My Boss's Proposal

Chapter 13: Are we okay?

Claire's Pov

Eleanor let me spend the night, and I couldn't even sleep. My mom called and told me she and Dad were going to a golfing tournament down in North Brooke, but they'd be back by lunch. I told her I spent the night with Eleanor and she was happy we were spending some time together again. I was surprised Aunt April hadn't told her anything, she seemed so calm when she called me so she must not know.

I glance down at my phone, scrolling through the texts I had gotten.

Harry: Claire, I don't know where the hell you are but April and I are looking for you, please respond.

Harry: April is looking for you on her own now, please, answer your phone.

I called Aunt April last night and told her I was fine. She scolded me, telling me I couldn't just disapear like I did, though I am twenty three for god's sakes. She said that she was spending the night at her boyfriend's since, while looking for me, she ended up closer to his house than my parent's.

"Remember how hard it was for you to tell James that you had a thing for him in fourth grade?" Eleanor asks me, keeping her eyes on the road after she saw me staring at my phone. I must have been making a face.

"Yeah," I nod.

"Imagine how hard it is for someone to tell someone they love them," She glances at me for a moment, "It's not easy to do that Claire." I groan, crossing my arms. She doesn't understand, she hasn't seen him like I have. She hasn't heard him lie, he always tells such sweet lies.

"I don't even know if he was thinking clearly, Im just his ticket to stay here, if he left I'd even get the job I've always wanted," I mumble. "He probably just said that so I feel bad and don't steal his job." Eleanor sighs.

"But you like him too."

"I don't know if there is need for a 'too'. I don't know if he meant that." I rub my head, staring out the window. Does he really mean that? He couldn't, it's too predictable. It's too against his whole 'I'm a lone wolf' bit. We roll up onto the driveway and I turn to Eleanor. "Thank's for the ride back, I'll call you tomorrow," I smile. She nods and eyes me warily, giving me a sympathetic look as I get out and walk up the steps. I sigh, putting the key in the lock and turning it, slowly walking inside, waving back at Eleanor as she drives off. The house was quiet, and it made me un easy. The calls had stopped about an hour ago, and I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign. I set my bag on the couch, the breath being pulled from my lungs when someone abruptly grabs my shoulders and spins me around.

"Where the hell have you been?!" Harry yells at me, making me wince. "I've been so fucking worried, what makes you think you could just run out of here and go missing for the night and leave me like this?" He glares at me, and eyes me up and down.

I swallow, my eyes wide at his volume and tone. "Harry, ple-"

"No! Don't try to make an excuse about this! I get you're pissed but you can't just fucking walk out when it's late like this, you could have gotten hurt, do you know how anxious I was? Do you even.." He runs his hands through his hair, squeezing his eyes shut. He tugs me by the material of my jacket, holding me close to his chest. "Don't do that, again, ever."

My eyes soften. Worried, he was worried about me. He has never remotely shown any care for anything other than his job, he never acted like he cared about anything else but my heart swells. He didn't want me to get hurt, he cares about me. I smile, despite the fact he seemed so intent on not letting go of me.

His arms are warm, oh so warm around me and I let my eyes squeeze shut. "Sorry," I croak. He sighs, resting his head on top of mine. "I.. I need to tell you something-" He tenses. I will myself to try and say the words back but he interrupts me.