Every morning, Chryssa Baros glanced out her office window from the east ramp of the Fairbanks International Airport, and as every other morning, Travis Forrester came to work and surveyed his fleet of airplanes before stepping inside. He never noticed her watching him. He never noticed anything about her. She was just an employee. But today, the routineness of her work days would end when she turned in her resignation.

His six-foot two-inch frame couldn’t be missed. She specialized in watercolors, but if she ever painted him in oils she’d mix the raw sienna and burnt umber to get just the right shade of brown for his hair. She’d combine azure and cobalt blue for his eyes.

Her heart skipped a beat, like it always did when she saw him, but today, it beat with extra urgency. She hated confrontation and avoided conflict at all costs, but she couldn’t avoid this. Sending an email or text would be easier, but she could never do that. He deserved to be told in person. He’d been a great boss for the past three years, better than great, but it was time to move on.

About a year ago, their relationship changed—at least it did for her. She’d started to have feelings of attraction toward Travis. In an effort to get his attention she did everything but ask him on a date. Apparently, he wasn’t interested. Oh sure, she dated other men, but they never made her mouth dry when they glanced at her.

Maybe she’d have wasted more years pining away for him if she hadn’t received an opportunity to work at an art gallery in Phoenix. It paid less, but the cost of living in Arizona would certainly be less than Alaska. And it was a chance to work in the art world she loved. The gallery owner was getting on in years and she needed help managing the day to day operations of the business. Maggie Cumberlidge had agreed to let Chryssa display her own work at the gallery, which was an added bonus.

Travis entered the small two story building which served as the main office for Tundra Air. They had a station in Anchorage as well, but Fairbanks was considered the hub. “Good morning, Chryssa.”

Chryssa’s office was right outside of Travis’. Sitting at her desk, she gave him a half smile. “Good morning. If we could have a moment to talk. I mean, whenever you have time today is fine.”

“Certainly.” Travis grinned before he gripped the coffee pot and poured the steaming liquid into a ceramic mug. He gestured toward his door. “Come in. No time like the present. I have no flights today.”

Of course, he wouldn’t make her wait, so she couldn’t practice the exact words she’d say forty more times today. No time like the present was right.

Time to move on—way past time. There was nothing for her in Fairbanks. It wasn’t like working for a commuter airline was every girl’s dream job, but it had been a great learning experience for her.

“Oh,” she said, “you’re waiting for me.”

He drank his coffee. He stared at her in speculation. She searched for any kind of attraction or interest in his eyes when he looked at her, but she knew she’d find none. She looked for any sign to stay. She swallowed the hard knot of nerves in her throat and sighed. He never viewed her as a woman—only an employee.

He nodded and raised a brow. “You said you needed to talk to me.”

She stood up and brushed her hands against her cotton floral skirt. “Yes, yes, I did.”

Travis gestured for her to sit in the chair across from his desk. An oversized window looked over the airport and the main terminal’s tower in the background.

She quit looking outside and brushed again at the wrinkles that didn’t exist on her skirt, then sat down.

Travis rounded the end of the desk, sank back into his chair, and took another drink of his coffee.

“Is everything okay? You look…I don’t know…are you worried about something? Has one of the ramp agents driven into the side of one of our planes again? If they did, just go ahead and tell me. No point in protecting them.”

“No, nothing like that.” She found it endearing that he said “our” planes…like they owned the fleet together, which was completely ridiculous thinking on her part. The only “our” he meant was in regard to his family—his mother, three brothers, and sister, not her. They were the “our” she wished she could be a part of, but she’d finally realized that would never happen.

The job offer she’d received was a sign. It had to be.

He took another swallow of coffee before setting the cup down. Leaning forward with his elbows on the desk, he asked, “What is it, Chryssa? Something’s troubling you. I can tell.”

Oh god, why did he have to be so nice? So attentive—at least as far as a boss went. He really did notice things—just not her as a woman. “I’m okay, really, it’s just that…”

“It’s not Niles, is it? He’s okay, right?”

Chryssa laughed despite herself. Only Travis would ask about the health of her parakeet. She shook her head. “Niles is fine. He’s just fine. It’s me actually.” Don’t hesitate another second, just say it. “I’ve got an amazing opportunity, and I’m afraid I can’t pass it up.”

He narrowed his gaze. He was a smart guy. She didn’t need to spell it out, but she would. “This has been a great job for me. I’ve learned so much, but my art is really important to me and I’ve been offered a job in Arizona. In Phoenix, at a gallery there. I’ve loved working for you, but it’s time for me to move on.”

He stared at her a bit longer and she couldn’t tell if he was angry or sad or just baffled about her statement.

She took a deep breath and forged ahead. “I can stay two more weeks, but I think Daphne will be able to take over my duties in no time. She’s really smart. If I can get her up to speed, I’d prefer to leave by Friday.”

He blinked several times. He opened his mouth to speak, then he closed it again, saying nothing.

“Is that okay with you?” She peered across the desk at him, puzzled. “It’s not like you to be so quiet.”

“I—I…I’m just surprised. I didn’t think you were unhappy here.”

