Rose took another sip, savoring the taste of cocoa. “He’s so much more than Greg. So much kinder…”
“So maybe he’ll be understanding?” Lillian suggested.
“I don’t know.” Rose sunk deeper into the couch. “He’s used to people counting on him. His parents sent him away to this expensive school just as a little kid. That wassomuch pressure, but he delivered.”
“I’m sure he’s used to liars, then,” Lucy said.
Lillian smacked her on the shoulder.
“No, she’s right,” Rose said. “I’m a liar. I wasn’t a liar before this, but I told a big lie, and I kept telling it, so I’m a liar.”
“Tell him the truth,” Lillian said. “It’s not easy, but it is simple.”
“It’s not that simple. Craig is…” Rose stuffed her mouth full of Reese’s Pieces and tried to work out what she wanted to say. “He’s like the opposite of Greg. He only thinks of other people. Not because he needs to use them – it’s nothing like that. He doesn’t use people. He seems to only depend on himself.”
Lillian grimaced. “He doesn’t let anyone in, does he.”
She shook her head. “But for some reason, he let me in.”
“All right, I see how it’s pretty bad now.” Lucy plopped down next to her. “You’re in a pickle.”
“I’m going to have to quit and move away. Start over as a new person,” Rose said.
Lucy shook her head. “That’s not going to work, because considering your history, you’ll probably be in love with Craig for the next ten years.”
Rose groaned. “Iknow.”
“There’s no way around it,” Lucy said. “Lillian’s right. You’re a big girl. Tell him. You can do it.”
“It’s not just about him. If people find out I’m a fraud, it could halt the sale of the company, crash the stock price, ruin his life…”
“Tell himafterthe sale, and after wedding, then.” Lucy laughed and took a Twizzler from Lillian, snapping it between her teeth.
There wasn’t going to be a wedding. As kind and gentle as Craig was, he wouldn’t be able to forgive her for this.
Would he?
If only she could find a way to protect the company. That way, the only thing she’d destroy was…his trust.
Rose rubbed her face with her hands. “What’re we watching? I need to get my mind off what a mess I am.”
Lucy tapped her chin. “I’ve got two cinematic masterpieces:CluelessandThe Silence of the Lambs.”
Rose hated scary movies, but she’d hate seeing someone as clueless as her fall in love even more. “Bring on Hannibal Lecter.”
Lillian shrieked. “I don’t think I can stomach it.”
“Shh,” Lucy said, picking up the remote. “You’re going to love it. Or be haunted with nightmares. I mean, I guess we’ll see.”
Rose smiled, settling into the couch and stuffing another handful of candy into her mouth.
She’d figure it out. Somehow.
Chapter Twenty-four
His visit to the human resources department started as a mission in secrecy and ended as a lesson in management.
Craig had made an appointment with Sherry, the head of HR. He felt ridiculous even talking to her about asking Rose out. There was no way to be sure Rosewantedto go on a date with him, but he didn’t want to even think about asking her unless he knew it would be okay with company policy.
