Chapter 10: Dealing with the Pain of Rejection

Heather's POV

"Lucy… he looked horrified when he ended the kiss. Like he had made the biggest mistake of his life and he was disgusted with himself."

Heather lay sprawled out on the couch, curled under the comforter she dragged from her bed. She barely slept the night before and her eyes are puffy and red from the tears she refuses to admit she shed. Lucy woke up this morning to find Heather in such a pathetic position and is now hearing all about what happened with Casey.

"Heather, maybe you are reading too much into it. You said he mentioned that it was because he was your boss. He is probably just upset with himself for crossing that line with an employee."

Heather knows that Lucy is probably right about Casey. He is her boss and a relationship between the two of them would be inappropriate. Heather knows this, but right now all she can feel is the hurt from Casey pulling away. Rejecting her.

"I'm not looking to be reasonable right now, Lucy. I am hurt that Casey tells me he has never felt so connected to another person and kisses me before pulling away and saying it was a mistake.Just let me be hurt right now. I can be a mature and responsible adult about all of this on Monday, but right now I just want to be sad and hurt," Heather whines.

"Alright. Casey is a jacka** and we hate him. Is that better?" Lucy says to comfort her friend.

"Yes, thank you." Heather needs to be angry at Casey right now because she cannot fall apart over him.

She understands that it is inappropriate for them to be together because he is her boss, but her heart does not seem to understand.

"When are we going to be rational about this though, Heather? Because you need to figure out how to maintain your access in order to keep investigating Liam. Also, aren't you still working with Casey to find who is stealing from the company?" Lucy reminds Heather of how much more is at stake in this situation than Heather's feelings.

She is trying to get justice for her mother. Put the man responsible for her death behind bars. Some guy, no matter how amazing he is, is not going to keep her from doing that.

"I will not stop doing my work. I have the account information and should be able to get the name tied to the account on Monday. I will still have access because Casey wants me to do a complete audit of the company, but I won't be working closely with him anymore. We will be working together but I will not have to be around him all the time. Is that enough rational thought for you?" Heather resolutely replies.

"It is. How about we spend the rest of the day eating junk food and watching whatever you want," Lucy offers Heather.

"Even Friends?" Heather asks, a small smile gracing her face.

"Especially, Friends."

"Thanks, Lucy. I am lucky to have you."

"We are both lucky. And don't count out Casey completely, Heather. If you feel this strongly about him you should try to keep him in your life," Lucy reminds her friend, wanting her to find happiness.

"I will think about it."

Heather makes room for Lucy on the couch and she soaks in the comfort of her best friend. She pushes all thoughts of Casey, work, and her investigation out of her mind. The rest of the world can wait. This weekend she is spending time with her best friend.

***

Monday morning comes all too quickly for Heather. She keeps pushing all thoughts of Casey out of her mind. Today is about focusing on her work and finding the thief.

She gets into the office early and is the first at her desk. She knows she is doing it because she is desperate to avoid Casey, but It is easy to slip into work mode and let everything else fall away.

Heather has always been a morning person. There is something peaceful about working in the quiet, before anyone else is around. The day is full of potential and there has not been a chance for anything to be ruined yet. Heather focuses on that potential as she gets to work.

Numbers are a safe haven for Heather. Numbers are reliable and do not lie. She does not have to question herself when she is doing math. The work is tedious, but familiar. Heather is confident in herself and her abilities.

Two hours later she uncovered the name of the culprit. Heather sat in shock. Honestly, she had never spent much energy trying to guess who was stealing from the company, but she never would have guessed him.

She knows she needs to tell Casey, but part of her is afraid to see him. She doesn't know how to act around him or how he will act around her. How is she going to ignore the connection between them now that she knows what it is like to be wrapped in his arms? How can she look at his face without thinking about his lips on hers?

Heather decides to ignore her own feelings and calls up to Casey's office. His assistant says he is available and Heather should come right up.

***

Heather is starting to hate this elevator. The time it takes to journey up to the 43rd floor gives her too much time to worry about what is going to happen next.

Heather does not know how Casey will act toward her. She knows he will be professional but she is afraid that he will be cold and detached towards her. She has gotten used to the warmer side of Casey and does not want to lose the closeness that has formed between them.

The elevator doors open and Casey is waiting for Heather. He guides Heather into his office, closes the door, and immediately starts to speak.

"Heather, I'm glad you are here. I was hoping we could talk about us and what happened on Friday."

"I do want to talk, but that is going to have to wait." She said nervously.

"Why?"

"Casey, I know who is stealing from the company."