by Claire Angel
*
Mom felt well enough on Saturday to do some shopping, and I appreciated her handicapped parking perks as we made our way to her favorite stores. We grabbed some food that we were running low on and a new tea kettle to replace the broken one. I loved her good days. It reminded me of all the time we spent together before she got sick, laughing over lunch, and sharing a piece of cake.
“Brenna?” I turned my head at hearing my name, smiling when I saw Jack.
“Hello,” I told him, tucking my credit card into my purse as we stood up. “What are you doing here?”
“I am just grabbing some lunch with my brother, Nate. He should be somewhere around here,” he said, extending a hand to Mom. “You must be Brenna’s mom, though you look too young to be her.” They shook hands as Mom blushed.
“Kelly Blair. Are you Jack?” Mom asked, and he nodded. “You’re as charming as my daughter told me you were.” She gave me a knowing smile, and I rolled my eyes.
“Indeed, I am,” he replied, kissing her hand with a smirk.
“Jack, stop flirting with everyone. I’m hungry!” a voice called as I laughed.
“There’s my cue. I will see you at work on Monday, Brenna.” He grinned, and I replied in kind before he turned to make his way across the restaurant.
“He’s cute,” Mom observed, staring at me.
“Yes, he is, but we’re just friends,” I reminded her, finding it odd that I was picturing Seth. Mom should see him. I led her to the door so that we could head home, and I glanced over to see that he was walking to the left of us and around the corner.
What was happening?
Chapter 3
Seth
I walked around the corner, hoping that Brenna wouldn’t see me. I watched her in the restaurant as Jack Miller flirted with the woman that she was with, offering many smiles to my assistant in the process. He had enough fans in the office, and charming her wasn’t something I felt would end well. I knew that he went out with other employees on the weekends, many women, and Brenna was better than that.
I knew that I had a fixation on her that might border on being unhealthy, but Brenna Blair intrigued me. I ran a successful company and made that my focus, but I was thrown off when she interviewed for my assistant position. She was beautiful, for one, but her college and high school stats were impressive. She earned top grades in both with a healthy amount of extracurricular activities and groups. Brenna was a well-rounded woman and intelligent from her first sentence, making me aware that she was the one for me.
I still looked back with regret when I spilled the coffee on her, but I needed to keep my tough front going. I just pushed through, and Brenna impressed me when she kept going without mentioning any of it. That sealed the deal for me, though, I should replace the dress that I likely ruined. I paid her well, though. She could buy another one.
“Seth Morgan. How are you, buddy?” I glanced up to see a former frat brother of mine.
“Clint! It’s been a while. How are you?” I asked, returning his brief hug. We went through hell and back in college, and he always had my back.
“Just working in the stock market industry. How about you?” he asked as I glanced behind me for a quick look to see if Brenna saw me.
“IT assistance at Parson and James. I’ve been there for ten years now.” Clint clapped me on the back, congratulating me. “There have been a few promotions along the way.”
“I always knew that you’d make it far. You actually studied in school,” Clint teased me as I thought back to the things I missed. I had a struggling single mother for my only parent and never took my full ride for granted. I also didn’t do it with her. Mom had a cottage on the water just across town.
“I didn’t have a choice in the matter. Mom worked too hard to keep us above water.” I grinned at him. “We still had a lot of fun.”
“I remember. Are you married or anything?” I asked, still as single as I’d been back then. I enjoyed the company of a female like any other man, just not on a long-term basis.
“Married last year and expecting our first baby in three months. I can’t wait.” Clint beamed, and I wondered if the sacrifice was worth the gain. “You?”
“I’m married to my job. I don’t have time for relationships,” I informed him as Clint’s face fell.
“It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy it. You haven’t met the right woman?” Clint asked as I shrugged. Why did I imagine Brenna in my mind?
“I suppose not.” He nodded thoughtfully, reaching for his phone. “It’s the wife. Give me your number, and we’ll get together.”
