#Chapter 26: The Truth

Aria Darren insisted on taking me home that night. “I can take the subway, you know,” I said as I grabbed my coat off the hook. “You don’t have to go out of your way.” The CEO shot me a bemused expression. “I’m not letting you take the subway this late. It’s dangerous for a woman.” I couldn’t help the way my cheeks flushed at that. Such a gentleman… But of course, he had to offset it with a flippant, “I wouldn’t let any of my employees endanger themselves like that.” At that, I bit back the urge to roll my eyes. Of course he always had to make this about employees; but I supposed that was all I was, wasn’t I? Sure, maybe I was his ‘mate’, but that didn’t mean anything. Not really. And why did I want it to, anyway? By the time we pulled up to my curb, it was nearly ten o’clock. Darren put the car in park and walked me to my door. My neighborhood was perfectly safe as far as city blocks go, but I had to admit that I appreciated the extra effort a