Gary is there, and even when he doesn’t participate as much as I would like to, we come up with a great presentation. We’re missing a few details, but I don’t think they are necessary for the presentation.

When I bring that up, Devon says, “Claire is the master in social media. That can be her project. Gary is already working on the stuff for the next client. The drafts I saw blew me away.”

I nod.

“We have to finish a couple of things once I arrive,” I say, closing the programs. “We appreciate team players like you, Gary.”

“Sir, I’m just here to do my job. My goal is to have a career in this company.”

After I finish Skyping with Devon, I try not to think much about Gary’s excitement. It’s obvious that, like Claire, he wants the new Marketing and Media position we created. My personal life has never interfered with my job. Nothing will change just because I slept with one of the contenders.

Gary is already working on the second campaign...but it’s not fair to Claire. Shit. He just got me out of a fucking mess. As I’m thinking about what’s to come, I realize I’m on a plane heading back home and left what could’ve been the best week of my life.

This never ends, the company keeps coming before my personal life. How am I supposed to separate one from the other, when the woman I’m dating works for me? Am I ever going to delegate my responsibilities and just live my life?

Claire comes back into my internal discussion. Why did she refuse to send the drafts?

That’s yet another big problem. How am I supposed to handle this incident?

If Claire and I weren’t together, I would either fire her or put her under probation. I can’t understand why she failed us. She’s so efficient.

I browse the pictures of my phone, staring at her beautiful face, and wondering if she’s right about taking a break from the routine and just enjoying myself. Look what might happen to her and her future. My heart beats fast as I think about us and our future and then, I finally ask the dumbest question.

Was it worth it to leave her?

I repeat the same words I told her. Our relationship is separate from the company. I had an emergency, and she has to understand this won’t be the first or last time.

We’ll deal once she’s back on Thursday. I’ll make sure to pick her up from the airport with flowers and the biggest teddy bear I can find. We’ll go on our first date and figure out our future.

“We’ll make it work,” I promise again, even when she’s not here.