Too Late for Regret (Annalise and Roger) novel Chapter 158

Laney’s POV

I was shocked by all the bags at the counter once I was checked out. I saw the lilac dress, but I had specifically told Ana that I wasn’t going to get it. I loved it, but right now, I really couldn’t afford to splurge like that.

“Ana, I thought I decided against the lilac dress,” I told her in a low tone. I was going to pay them back, and as much as I loved it, I had nowhere to wear it. There was no need for a dress like that, not just yet.

“You did, but I bought it for you as a gift. It looks like it was made for you, and you never know when a dress like that will come in handy,” Ana replied. “Once you start getting out more, I’m sure someone will ask you out in no time.”

I saw Seth look at her, as if he wanted to say something, but he held back whatever he was going to say. Ana had mentioned that Charlie was on his way to meet us, but the SUV we came in was now full of clothing. The back, and even the seat I had been sitting in earlier. I was about to ask if Charlie was meeting us here. That way Ana could ride with him. I was happy to ride with Rita and Jon. Instead, Ana asked Seth to drive me home.

“Wait, isn’t Charlie coming?” I asked.

“No, he’s meeting us there,” Ana replied without missing a beat.

“I don’t want to put Seth out. I can hold some of the bags in my lap on the way there,” I responded.

“Don’t worry, I don’t bite, Laney,” Seth told me. He was standing right behind me, but then he leaned forward and said in a lower tone, “Unless you’d like me to.”

I scoffed at his words. How am I supposed to get into the car with him now? He’s just a big flirt. I’ve seen him in the cafeteria. Women throw themselves at him all the time. He’s only flirting with me now because I look more acceptable to him. I’m not falling for it. It’s best to stay as far away from him as I can. Nothing good can come from dating him.

I know that he’s just toying with me. He wouldn’t embarrass his family by marrying someone like me. He’s a Caldwell; I wouldn’t even dare to dream about it. I won’t be falling for any line he’s going to try on me. I know better than to add my name to the long list of women he’s been with. I’ve seen his name attached to several women just in the last five years.

Seth just smiled at me and motioned to his car parked just up the row from Ana’s SUV. He held the door open for me, and his smile grew as he looked down at me. He could tell that I hated riding with him, and for some reason, my anger amused him. I was giving him the cold shoulder now. I’m going to pay him back. Even if I have to pay him $1,000 a month to get it done.

I knew what he was trying to do. But I’m not just going to be another notch on his bedpost. He shut the door after I got settled and ran around the front of the car. The SUV was waiting for us to follow. Since when did they know where I lived? That’s not good. Now they’ll see my house, and I’m suddenly glad that it’s dark. I didn’t want to be embarrassed about the obvious repairs our house needed. I had just paid off Mom’s hospital bills. The home improvements were next. I texted Micah that I was coming home and that I would need him and Andrew to help me carry in some bags.

Andrew texted a thumbs up, but Micah always responds, “We got you, Sis.”

“Are you excited to start as CEO in two weeks?” Seth asked when I put my phone in my purse.

“I’m excited, but the time will go fast. I will take the time to train my replacement and hand over everything. It will take at least that long to get my notes together for the group that I would like to take with us. You’re father is allowing us to take six employees with us. Do you have anyone besides your assistant that you would like to bring?” I asked.

I’m willing to be professional and have this discussion with him. I need to know who he thought would do well at the new company. But Mr. Caldwell had already told me that if Seth starts dating employees again at CB Finance, to let him know. I agreed with that, as it would look bad for the CEO to be dating his employees. It would be a nightmare for the legal department, and we just can’t allow it to happen.

Correction, I won’t stand by and allow him to do that when my name is tied to his. I was going to take this opportunity to tell him right now, so it’s kept private.

“Please, don’t ask for either of the two women you dated from the secretarial pool. They’re already on their final written warning for getting into a fight at work over you. I’m not trying to tell you what to do here, Seth. It’s actually noted in the handbook, we can’t have anything like that happen at CB Finance. It would be disastrous, as we’re responsible for everything that happens there. I want the company to succeed. It will reflect well on both of us if we’re successful. So, I’m begging you, find someone outside of work to date. You can’t date any more subordinates,” I asserted.

