I think I'd much rather have you on my arm than her."

"Don't you think it would be better for you to keep me your dirty little secret from all your clients, though?"

It was supposed to be a joke to put out the fire, but it only fanned the flames.

"First, you insist on keeping us a secret from everyone, and then you have a conniption when I posted one picture on Instagram. Okay, so you're afraid of what people will say and you're just not into social media. Opposites attract, so it's fine. Then, you barely let me kiss you or touch you in public. I thought that was the whole reason we made this real, but maybe you're just not into PDA. Now, I finally get the chance to make the biggest career move of a lifetime, and the best part of my life doesn't want to share that with me. I'm tired of making excuses for you."

"You picked the stupidest picture we have together and posted it without asking me, and heaven forbid, I stop you from sticking your tongue down my throat and grabbing my ass in front of someone's grandma at target. And that's never stopped you before because I don't know how to tell you no."