Clint entered his number into mine, sending himself a text before he excused himself. I pocketed the phone, heading towards the clothing store for a few new shirts as I played back our conversation.
Wife.
Baby.
Commitments.
The idea made me shudder, but I couldn’t judge him for his choices. We all made different ones. I went into the store to make my purchases, leaving to go home after I finished. I watched as Jack headed to his car with a man that resembled him a lot, making me assume that he was his brother. As he laughed, I narrowed my eyes and longed for him to disappear from Brenna's life. Maybe I should make her work through lunch a few times this coming week so she would stay in the office for lunch.
Once they were gone, I slipped into my Tesla and left the parking lot. I drove to the condo that I purchased two years ago with a direct view of the water and walking distance to shops and restaurants. It was a great move on my part, even though Mom told me that I should purchase a house over something in a building. I preferred something low maintenance over having a yard and responsibilities, at least for now. The perfect house and white picket fence didn't appeal to me at all.
I hung the shirts in my closet before grabbing a beer from the fridge. I planned to order in dinner and watch the basketball game here at home tonight, and I stepped out onto the balcony to look over the view.
I had everything I could ever want in the world after growing up middle class. I gave my mom everything that she deserved, and here I was in Seattle, working for one of the best firms in my industry.
Am I missing a relationship? Do I need more friends in my life?
Maybe, but for now, I felt content with everything.
I always went to Mom’s place for Sunday dinner. It was a strict tradition that she stuck to, and I loved her cooking. My sister, who was three years younger than me without a single memory of our loser father, lived with Mom, and I adored Andie. I purchased a cake from her favorite bakery, picking up my daughter from her mother’s house to bring her along. It was my week with Abby, though, I always took her to Mom’s place.
My ex Christy loved my mom when we were together, but I was happy they no longer talked. I would prefer not to talk to her but had to for the sake of co-parenting.
We walked into the house, and Abby made a beeline for Grandma. I smiled as I followed the small blonde girl through the house, hearing voices in the kitchen. “Bee!” my mom squealed, using Abby’s nickname from the time she loved bees as a toddler. I smelled the lasagna cooking and stepped into the kitchen to see Mom spinning my daughter in a circle.
“Seth, you’re finally here.”
“I’m early, Mama.” I set the cake down as my sister’s eyes followed the box, grinning at her. I hugged her, watching as Abby jumped to the ground and threw her arms around Andie’s legs.
We sat down to dinner and caught up on our weeks. Andie worked as the manager of a local art gallery and painted a bit herself. She glowed when she told me that she’d be having her own show soon, and I told her to make sure she told me the date.
Mom didn’t work, thanks to me, but she did volunteer in the NICU as a baby cuddler. I saw the ad online and told her about it, so she signed up and loved it. She told me and mostly Abby about the new infants as Abby’s blue eyes bugged out of her head.
“Are you still running a tight ship?” Andie asked me as I took a
bite of the gooey lasagna, reminding myself to get a run in soon.
“You know it. What other way is there to handle employees?” I asked as my sister rolled her eyes that matched mine dramatically.
“I don’t know. Kindness? Positivity? Do you ever do anything for them?” Andie demanded as I nearly choked on my water.
“I pay them well, and they have the best benefits of anyone in the area. Isn’t that everything they need?” I asked, knowing it irritated Andie.
“Oh, Andie. Your brother can’t be that bad.” Mom looked at me as she pleaded with me to be joking about all of this.
“I wouldn’t doubt it,” Andie shot back, laughing at me. “I grew up with him!”
We finished dinner, and I washed the dishes while the girls caught up. I thought about Brenna and imagined her being here before closing my eyes. This needed to stop. I could admit that I wanted to fuck the girl, but thoughts of her meeting my family took it too far. Nobody met my daughter unless they were a close friend of mine, and I’d never brought a woman home to meet Mom.