How could he think that? Apparently, he wasn’t listening to a word she just said. “I’ve been very happy here, Travis. This has nothing to do with happiness.” Well, it sort of did, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.

“Then why are you leaving?” He asked the question as if she hadn’t just said the reason a couple of seconds ago.

Wow. He really was shocked. Apparently, he never thought she would leave. In many ways, she thought she’d never leave either. She’d been given so much freedom to make executive decisions based on her knowledge of Tundra Air. Travis had completely trusted her. He had to feel let down on some level, so she would tread carefully. But at twenty-seven years old, she needed to pursue some of her own interests and dreams. A dream that didn’t include wishing Travis would take notice of her.

It was well past time to buck-up and take control of her life. She sat straighter in her chair. “I’ve accepted another job. It’s in Arizona. I’m leaving Alaska.”

He shook his head as though wanting to erase what she’d just said. “I’m…You’ll be missed, Chryssa. I hardly know what to say. I wish you the best of luck.”

Sadness or maybe disappointment shone in his eyes. She never wanted to disappoint Travis. She had the sudden urge to say never mind, she’d stay, but that would be wrong for her.

She wasn’t sure what finally made her start applying for other jobs six months ago. Maybe it was the surprise birthday party Travis had thrown for her at the office. He’d been so sweet, so attentive, so boss-like that she knew she had to leave. He’d never look at her as anything other than a boss looking at a trusted employee.

“Thank you, Travis. This isn’t easy for me. I’ve lived in Alaska my entire life. I didn’t plan on leaving, but this gallery…Well, it’s a great opportunity for me to work in the art world. It’s time for me to pursue my passion, even if it’s very unlikely that it will go anywhere.”

A confused and disbelieving look still marred his all too handsome features. “What do you mean?”

“Well, my paintings aren’t earning me any money. At least not in recent years, but I hope someday that will change. In fact, it won’t change if I don’t make a change.”

He stood, his wheeled office chair sliding behind him. “I’m happy to pay you for the paintings you’ve put up here in the office. I didn’t know you wanted payment for them.”

She stood too, placing her hands on his desk. “No, I don’t want you to pay me. If anything, it’s been a great way of advertising. I hung them up for my own selfish reasons. I’ve gotten some requests from clients who’ve seen them. Those paintings are gifts for you and your family.”

He paced across the room and stood in front of the window that faced the tarmac. “I didn’t realize you wanted to paint professionally.”

He knew about her parakeet, but not her desire to paint as a career. She found that interesting and a little bit annoying. Apparently, he thought she’d just work for him the rest of her life. “Yes, I do.”

He swung around. “I didn’t realize that.”

Little stabs of guilt pierced her heart. She knew this wouldn’t be easy, but she never imagined it would feel quite this awful. “I’m not a professional, but I would love nothing more than to support myself as an artist. I’ve received formal training. Selling my artwork as a way to make a living is a really tall order, I know, but at least if I work in an art gallery in an artsy type of town, I might have a better chance at success.” She took a step closer to him. “Does that make sense?”

“It makes perfect sense.” His eyebrows turned inward. “I just didn’t realize.”

She stood in awkward silence for a moment, not knowing whether to say more or to just leave. She opted for the latter and turned. “Okay, well, I’ll just get back to it then.”

“Chryssa?”

She stopped. “Yes?”

“As soon as Daphne is able to take over your duties, you’re free to go. You don’t need to give me a full two weeks. It’s not necessary.” He stepped closer to her, crossed his arms, then rubbed his chin. “You’ll be greatly missed.”

“Thank you.” She shut the door to his office, but the knot in her stomach remained.

She passed her own desk and went to the main office and customer entrance.

Daphne looked up from her desk. “How did it go?”

Chryssa approached the petite brown-haired administrative assistant. She’d started with Tundra Air under an internship program through the university. Last month she’d graduated with her business degree and decided to stay on.

“It went all right,” Chryssa said. “A small part of me feels like I’m letting down Tundra Air.”

Daphne stood. “But you know that’s irrational, right? You have every right to pursue a new life elsewhere, where hopefully you’ll work as an artist full-time.”

“I know. You’re right. I probably should have told him when I started looking for a new position, but for all I knew I wouldn’t have found anything. The only reason I told you this morning is because you were here early.” Chryssa sighed. “He said I could leave just as soon as you’re up to speed on everything. So I know that should only take a few days.” She sat halfway on the edge of Daphne’s desk. “There isn’t anything you don’t know except some passwords, and I’ll need to go over the new fueling contracts with you. Then I may as well get to packing up my apartment.”

“Your flight reservation isn’t for another two weeks though, right?”

“That’s right, but if I get everything caught up around here, then I think I’ll take some time off. I’ll take my time packing.” She shrugged. “And heck, I can take some time to relax here in town, before I start my new venture.”

“I’m happy for you. I’ll miss you, but I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks, Daph. I’ll miss you too.” And she meant it. She’d never been away from Alaska, but it was time. She had to put the past behind her and move forward. It hurt too much being here with Travis, a man who never thought of her as anything more than a friend and employee. Especially since her surprise birthday party when she’d realized she was falling in love with him.