We had just stopped at a traffic light when I finished. He turned to look at me like he couldn’t believe that I would say something like that to him. Why wouldn’t I? He has dated subordinates. He needs to know that it violates the rules, and I’m not going to let him drag me down with him. We’re both responsible for what happens there. I won’t risk my future because he wants to chase women. I have to make sure I can pay my bills. With the increase in pay that I’m about to get, things are really looking up, and I won’t let him ruin it for me. He wouldn’t be ruined; he’s a Caldwell. He would still be fine. But my name would bear the brunt of the scandal, even if I had nothing to do with it.

“Why would you think I would bring either of them along? They pushed too hard and showed me exactly why they were chasing after me. I don’t want them, and I wouldn’t ask you to do that. I’ve had nothing to do with them for the last several months. I haven’t dated anyone in the last five months. I want to make this venture a success, too. I’m going to follow your lead and get ready to take over for Dad when he steps down, or let you take over. I’m taking this as seriously as you are, Laney. I made a mistake, but I know better now. You don’t have to worry about me dating a subordinate again,” Seth replied, looking me dead in the eyes.

He was being serious. His smile was smooth, and the way he looked at me was making my heart race again. Since when was Seth reasonable? This wasn’t like him at all. So either he’s telling me what I wanted to hear, or he’s seriously going to try to be a good CEO. I was betting on the former, but he was being really nice tonight. He paid for everything, and the total was much more than I anticipated. I didn’t know what was in the bags yet, but I knew it took the five of us to carry them out. I saw him pay for it before I could stop him. I didn’t want to owe him anything. I didn’t mind owing Ana, but it was different with Seth. Don’t ask me to explain why, it just was.

“I wasn’t trying to upset you, Seth. I’m sorry. I see you’re telling me the truth. I will help you out, so you’re ready to take over when the time comes. I just wanted to warn you to stay out of the tabloids, so the company doesn’t get involved,” I responded.

“Again, I haven’t been in the tabloids for a long time, Laney. Why are you holding that against me? I’ve changed since you started training me. I come to work on time, and I stay until you leave. I have been doing a great job for the last two months, yet you refuse to acknowledge it. I haven’t messed up in months. You need to stop looking down on me. I don’t look down on you. Can’t we call a truce, Laney? I won’t argue with you again, well, not unless you want me to,” Seth replied with a wink.

Am I in some sort of alternate universe or something? What the heck is going on with Seth? The light changed, and he followed Ana’s SUV. What was that comment, and that wink, supposed to mean? He was focused on the road, and I took a minute to take him in without him knowing. He was admittedly very handsome. The problem was, he knew it. He’s infuriatingly cocky about it. He had his mother’s blonde hair and his father’s blue eyes, and it was a lethal combination. He looked great in his suit, and I knew from the rumors flying around work, he looked even better out of it.

That’s why those women were fighting. They each blamed the other for causing him to dump them. They were willing to lose a good–paying job just to try to get back with him. It didn’t matter how good he was in bed. I didn’t want any of them coming after me, angry that he wanted to date me. That also didn’t mean I was willing to put up with hearing other women talk about his s****l exploits. I shuddered at the thought of being confronted at work by either of them before I could transfer to the new company. I’ve managed to make do all this time on my own. I didn’t need to get tangled up with Seth. I needed to keep my job and benefits.

I could see that Ana was trying to push us together, and I don’t know why. But I’m sure her father would have an issue with it. As much as I appreciate all that they’ve done for me today. I’m just not willing to date Seth Caldwell for any reason. What would be the purpose? I wanted to find a good guy and settle down. Seth is a large child and is having too much fun right now. I doubt that he will ever settle down. Why would he? He can continue down this path for another ten years before he would even consider marriage.

No, I’m just going to stay in my lane. I will keep my head down and keep doing what I have been doing for the last seven years. Paying down the bills and taking care of my brothers. I should be debt–free in three years, or sooner, as my pay is about to double. I won’t be guilted into taking Seth on in any capacity other than as a fellow CEO. That’s all we can ever be. I won’t be falling for his flirty act. Seth Caldwell would never be interested in me,