I didn’t see that changing anytime soon.
I made sure we left at seven, so Abby would be in bed early for school the following morning. I dropped her off while my mom picked her up every day. Sometimes she brought her to the cottage and other times my condo, but I always picked Abby up at the end of the day if she wasn’t home.
Christie always bathed Abby on Sundays when she knew I’d be taking her to dinner, making it easier for me to get her to bed. We walked in the door at eight o’clock, and I told her to get her pajamas on and brush her teeth while I placed the leftovers in the fridge. I read a couple of books to her as she looked over my shoulder, then kissed her good night and closed her door. Abby was an excellent reader, but she loved being read to as well, and I’d do anything for that little girl. She might not have been planned since her mom was just a friend with benefits, but I wouldn’t trade her for the world.
I relaxed in front of the TV to catch up on scores with a beer, thinking ahead to the week. It was expected to be busier than usual, and I’d use it as a perfect excuse to get Brenna to stay in the office with me. As Andie pointed out over dinner, I didn’t often compliment people, but Brenna was exceptional in her knowledge. I imagined her leaving the job as my assistant to become a technician before too long if she chose that, but it paid more. It would be a smart move.
I’d make a point not to tell her that so I wouldn’t lose her. I was a selfish man and felt the need to protect Brenna from the world. I only felt that way with my family, so this was a strange feeling.
I went to bed at ten, setting the alarm after my shower. I needed to get Abby up in time for school and I needed to be at work on time and needed some sleep.
Chapter 4
Brenna
Monday morning came too soon. I hit snooze the first time the alarm went off, pulling the covers over my head. I needed to ask Seth for part of tomorrow off, and I dreaded it.
I showered and dressed in a green sheath dress with heels, hurrying to the kitchen for coffee. I brought Mom some, telling her there was food to heat up in the fridge before leaving for work. I sipped my coffee as I started the car, thinking about my weekend. Mom felt good for the last two days, so I was happy about that. We spent a lot of time together on Sunday, watching movies and ordering out as I did laundry and prepared for the following week. When I was younger, I stored it in my memory as I pulled out of the driveway.
There were a lot of cars headed into work. I sang along to the radio as I drove, pulling into the garage with several other vehicles. I ended up parking on the third story, choosing to walk the stairs for some exercise after all of the food I ate over the weekend.
I walked into the building, looking around as I approached the elevators. Jack wasn’t at the coffee stand, and I noticed him talking closely with Shelby, who worked on his team. She laughed as he said something, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. They were both holding coffee, and I wondered if he bought them or the clerk gave them to him for free.
I didn’t feel jealous in the traditional way. I just knew that she probably went this weekend, drinking and having fun with her friends as most people our age should do. It was something that I should do, and I looked away as I took a drink from my coffee.
“You’re better than that.” I jumped at the voice in my ear, turning to see Seth. He hurried forward as my mouth dropped open, stepping onto an elevator before I found the sense to close it.
“What just happened?” I asked softly, wondering if I dreamed about the incident.
Jack and Shelby boarded the next car, and I moved forward to wait in line for my own. I might be a couple of minutes late today, but after the miracle of Seth speaking to me, I didn’t care.
I was at my desk ten minutes later, having gotten stuck in the crowd. I turned on my computer, seeing that I was a couple of minutes late. I glanced into Seth’s office, seeing it open but empty. I locked my purse into a drawer, drank some more coffee, and pulled the protein bar out of my drawer for breakfast.
When he passed my door, I gazed at him until he sat down. Seth spoke to me, and I didn’t even know what he meant. I rose, pressing my hands down the front of my dress before standing at his door. “Mr. Morgan? I have a favor that I’d like to ask.”
“What is it, Miss Blair?” Seth asked, sipping his coffee as our eyes locked.
“My mother has a doctor's appointment tomorrow in the morning first thing and needs a ride there. Would it be okay for me to arrive a little late?”
