It took every ounce of courage inside of me to walk away and hit the button for the ground floor of the building. Even with Ron there, I wanted to run into Kade's arms. He meant more than all of the money or jobs or accomplishment in the world.

The sick look on his face told me that maybe he didn't feel the same. Maybe I'd made up all the long mornings of him holding me hostage in bed with his loving words and soft fingertips.

No. This wasn't about us and our love affair. It was about what was best for the company. Me taking Ron's spot would have made perfect sense if I hadn't stepped over the line with Kade, but I had, and I wasn't backing down. I needed to tell him that much, but I couldn't. My voice wasn't working, and my heart ached.

I loved my job so much. It was the new me, a new way to recover from being pimped out to every bathing suit maker and perfume creator. Never having been an extrovert, I struggled in my late teens and early twenties spending my life in the limelight. It was never the life I wanted to live.

Reinventing myself had taken grit and determination.

The people of Miles Private Jets hadn't looked at me on day one like they did now. That gleam of respect in their eyes had taken years and consistent, aggressive application of myself. I needed them to see me the way I wanted to be seen. Smart. Driven. Good for the company.

And finally, one day, it happened. No fucking way I could watch that crumble when they found out that I was pregnant with Kade's baby. It was worth it. I'd leave on a high note and find a job somewhere else. Kade would understand. He would have to.

"Skylar." Ron's voice stopped me as I reached the door to leave the building.

"Hey." I turned and offered a weak smile. "Look, I know you don't understand —"

"Let's grab lunch. You know, sharing an hour with an old man?" He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and turned me, walking us out of the building.

"Yeah, but I'm not much company right now." I sniffled and wiped at my nose with the back of my hand.

"You're always great company, kiddo." He squeezed my shoulders before releasing me. "You know, when I was your age, I would have died for the opportunity Kade is giving you, but I understand the specifics around it that upset you."

"No, you don't." I pointed to a café across the street that Ron, Geo and I would have lunch at from time to time. "Want to share a pastrami and rye?"

He shivered and offered me his forearm. "I'd love to. Come on, let's get across the street without busting our asses. I forgot my coat, and it's freezing out here."

"I like it. It's calming." I glanced up at the clear sky as snow started to fall. My heart ached in my chest, my life torn in two very different directions.

"That it is." He opened the door to the restaurant and walked in behind me. He waited until the hostess had shown us to a table near the street to speak up again. "Kade told me that you two are dating. I think that's wonderful, by the way."

I nodded. "I'm totally in love with him." I smiled. "It's funny. I think Geo would have been happy to hear that we are together. Maybe that's silly."

"Not at all. I know he loved you like family, Skylar. What he wouldn't have been happy about is you turning down this job."

"Ron." I gave him a look. "You know how quickly I would accept this job if I could."

"And you can." He picked up his menu and ordered several of our favorite dishes like somehow he knew I was feeding two people, or maybe he was just nervous.

My phone buzzed, and I checked it to see Kade calling. I ignored it and turned back to Ron. I'd talk to Kade in private later that night. I was choosing our relationship and our baby over my career. It hurt like a bitch, but I'd get over it. They were worth the sacrifice.

"There's more to the story than you think."

"So tell me then. You know I'm on your side. I can help you think through anything." He reached across the table and squeezed my hand softly as his bright blue eyes filled with concern. "This is the chance you've been waiting for. It's what Geo planned for you the first week you were in the office with us. You swept us off our feet, and every day since, you've been a blessing to the company and us. You know this."

I nodded and tried to hold back tears. Fucking hormones. "This is bigger than that."

"Tell me."

"You know I can't stand the thought of everyone looking at me like I got the job because Kade and I are dating."

"I know that, and no one will." He leaned back and sighed. "And look, I'm never a negative ninny, but what if things don't work out with you and Kade? Then you've given up a dream of yours for nothing. What if this awesome love affair is short-term? I'm not saying it is, but what if —"

"I'm pregnant," I blurted out. "There. I told someone. I'm fucking pregnant. If it's a short-term love affair, then I have bigger problems than passing up a great promotion."

His eyes widened, but only for a moment. The softness in his voice spoke volumes to his character.

"Oh, kiddo. That is great." He sniffled and shook his head. "Kade is going to be such a great father, and you... you're going to be a wonderful mother. No wonder he kept going on and on about wanting you up at the office with him all the time. You're carrying his little one."

"He doesn't know." I reached back and pulled my hair into a knot. "I was going to tell him today, but he offered me your job, and I didn't know what to do. Quitting is the best way to ensure that our relationship stays intact. That's more important than anything else right now."

"Why would your taking this job jeopardize your relationship?"

"What you, Kade and I know is your role as COO is already stressful. Add in my emotional trauma when people look at me like grubby money hungry slut that's pregnant with the CEO's child. Out of wedlock." I pressed my hands against my face. "Kill me now."

"Stop that. No one is going to say anything like that. Look, talk to him. Let him know what's going on. You guys will figure this out, but as someone who cares about you like family, kiddo, don't pass this up. Love and success can thrive under the same roof. You just have to be willing to make it happen."

I took in his words and shot up a prayer. I hoped like hell he was right.

My job was such a big part of me, but I'd lay it all down for Kade and our little one. Some part of me worried that he wouldn't see it that way.

Only one way to find out. I had to talk to him.