After Hours

Chapter 6

Noah enters my office as I'm finishing some paperwork. Things still aren't great with us but I've allowed him to try and win me over again. I put the papers in my drawer and look up when he stops beside me. Leaning down, he presses a soft kiss to my lips. When we hear the door open, we pull apart. My heart speeds up when I spot Jackson standing beside my assistant. "Sorry to interrupt, Miss Smith but your client would like to go over a few things with you."

Jackson narrows his eyes at Noah and I clear my throat. "Sure. I'll meet you outside," I tell Noah.

He leans down and kisses me once more before leaving my office. Jackson steps in and my assistant closes the door. "What's going on?" he asks.

"The plans are coming along great," I state, shuffling through some papers on my desk. "I can show you the -"

He places his hand over mine. "I don't give a fuck about the plan. You just disappeared the other morning and now you're back with that asshole."

I shake my head. "You don't understand."

"You're right, I don't. So explain it to me."

I glare at him, pulling my hand away. "As far as I am concerned, you are my boss until this project is finished. We will no longer communicate outside of the office. If you have questions or concerns, call my assistant or have John call me. If speaking in person is crucial then John will need to be present."

He sighs. "Why are you pulling away from me again? I thought when we made love the other night -"

"We had consensual sex," I say. "People hook up all the time. It was a mistake."

He shakes his head. "By forgiving him you're giving him permission to do it again. He doesn't deserve you. I love you, Emery. I always will."

Hearing those words tug at a certain string in my heart and my shoulders fall slightly. My effort to persuade him that the other night was a mistake dissipates because I know it wasn't a mistake. Standing, I take a few steps around my desk and hug him. "I love you too, Jackson. But I love him too. You have to understand that."

"I don't understand it," he states, holding me tightly.

"It's like you with Sophie. You had feelings for her still when we started dating. I have feelings for Noah and I don't know if I'm ready to let him go," I admit.

Keeping my arms around him, I pull away slightly. "And you're ready to let me go?" he asks.

I shake my head. "No. I don't want to lose you but I have to make the best decision for both of us. Noah and I have already planned our future together. Our vision doesn't involve children but yours does. I can't give you what you want and that's not fair to you. Find someone who will love you like I did but also has similar expectations for the future."

He raises his hand, cupping my cheek. "We don't have to have kids. I'd sell my company if you asked me to. I only want you. You're the only thing that matters."

He leans in, kissing me softly. My fingers slip into his hair as I deepen the kiss. Things between us are always so hectic and confusing but the way I feel when I'm with him is amazing. He makes me feel sexy - like I'm the only girl in the world. He makes me feel wanted. I pull away breathlessly and lean my forehead against his. "Give me some time and I'll let you know if I change my mind," I say.

We pull apart and he nods. "Okay."

"I have to go now," I say. "I'll see you soon."

After grabbing my things, I saunter out of the office with him following close behind. Noah is waiting beside the car outside and greets me with a kiss before opening my door. I glance at Jackson over my shoulder before getting into the car. Once he's in, he pulls out of the parking lot and speeds down the street. "Do you still love him?" he asks.

I look at him for a long moment. "Of course, but you and I have been together for way longer."

"Then why is there even a competition?" he asks.

"Because you cheated on me," I say.

"I regret it so much," he sighs. "I wish I could take it back but you cheated on me too."

I sigh. "I only did it because you did. I don't know if I'll ever get over it. Whenever you go away I'll be wondering who you're with. It isn't fair."

He pulls the car into an empty parking lot and stops. Looking at me, his eyes search mine. "Tell me... Am I fighting a losing battle with you?"

"I don't know," I whisper.

"You sleep with your back to me every night. You've started wearing t-shirts to bed. You're seeing Jackson," he says, pausing for a short moment. "I don't want to keep fighting for you if you've already made your mind up. Be honest with me and I'll let you go if that's what you want."

"I don't want to be with you anymore," I admit. "You lost my trust and my love when you cheated on me."

Looking out the windshield, he lays his head back against the seat. We sit in silence for a long moment before he clears his throat. "I'll have all of your things put in a storage unit. When you find a place I'll have it delivered," he says.

A short moment passes before he puts the car into gear and heads towards the hotel where I am still staying. I feel the tension between us the entire way but the moment I step out of the car, the world seems to lift off my shoulders. Leaning down to speak through the window, I say, "Thank you."

"For what?" he asks.

"For loving me. For taking care of me. Just know I don't hate you. We just weren't meant to be."

His lips turn up into a small smile. "I guess not. And thank you for putting up with me. I don't blame you for leaving me. I know I screwed up. Hopefully, we can still be friends so if I need an architect in the future I have a friend to go to," he winks.

I smile. "Of course. I wish you the best, Noah. You'll find a girl for you one day."

"Goodbye, Emery."

I head into the hotel with a smile on my face, finally making up my mind.

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{A/N: Early update! Let's see them comments & votes :) Thanks.}