I swallowed the lump in my throat as I spoke, and he seemed to consider his answer.
“You work hard, so I think that will be fine. Do you know what time you’ll be here, or would you like the day off?” That shocked me, and I widened my eyes.
“I’m thinking ten at the latest. It’s an early appointment.” I counted the hours in my head, nodding. “Yes, that should be how it works out. My father is working out of town, so I am the only one that can take her.”
“You’re an only child?” Seth asked as I nodded. “You sound like you’re good to your mom.”
“I try to be. She had been good to me .” An expression of warmth crossed his face for a moment before he looked away, reading something on the screen. “What did you mean out there in the lobby?”
“I saw your grades in school when I hired you. That’s the way to think in business, Miss Blair. Focus on how you can get ahead, and don’t worry about the inconsequential things.”
Did he know I was looking at Jack and Shelby, regretting parts of my life?
“You won’t get anywhere without hard work.”
“Yeah, I suppose so.” I turned to return to my office, glancing over to see Shelby going into the break room with another girl as they laughed together. Was hard work really the way to go, or should I be having fun as well?
I worked hard throughout the day, catching up on emails from the weekend. We had staff on call, but a lot of customers requested Seth for their problems. I pulled up the calendar, adding appointments to the black spot before answering some phone calls. I didn’t know why but it was swamped this Monday.
“Miss Blair?” Seth called out as I glanced at him. Between work and the music that was softly playing from my phone, I almost forgot that he was there. One glance in those tropical ocean eyes, and I wondered how I could ever forget him.
“Yes, sir?” I asked, reaching for my forgotten coffee.
“Can you work through lunch? I’ll order something in. It’s busier than expected today.” He watched as I nodded, looking back at his computer. “Sushi okay?”
My mother hated sushi, so this was a treat. “That’s perfect.”
He ordered it for delivery at twelve-thirty, and I smiled when the driver walked past me into Seth’s office. I rose, popping my head into the door to tell him that I would make some tea before eating, and he nodded as he handed the young man a bill.
I walked into the break room, frowning when I hear
d voices. I walked straight to the machine, popping a green tea pod into it before setting one of the generic cups under the spout. I pushed the button to start it, wandering to the fridge for one of the sodas provided for us. I felt the need for a lot of caffeine today since I suspected it would be a long one.
I glanced back as I grabbed the can, seeing Shelby with her friends at a table. She was talking about Friday and how much she thought Jack liked her, whispering that he went to lunch with his boss. That was an excellent excuse as to why he wasn’t here with her. I knew Jack wasn’t a fan of eating with everyone in here and agreed wholeheartedly.
My tea was made, and I grabbed it before returning to my desk. Seth insisted that I fix a plate, so I took one of the paper ones and set a few pieces of sushi on it, as well as a few pieces of edamame. “Thank you,” I told him as he nodded at me, busy on his computer.
I returned to my desk, taking calls and more emails. I couldn’t help but yawn after lunch, full and feeling lazy. I sipped my tea, continuing to work as I looked forward to my break.
I sent Mom a text that I’d be able to take her tomorrow, and she sent a smiley face back. It was times like this that I longed for a sibling, and I glanced at Seth on his phone as he worked on the computer. I wondered about his family, his parents, and then if he had siblings. He was a private man, and I blushed as he caught me staring at him.
I considered that I was also a private person, though Jack knew about me. I wondered if he mentioned anything to anyone else in the building, hoping that he knew I liked to keep things to myself. Why did I tell Seth that little bit about me?
I was thankful that he didn’t ask me to stay later tonight since I was looking forward to getting home. I decided to cook something for Mom tonight and take a bath before bed. I would get to sleep in a little while tomorrow due to the appointment. I even considered getting us coffee on the way for a special treat.
I walked into the house and looked to see Mom outside reading a book. I called out to her before pulling up a recipe on my phone, checking the directions quickly. I made it before, and we all loved it, so why not try it again?